Published Wednesday, 03 December, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Mulherin announces Pet Shop Code of Practice
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin today announced a new initiative designed to prevent the dumping of unwanted pets.
Mr Mulherin said a new Pet Shop Code of Practice would help improve animal welfare standards in Queensland.
“With Christmas just around the corner we want to do everything we can to help prevent the seasonal problem of pets being given as unwanted gifts and then dumped,” Mr Mulherin said.
“This initiative will help give a voice to helpless animals that cannot defend themselves.
“The voluntary Code of Practice covers a range of standards including animal housing, hygiene, records management, training and health care.
“It encourages retailers to ensure that people take home a pet that is healthy, suitable to their current and anticipated lifestyle and will not contribute to overpopulation.
“The code points out that the best way for pet retailers to reduce the risk of unwanted cats and dogs is to ensure that all cats and dogs are desexed prior to attaining breeding age, that all cats and all dogs are microchipped, and that all purchasers are properly informed about the responsibilities of pet ownership.
“It also recommends that cats and dogs sold by pet shops be sourced from responsible breeders.
“It is also the only pet shop code of practice in Australia which guides pet retailers through the hard issues of desexing and early age desexing.
“It will be mailed out to pet shops throughout Queensland and will also be available on the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries website.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F, the Department of Local Government and Sport, and stakeholders worked together to develop the voluntary code.
“After releasing a draft code earlier this year for consultation we received 76 individual responses containing about 270 comments and suggestions. This helped us finalise what we believe is the best pet shop Code of Practice in Australia.
“This is Q2 in action. Dumped pets can become feral and do untold environmental damage . So not only will this code help reduce animal suffering it will also help protect our lifestyle and environment,” Mr Mulherin said..
The code of practice has been prepared by the Queensland Government in consultation with the South East Queensland Regional Animal Management Group, Pet Industry Association of Australia, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Qld), Animal Welfare League of Queensland, Australian Veterinary Association (Qld) and Canine Control Council (Qld) and is endorsed by the Queensland Companion Animal Management Group.
To get a copy of the code of practice, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Media: Mark Symons 32396530
Mr Mulherin said a new Pet Shop Code of Practice would help improve animal welfare standards in Queensland.
“With Christmas just around the corner we want to do everything we can to help prevent the seasonal problem of pets being given as unwanted gifts and then dumped,” Mr Mulherin said.
“This initiative will help give a voice to helpless animals that cannot defend themselves.
“The voluntary Code of Practice covers a range of standards including animal housing, hygiene, records management, training and health care.
“It encourages retailers to ensure that people take home a pet that is healthy, suitable to their current and anticipated lifestyle and will not contribute to overpopulation.
“The code points out that the best way for pet retailers to reduce the risk of unwanted cats and dogs is to ensure that all cats and dogs are desexed prior to attaining breeding age, that all cats and all dogs are microchipped, and that all purchasers are properly informed about the responsibilities of pet ownership.
“It also recommends that cats and dogs sold by pet shops be sourced from responsible breeders.
“It is also the only pet shop code of practice in Australia which guides pet retailers through the hard issues of desexing and early age desexing.
“It will be mailed out to pet shops throughout Queensland and will also be available on the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries website.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F, the Department of Local Government and Sport, and stakeholders worked together to develop the voluntary code.
“After releasing a draft code earlier this year for consultation we received 76 individual responses containing about 270 comments and suggestions. This helped us finalise what we believe is the best pet shop Code of Practice in Australia.
“This is Q2 in action. Dumped pets can become feral and do untold environmental damage . So not only will this code help reduce animal suffering it will also help protect our lifestyle and environment,” Mr Mulherin said..
The code of practice has been prepared by the Queensland Government in consultation with the South East Queensland Regional Animal Management Group, Pet Industry Association of Australia, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Qld), Animal Welfare League of Queensland, Australian Veterinary Association (Qld) and Canine Control Council (Qld) and is endorsed by the Queensland Companion Animal Management Group.
To get a copy of the code of practice, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Media: Mark Symons 32396530