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Farming Puppies for Profit
DOGS Victoria supports the RSPCA in a campaign to stop dogs being used by uncaring people operating puppy farms in Victoria.
“DOGS Victoria promotes the responsible breeding and ownership of dogs,” says the president of the not-for-profit organisation, Peter Frost. “The DOGS Victoria code of ethics is very clear on this: breeding should not be done for commercial purposes or profit, but rather to improve the breed’s function, health and temperament.”
This problem must be approached from both ends: the producer and the consumer.
DOGS Victoria and the RSPCA advise purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder or adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue organisation.
In addition to educating consumers, DOGS Victoria has been in discussions with the state government to legislate against these high-volume breeders.
“DOGS Victoria has its own strict code of ethics,” explains Mr Frost. “We encourage the government to use this as a model, holding all dog breeders in the state to the same high standards of DOGS Victoria registered breeders.”
DOGS Victoria believes this will reduce the over-supply of dogs and puppies in Victoria, ensuring that every puppy begins life in a positive, loving environment and every dog spends its life in a loving home.
For more on this topic please visit our puppy farm web page.
Photo courtesy of DOGS Victoria
Pedigree Dogs Make the Best Pets
Dog owners the world over have been buzzing with the BBC show "Pedigree Dogs Exposed", recently shown in Australia on ABC, calling into question the ethics and practices of purebred dog breeders in Australia.
Quite contrary to what was implied in this show, ethical, responsible breeders are working together to create healthier dogs that make better pets.
The Australian National Kennel Council requires certain breeds to undergo heritable disease tests as a prerequisite to mating. Additionally, many breed clubs throughout Australia have their own required breeding practices determined from careful and ongoing scientific research.
“Yes, dogs of certain breeds are more prone to certain genetic problems,” said Peter Frost, President of DOGS Victoria, “but by facing the reality of those problems and developing responsible breeding programs, breeders of pedigree, purebred dogs are taking positive pro-active steps toward eradicating the problems. Australian breeders go to extremes to import semen for artificial insemination as well as entire animals to ensure their breeding lines remain varied, strong and healthy.”
Too often, breeders of non-pedigreed dogs, crossbred dogs and so-called “designer” dogs do not test for heritable diseases. This isn’t because diseases don’t exist in these animals. It is simply because the genetic combinations make for an unknown risk of diseases. By choosing not to test for any disease, these breeders are turning a blind eye to potential problems and allowing them to continue to pass from one generation to the next in a genetic lottery.
The major health problems seen in dogs across Australia, therefore, are not in the pedigree, purebred dogs.
DOGS Victoria has been working diligently with the state government to introduce groundbreaking new legislation last year that makes it an offence to sell or give away a dog with a heritable disease. They are continuing to work together to develop a code of practice and more specific guidelines for managing heritable disease and creating a future full of healthy, happy family pets.
Help DOGS Victoria promote healthy purebreds by downloading the Healthy Purebred Poster and posting it up at your ophthalmologist or veterinarian's office.
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