[Greens-Media] Greens Welcome Puppy Factory Scrutiny but Call for Pet Shop Sales to be Included

[Franks, Office]

Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Tammy Franks MLC has welcomed the successful motion from the Member for Mawson, Leon Bignell MP to establish a Lower House State Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the companion animal industry, including examining issues such as puppy factories, registration and compulsory desexing.

"The Greens have long called for action against puppy factories, often unregulated backyard operators pumping out litter after litter of pups, with little or no regard for anything other than maximising profits for the breeders," Ms Franks said.

"The terms of reference will allow the Parliament to investigate and report on the legislative and regulatory management of the trade in companion dogs and cats, with the goals of the elimination of cruelty and the reduction of the numbers of unwanted animals being euthanased.

"The Greens welcome this scrutiny and welcome the cross-party support for improving welfare outcomes for companion animals and taking action to reduce the ghastly toll of unwanted and stray animals euthanased by shelters and vets.

"I welcome the inclusion of compulsory microchipping being included in the Committee's investigations as anecdotal evidence indicates that this single requirement alone may be one of the most significant ways to manage dodgy and unscrupulous breeders of both dogs and cats.

"But if the Committee is serious about tackling puppy factories it must also examine the trade in retail stores such as pet shops, where the cute puppy in the window often encourages ill-thought out impulse purchases that end badly for owners and animals alike," Ms Franks concluded.



The terms of reference for the committee are to examine:

(a) options for the regulation of welfare standards for breeding companion dogs and cats;
(b) the adequacy of regulation of the source of companion dogs and cats for sale;
(c) the feasibility of a mandatory cooling off period between registering intent to purchase a companion dog or cat and taking possession of the animal;
(d) the adequacy of the regulation of non-retail-shop trade in companion dogs and cats;
(e) how the registration, micro chipping and desexing of companion dogs and cats might address these goals; and
(f) any other relevant matters.

For further comment contact Jamnes Danenberg 0457 549 938