LouBon

I was looking through the local onlice classifieds ( canberra ) and saw this....... "Five yr old golden male cocker spaniel available for stud duties. Beautiful looking, wonderful temperment, excellent example of breed. Our vet recommended we breed from him as he was the best cocker she had come across in her practice." ......I didn't know vets were breed assessors now.

Thanks everyone. The lab is having a shoulder x ray. He is about 3 years old and has a bad limp. The vet wants to xray the shoulder. She will of course pay regardless to find out what is causing it, but I just thought that 400 sounded a little on the high side. Then again, I've only ever had smaller animals xrayed at about $20- $30 for 2 views.

Hi all, After some advice for my sister please. She needs an xray for her lab done and was quoted $400. Does this sound about right? He may have to be sedated. Also, can anyone recommend a good vet north east of Melbourne? Many thanks.

"Banning the shop sale of pets from reputable breeders would lead to a surge in the number of animals purchased through the internet, at markets and over the back fence." What a joke. Stanhope obviously hasn't bothered to check where pet shop animals are sourced. It's my understanding that this legislation only refers to animals sold in pet shops, not through registered breeders.

This out today from Chief Ministers Dept.......... "Greens' pet crackdown could worsen animal welfare" Released 20/12/2010 Chief Minister Jon Stanhope believes new Green legislation proposed by Caroline Le Couteur MLA could make it more difficult to monitor the activities of unscrupulous pet breeders and traders looking to sell pets to ACT residents. "Greens legislation tabled in the Assembly last week directly targets ACT pet shops in, an industry that is responsible for only 14% of pet sales and is already one of the most accountable and closely regulated sectors in the Territory," Mr Stanhope said. "The Greens' proposal would create laws where dogs and cats for sale can only be sourced from animal shelters and must be removed from shops each night. "Banning the shop sale of pets from reputable breeders would lead to a surge in the number of animals purchased through the internet, at markets and over the back fence. These are the channels where it is most difficult to monitor breeding and keeping conditions; to track, chip and desex animals; and to ensure appropriate advice on care and pet-owners obligations is provided. It is also the most difficult area to ensure customers can come back to the supplier if there are issue after sale or if they require advice. "A permit is already required to keep a domestic pet entire to allow it to breed in the ACT. The Greens' proposal to create mandatory breeding licences is already in development in the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and is being developed with a mind to ensuring such a licence would not result in increases to the illegal breeding of animals. "The Greens' proposal will have unintended consequences if introduced as proposed. The Animal Welfare Act is intended to be a general document that protects the welfare of all animals. Regulations and codes of practice operate under the Act which provide for the welfare of different types of animals. By seeking to legislate in detail for specific animals within the Act itself the Green's Bill effectively dilutes the broad protection the Act offers. "On my request earlier this year the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has commenced a review of the voluntary Code of Practice for the Breeding and Sale of Animals (other than from saleyards) to include mandatory provisions. Separately Mary Porter MLA has referred to the Committee a draft Discussion Paper which examines complementary measures to foster improvements in the breeding, sale and keeping of pets. "While Ms Le Couteur maintains that she has consulted with the sector I understand the Bill has come as a complete surprise to the majority of members on the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee - which includes representatives of the key animal welfare and industry organisations. The Greens' Bill seeks to address in a very partial manner the very issues to which the Committee is currently giving its expert attention as it reviews Code of Practice for the Breeding and Sale of Animals (other than from saleyards) and Mary Porter's draft discussion paper. "The Greens' have thrown out a proposal that is poorly conceived and targeted, is the result of narrow consultation and has the potential to lead to worse conditions for the very animals it seeks to save, Mr Stanhope said. Media Contact: Kanchan Dutt 6205 8500 0401 563 532 [email protected]

Using Dettol is pathetically cruel and unnecessary. Imagine being sprayed with strong Hydrochloric acid and left for dead. Its stupid that people still bother to suggest this. People should have the guts to kill them instantly or in the fridge. If not, walk away and let someone else do it.

Yes I just saw that and am still teary. I hope to god that that man didn't sacrifice his life for nothing and that dog is adopted by a loving family. So sad, that dear man.

Recieved this morning. So true! 1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. 2. Give me time to understand what you want of me 3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. 4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you. 5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. 6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. 7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you. 8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak. 9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old. 10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Bit off topic her but just to add...they are quite hard to tell apart as both male and female have a cloaca and concealed sex organs within it. Lots of people confuse the cloaca for a penis. The females pouch is only visible if she pregnant or lactating so what appears to be male can quite easily be a female! They are incredibly intelligent, fascinating animals, thanks for the pics!

We use them in the farm shed (2) and find them really effective. Can't hear them at all. You just have to remember to turn them off every now and then and on again so that they don't get used to the noise. Nice and easy. Traps don't always kill properly/quickly, I know people don't care about rodents but I do and will never use traps or bait.

Those slimy creeps at Banksia P P, bet they are rubbing their greedy hands together in glee waiting for the orders to roll in... but what they don't realise is that they have just exposed their own greed and revolting practices on national television. Hooray for the dense idiots. PS..... You can send them a comment through their website too!!!! very handy

Hi all, sorry if this topic has been done to death, but does anyone know if there is a restriction on numbers of animals ( dogs and cats in particular) allowed to be in a pet shop at one side? I have just had my daily afternoon check past a pets hell petshop and they are CHOCKAS with pups and kittens. I counted 9 kittens in one glass tank and 5 pups in another.

K9angel thank you for all your work for this boy (and the girls!!!) you are a very kind soul

Any news for Bailey?

You can get simple plans for a possum box from your local RSPCA or Parks and Wildlife. If the dogs will continually bark at them outside as well, ask a nice neighbour if they will house the possum box in their garden. I have known many people who have used this method successfully- possum safe- not too far from it's territory and dog quiet... If you would like me to send you these plans, just pm me.

Particular issue- he mentioned to me was that he barks continuously at strangers entering the house and is very protective of the owners. Maltese cross I think, rescue dog, about 2 yrs ...He asked what to do and all I could think was to refer him to professionals. They are willing to undertake proper training and do the hard yards. There could of course be other issues but this is the one that I am aware of. Edited for spelling

Can anyone suggest any reputable contacts in Canberra? Needing to give details to a workmate. Sorry I'm being lazy not looking myself, busy day at work today.... Thanks .

Good on you for rescuing. Jump onto the rescue thread here on DOL if you haven't already and post in there, i'm sure you will get lots of feedback.

I have had the most horrible start to the new year and a need to share thius story in the hope that I can stop feeling so traumatised by the event that took place yesterday. I was coming back from a camping trip with my partner and our friend. His car had broken down that morning and in order to meet the NRMA (and get phone reception to call them) out on the main sealed road, we offered to tow him down the 20km dirt track that we were camping along. My partner was driving at about 20-30kms towing our friend and I was driving about 50m behind them. As we came out onto the sealed road, we passed one of the few houses that are scattered along that road. I saw our friend (who was steering the car being towed) swerve his car right onto the other side of the road as far as the tow strap would allow. Just as I wondered what had happened I saw a jack russel sort of bounce off his front tyre. It had darted out between my partners car in front and the car being towed. Our friend was screaming out to my partner to stop and I pulled over straight away and ran to the poor little thing. I could see that he was seizuring- almost dead already and blood was pouring out of his mouth so I ran to the house and was knocking frantically on their door calling out. I could hear screaming so I ran back out to the road, and two women had run from the side of the house and over to the dog. They were really crying out and screaming, and my friend was distraught asking them what he could do. One woman just kept yelling at me " this is the worst thing you could have done!! This is the worst thing you could have done!!" and the other woman sort of thrust the dog towards my friend, his little neck dangling and broken and said angrily "look- there is nothing you can do !!" Then the other woman yelled at us to "just piss off!" The two kept screaming and crying. I was in shock from just seeing this poor baby be killed let alone being yelled at like we had deliberately killed her dog. I was crying and shaking, and in stead of explaining what had happened- how the dog had run out in a split second and that my friend had tried to swerve him, I just said that we were so sorry. She yelled again to "piss off" so I did. I shakily walked back to my car and pulled over up the road to get a grip. I've been playing the whole incident in my head since yesterday. Has anyone else had a reaction like this before? I understand that they were grieving for the dog and I would have been completely irrational too, but I really didn't expect the anger. I'm so upset and the more I think about it the more I'm trying to tell myself that the dog should have been locked up .. but It's still upsetting. Just to add- they didn't see the accident, but only ran out after hearing our friend yelling out to stop the car.

I am a wildlife rescuer, and let me tell you the amount of scalped, savaged and mauled possums I have come across as a result of dog attacks is sickening. The are native animals for goodness sake, dogs are NOT. People will happily hate cats for their hunting- but in my experience, dogs can be just as bad. Keep your dog inside (just as cat owners should) if it attacks wildlife. Oh, and i'm sure if people saw the orphaned 30 gram babies they wouldn't think it such a novelty !!! As for those people who shoot possums or encourage their dogs to savage them, you are breaking the law. Don't like possums? DONT LIVE IN AUSTRALIA (edited for spelling)