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Clover Moore Animal (Regulation of Sale) Bill ________________________________ Background: On the 18th of October 2007, New South Wales MP Clover Moore introduced the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill to Parliament in order to bring an end to the sale of mammals in pet stores and markets, believing that pet shops promote impulse buying and an oversupply of animals. Why this bill should not be passed: • There is a lack of existing data to determine the real percentage of animals bought from pet shops that are surrendered and euthanised.
• There is currently no evidence to suggest that companion animals purchased from pet shops are any more likely to be euthanised or are any less well cared for than animals purchased from other sources.
• The percentage of dogs and cats acquired through pet shops is actually very low. A Victorian study found that just 8% of cats and 11% of dogs were obtained from pet shops. A similar study found that pet shops supplied 9% of cats and 14% of dogs to pet owners. By comparison, the same studies revealed that far more dogs were obtained from breeders (22% and 30%) and more cats obtained from welfare shelters (13% and 22%).
• Data provided by Central Animal Records (Victoria) detailing microchip registrations by source from 1989 to 2007 reveal that animals purchased from pet shops are less likely to be lost (7.64%) than animals micro-chipped at vets (9.74%), welfare shelters (15.25%) and other sources (15.25%).
• If legal pet shop sales of mammals are banned, pet sales may be driven underground making it much more difficult to regulate. Pet shops offer an open and transparent means of purchasing an animal, fully regulated, unlike pounds and breeders where the public doesn't have complete access.
• The animal welfare concerns that are raised regarding pet shop sales similarly exist among many sources of pet purchase.
• It has been suggested that pet shops do not match buyers with suitable animals, yet many pounds run by the local authorities offer animals for sale without consultation as to suitability. These facilities are not spending enough time on assessing potential owners.
• The future of cross-bred dogs and cats is at risk if mammal sales are restricted to registered breeders only.
• The number of animals euthanised each year are only a tiny percentage of the dogs and cats living successfully in family homes.
Source: The Australian Veterinary Association (Centre for Companion Animals in the Community) Sale of Pets report 2007.
Petition against Clover Moore's Bill People to contact:
From the NSW Government:
From the NSW Opposition:
To find out who your local MP is, go to:
To find out which electorate you are in, go to:
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