mita

That OP statement comes from the national body of the RSPCA. There are bright spots in Qld where both Dogs Qld & the state's RSPCA are working with the University of Qld on a number of matters. And it's from one of these ventures that research has uncovered the fact that registered breeders are more in control of what they're doing in breeding & raising puppies. As in, socialising them far better & producing far less accidental litters. Also the Australian Cattle Dog Club has cooperated in ground-breaking research re deafness in dogs. OK, this doesn't mean that all genetically-based conditions are thereby wiped out....but it does up the chances that there's some responsible decision-making amongst registered breeders. So, it's not surprising that, in this Qld scene, , the RSPCA Qld's Campaign Courier for February, 2010, contains this advice to the pet-buying public: "If you are considering adoption, why not visit the RSPCA or another reputable rescue organisation first. If you are seeking a specific breed then we recommend you find a responsible breeder. " The national organisation, the ANKC, needs to register a complaint about the OP statement as it's a product of the national body of the RSPCA. And appears under their banner

It makes me reach for a red pen. This fails the reasoning test... First, it states definitely there's a wide range of serious welfare problems in pedigree dog breeds in Australia. But further down it says the extent of these problems is unknown. Did the writer have short-term memory problems that they forgot they were now contradicting their opening statement? What they've managed to say is, 'We definitely know there's a lot of problems with pedigree dogs in Australia....but we don't actually know that.' The nonsense continues when it's said there is no evidence to indicate that they are significantly different from those (problems) experienced overseas. There cant be any science in the background, because well-taught students learn to chant...no evidence, is not evidence. In other words, you can't say something is definitely so, on the grounds there's no evidence about it . Chant again, children, No evidence, is not evidence. Then they dig themselves further into the pit: It's said that the only major difference between the pedigree population here in Australia & that of the UK (purportedly riddled with problems), is that we have fewer dogs. NO......there are differences in the gene pools. The UK folk only have to pop across to Denmark, where a rigorous study found that the dogs with the highest longevity level.....were a bunch of pure breeds. Including a breed like the Dachshund, which copped flack from the media dramatists in the UK for having all the weird body shapes....long back, short legs. Meanwhile, even further away, in Australia....we, too, have differences in the gene pools. (A p/b tibbie is sitting at my feet, with Scandavian dogs in her pedigree!!! Tibbie next door has New Zealand dogs. Friends tibbie, has Singaporean). Ah.....but the article says, there are similar breeding pratices here in Australia as in the media-judged UK. Really? Are they once again offering no evidence, as evidence? This piece of writing seems to have been written in the shadow of the UK stuff. Logic is ignored to claim.....yep all that stuff is definitely here in Australia, too. See, kiddies, what you can do when you don't use science? Make any links you like. No evidence required. In fact, no evidence can actually be used to become evidence. The ANKC should register a strong protest about 'information' written like this.

Yes, it's your choice. I've looked after other people's tibbies for short & long periods. They've been happy living alongside our tibbies....who teach them the ropes. They're no bother because they all sort of look after each other. I agree that once the visiting dog's got used to this....it couldn't give a damn once the owner's gone.

I hear what you're saying, ILK. And those of us who agree with the idea, would agree with you that it must be well planned in order to work on behalf of the animals. AWL Qld has it nailed to be the best it can be. All their checks & balances, which would apply at their shelter, apply at their Pet Adoption Centres. The store acts solely as another location. An example. A retired lady we know recently lost her elderly much-loved cat (ex-rescue). She would, in the near future, love a new cat and watches the AWL website with interest, because they have such healthy & well-socialised cats. But she's past the point of driving all the way to the AWL Gold Coast Shelter. So she picks out the ones that are at the Pet Adoption Centre which is only a 20 minute drive. She tells us she has her folder of info to take with her for the screening interview, when she finally makes a decision, along with a vet reference.

Those photos are gorgeous. That's one much loved little dog. Bears out what people have always said on these forums.....the little 'designed' dogs are the innocent victims of marketing hype. And that little sweetie had the good fortune to find a genuinely loving forever home.

The pet store with the AWL Adoption Centre I visited, is well aware of impulse buying. And have measures in place to avoid it. Most places where dogs can be obtained from are equally open to impulse....given displays on the Net. I've already described how the store assistant went into a reality check routine. Started off by saying buying a dog or cat on impulse is no good for dog or owner. Then went into costs of dog ownership, responsbilities & lifestyle issues. If someone wasn't genuine & thoughtful about what they were doing, they would dip out at that point. The next step would have been the intense screening interview & other AWL checks. As the adoptions are within the AWL system, there's even follow-up advice for any specific settling in problems, from the AWL behaviourists. All of which works against future dumping. Incidentally, that pet store adoption centre, does not put the animals in a position where people walking past can see them. They have suiitable accommodation towards the back of the store. This AWL Adoption Centre is as much a destination as the main Gold Coast AWL shelter which is a couple of hours drive away...& same processes apply.

Well said!

Onya for trying. Is there an AWL in SA? Given how well their adoption centres via certain pet supply stores are going in Qld....maybe your state's AWL would give it a go. Also would individual purebred dog clubs have an interest in doing some p/b awareness/visits in your store.

Yes, what Ashanali posted proves the licence removal is a last ditch to get payment. Seems a fair system to me. I'm paying fines via sper. They take $20 a fortnight on arrangement. It means I can drive! This woman doesn't seem to have lacked quite a few $20s, to go out & buy/keep another dog.

I recall putting forth an idea such as this a couple of years ago it was fairly well shut down because no one wanted to have an affiliation with any pet shop, nice to see that people are no longer as keen to tar all pet shops with the same brush I agree with you, that the pet stores which have Adoption Centres for ethical rescues, might have changed perceptions. If those with a genuine welfare policy would also host a Purebred Info Service, it would help prevent dumping. Evidence is that the puppies coming from registered breeders are less vulnerable to being dumped....& the breeders produce far fewer accidental litters. But I could understand registered breeders not wanting their puppies actually in any pet store ....& worst of all, being next to puppies sourced from puppy farmers. And would agree. It should be an info & awareness service only. Maybe we can keep plugging away.

Not by me. It's healthy to have other points of view. But it's understandable why Peta's not approved by members of a p/b dog forum. Peta reduces all issues about companion dogs, to a stated position 'all breeders should stop breeding'. It's like some other organisation saying that every problem facing humankind can be fixed via 'all humans should stop having babies'. Peta has a fundamentalist ideology about companion dogs which doesn't stand up to reason....or science. So it's not surprising there's anxiety that their activism might include doing something plain silly or harmful.

Yes, the message has to be got out that the public can buy purebred dogs. So many people think they're only for showing & even that 'show' breeders don't sell to pet people. Also many people I meet with my purebred tibbies think it's some elite system they were bought from. Like they must be wildly expensive or only people with some membership in the show world can buy them. They honestly believe that the place ordinary pet owners have to go to, for a dog, is a petshop!

I have no problem at all with the AWL (& RSPCA )store-adoption system that I've seen up close. It's not a skerrick different from how the rescue dogs & cats are adopted from the shelters. But with the chance of being closer to where the pet buying public are. If anything, the dogs & cats in each store get an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Having played the 'dumb customer' the other day, I was chuffed how the store assistant went straight into the 'perfect' adoption spiel. Starting with telling me how impulse buying is anti-welfare. She got top marks from me. Obviously, the staff have been trained in the AWL's policies & procedures. All the singage outside & inside the store, makes it clear that they're hosting an AWL Adoption Centre. The pets aren't store 'products'. The store's back-up activities re training, grooming & pet care education take care of follow-up support. There's also the AWL's own support program of advice & resources, for any specific problems when an adopted pet is settling in to a new home. I'd actually like to see a lot more stores get into this system. Incidentally, this store also has large posters all around the adoption area, telling customers about Friends of the Hound Greyhound Adoption. Breeders of pure-bred dogs could well get info out into such stores, too. With Purebreds as Pets Information Centres & with visits by various breeds. Adoptions strictly direct from breeder. This would get over the problems for purebreds, too. With many people believing that prurebreds are only for showing & that pet people can't buy them....& also the lack of knowledge about how to contact breeders. Or deterred by distance. Great to have a Breeders' Index in the store, for reference.

That's great. Big change from a few years back when I used to take our tibetan spaniels to a vet in an area where there was a big pet store selling small designed dogs. In all the time I went to that vet, the only other purebred I met (among all the little oodles & whatevers) was a small poodle. The oodle owners would often ask what our tibbies were....because they assumed they must be 'designed' too. And their attitude would change, on hearing they were purebreds....a kind of disdain for something as 'old-fashioned'! These people really had a sense that their oodles were up-to-date fashionable, with cutsy names & all.

It's an excellent idea to highlight rescue dogs & cats in pet supply stores. When it's run properly. AWL Qld & RSPCA Qld have Adoption Centres in such stores here. Shelters are located a long way from where people live, so it's good to use local stores as adoption centres. Emphasis is on 'adoption'....so there's screening & counselling on responsible pet care. I was in a nearby store yesterday & commented to the assistant about their AWL Adoption Centre. She didn't go into a sales pitch, but an explanation of why screening & matching are required & how that includes going thro' all the responsibilities & costs which go with pet ownership. There was no doubt that animal welfare was the priority. That store also hosts activities which can provide follow-up....like training classes & grooming services, as well as monthly pet education seminars (the next one is on diet, the last one was on grooming care at home). Turned out that the shop assistant was a vet student. The AWL cats (never more than 3 or 4) are kept in large cat enclosure, with all mod cons....like little hammocks & feeding trays & lots of toys. I'm always amazed at how social these pusses are...& in beautiful condition being desexed, vaccinated, microchipped etc. The AWL dogs (never more than 2 at a time) are kept in a room-sized pen with low glass fencing around & handwash is supplied for people to clean their hands before being allowed to handle them. There's lots of toys & facility for toileting. Volunteers are scheduled to provide cuddling & walking. There's also provision for the pets to be cared for in homes at night. All moneys stay with the AWL, no profits to the store. Such Adoption Centres in pet supply stores get from me.

What a mismatch! It's hard to imagine one that'd be worse. As someone else said, positively dangerous as well. On the other hand, folk I know in Victoria adopted an 18 mths old failed guide dog. But he'd failed on one point only....too friendly with all dogs he came upon. He's proven to be excellent, has a rather laid-back personality, and is a dream around their 89 yr old dad. Maybe, as KK says, there's 2 different groups.

At this point any of the following Enforcement actions can be issued against you. Driver Licence Suspension Fines Collection Notice Immobilisation Warrant Seizure of property (including car, house) Arrest Warrant I'm wondering what 'Immobilisation Warrant' means. Are the local Mafia sent to put concrete shoes on runaway debtors? I agree this woman should be made to pay the fine. And who's she to complain about being treated badly when she once left a poor dog in the pound, probably to die there.

Some of the toy breeds are not good with being left outside all day. But tell the lass there is a compromise position. A doggie door that lets the dog go in & out at will, is a great idea for a small dog that's home alone. It then gets the best of both worlds. We've done this, via a large weather-proof, secure verandah room across the back of the house. It's basically the family room. There's a doggie door leading out of that into a fenced courtyard section of the backyard, so the little dogs can go to the toilet & have a run around outside. But they've got the comfort of being in the verandah/family room as well....with all the familiar smells of their owners, their toys & their soft day beds. If they had a set-up like this, I'd recommend a Tibetan Spaniel. Even tho' they don't come in white, they do come in cream. But I'd never suggest a Tibbie if the dog was to be outside all day. Good on you, for helping her thro' maybe getting a dog.

My tibbies have always gone out to the toilet in the rain....but they make it clear that it tests their Buddhist acceptance to the very limit. It's funny to watch them return by not walking on the wet grass, but along the raised brick garden edges. However, we just adopted a tibbie girl who was born & bred in Sweden. She has a totally different attitude. Out she goes with great enthusiasm, even when it's raining. It's as if she's saying....'Gee, you're whimps here in the sub-tropics. You should've seen how we had to wade out into the snow back in Sweden!'

My first drafts are exactly the same. In fact, it's a good idea to get it all out first, warts & all. Then sit back & cold-bloodedly cut it into shape, leaving out all the warts that could come back & bite! Just keep to short, clear info that's relevant to the matter. So I totally agree with the advice you've given. My best wishes to the OP, too....that this will lead to sorting the matter.

Thanks for that, SG. Sounds very like what I heard the tail-end of on the radio. Yes, mandatory walkies was mentioned. I don't know, tho', if the responsible dog owning courses are already in it, too. Seems like they may be, from what you've posted.

I just caught the end of an ABC News item on this rejection. They said that the Swiss authorities said they already had sound laws which just need to be enforced. But it also mentioned something about 'courses' in how to care for companion pets responsibly. I couldn't make out....if they already have them, or if it's something that should be put in place.

The worst part of the whole story, is the emotional blackmail. As to any agreement to take the dog....that would be someone's choice based on their own circumstances, not their responsibility.

It comes down to what an individual has the knowledge or resources to do in a particular situation. Willow did what was the best she could do, when she came upon the dog being auctioned. Others might have done something else.....because they knew of something else or had different resources themselves. So someone else might have done something different about the dog. There's no rule of thumb. Same when we come across a person in big trouble. We help according to what we know & what we can do.