Published Friday, 11 July, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Code of practice for pet shops to reduce unwanted pets
Queensland pet shops will be encouraged to source dogs and cats from breeders who care properly for their animals, and to discuss the home and care needs of pets with buyers, under a proposed new Code of Practice for pet shops.
Pet shop owners have until July 24, 2008, to put their views forward on the Code of Practice, which can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries or downloaded from the DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the proposed Code of Practice, the first of its type in Queensland, was one of a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the number of unwanted pets.
The proposed Code of Practice for pet shops will complement proposed state-wide legislation that will require all cats and dogs to be registered and all cats and dogs to be microchipped for identification when sold or given away.
The Queensland Government will also run pilot studies to test innovative animal management initiatives by local governments.
“Between 2002 and 2006, the Queensland Animal Welfare League euthanased 9463 cats,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Over the same period, the Queensland branch of the RSPCA euthanased 44,173 of the 65,583 cats received, or 67.35%.
“Euthanasing that many kittens each year is distressing and doesn’t meet the standards of a caring community.
“This proposed Code of Practice for pet shops sets out important guidelines– minimum standards which will go a long way in reducing the number of pets that end up unwanted, abandoned and euthanased in Queensland.
“I encourage all pet retailers, such as pet shops, markets and produce stores that sell pets, to obtain a copy of the code of practice and have their say on the proposed new requirements.”
The code of practice has been prepared by the Queensland Government in consultation with the South East Queensland Regional Animal Managment Group, Pet Industry Association of Australia, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Qld), Animal Welfare League (Qld), Australian Veterinary Association (Qld) and Canine Control Council (Qld) and endorsed by the Queensland Companion Animal Management Group.
Media: 3239 6530
Pet shop owners have until July 24, 2008, to put their views forward on the Code of Practice, which can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries or downloaded from the DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the proposed Code of Practice, the first of its type in Queensland, was one of a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the number of unwanted pets.
The proposed Code of Practice for pet shops will complement proposed state-wide legislation that will require all cats and dogs to be registered and all cats and dogs to be microchipped for identification when sold or given away.
The Queensland Government will also run pilot studies to test innovative animal management initiatives by local governments.
“Between 2002 and 2006, the Queensland Animal Welfare League euthanased 9463 cats,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Over the same period, the Queensland branch of the RSPCA euthanased 44,173 of the 65,583 cats received, or 67.35%.
“Euthanasing that many kittens each year is distressing and doesn’t meet the standards of a caring community.
“This proposed Code of Practice for pet shops sets out important guidelines– minimum standards which will go a long way in reducing the number of pets that end up unwanted, abandoned and euthanased in Queensland.
“I encourage all pet retailers, such as pet shops, markets and produce stores that sell pets, to obtain a copy of the code of practice and have their say on the proposed new requirements.”
The code of practice has been prepared by the Queensland Government in consultation with the South East Queensland Regional Animal Managment Group, Pet Industry Association of Australia, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Qld), Animal Welfare League (Qld), Australian Veterinary Association (Qld) and Canine Control Council (Qld) and endorsed by the Queensland Companion Animal Management Group.
Media: 3239 6530