NZ PIA Annual Trade Show and Conference 2008

Coming up on the 4th and 5th of March this year will be NZ Pet Industry Association’s Annual Trade Show and Conference, a two-day event which will be held at Novotel Lakeside, Rotorua.

The theme for this year's show is “The Challenge of Change” to assist Pet Retailers in what looks to be a year which will certainly have its challenges.

The Trade Show will feature 18 leading industry exhibitors and the Conference Day on the 5th has an excellent line-up of topical speakers.

The Industry Dinner on the evening of the 4th will provide, excellent food and beverages and a high profile after dinner speaker, followed by entertainment.

NZ PIA Conference and Trade Show 2008 Programme (PDF)

Registration form (PDF)

Accommodation booking form (PDF)

For further information and to register contact Kathleen Maunsell on 00 64 9 845 3550 or email kmaunsell@retail.org.nz

____________________

Doggy breeds risk extinction

The public is well aware of the plight of the dodo bird, but more surprising are the latest breed registration figures released in the UK which reveal that some dog breeds are fast approaching the same fate.

The Kennel Club (KC) believes that several traditional breeds are likely to die out if people continue to fixate on celebrity culture, which appears to determine which breeds will sell each year. For example, the Chihuahua, a breed which is commonly spotted in the handbag of influential Hollywood-ites such as Paris Hilton, has seen registrations rise by around 1,000 in the past year, along with other smaller Toy breeds.

On the other hand, the Fox Terrier appears to be one of the most vulnerable breeds on the list. According to the Kennel Club, the Fox Terrier needs to maintain at least 300 puppy registrations each year if it is to prosper.

Closer to home it would appear that the rottweiler is under threat due to public misconceptions. A group of Geelong dog owners have taken to the streets in the hopes that they can alter the breed’s negative reputation.

The group teaches people about important ways to handle the breed, safe ways to introduce the dog to a newborn baby, and how to take food away from it.

“A rottweiler is a great companion dog. It’s highly intelligent, calm, stable and safe with children but you need to buy a dog that comes from calm stock and educate people on how to deal with large breeds,” said group spokeswoman Margaret Metcalfe.

Ms Metcalfe believes that any dog could become violent if it wasn’t treated correctly or if it was bred to become a guard dog, as many were in the 80s when they were a highly popular breed.  

The group fears the introduction of breed specific legislation, which could result in an outright ban on their dogs.

“The problem ultimately lies with the individual owner, and that is where the focus of dangerous laws should be,” she said.

“Many breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers and rottweilers are on the verge of extinction if we allow our elected politicians to continue passing legislation without fair community consultation with breed clubs and pet owners.” 

Source: Steve O’Malley, UKPets & Julie McNamara, Geelong Advertiser, Jan 2008

_______________________

 

POSITION AVAILABLE:

CEO – PET INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (PIAA)

The PIAA is the lead association representing Australia’s $4.62b pet industry. The Association has experienced strong growth with ongoing opportunities for development. The Association has 660 members across Australia and membership ranges from multinational companies to sole traders. The CEO is responsible for development of the annual business plan in association with the Board and for implementation of the plan across six key result areas. The CEO must have the capacity to continue the expansion of membership; facilitate and lead improvements to industry knowledge, standards and training and to promote members to the public and the trade. The CEO must have the capacity to play a lead role in advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the industry; in facilitating and leading industry networking and cohesion and in managing the operations of the Association.  

The CEO position requires excellent skills in leadership, planning, research, communication, networking, lobbying and marketing. The position also requires effective facilitation and diplomacy skills to be able to maintain and grow a broad ranging and geographically diverse Association. The position is responsible for managing a small team including state coordinators who act in a voluntary capacity. A commitment to the welfare of companion animals and recognition of the benefits of companion animals is required.

A salary package of $90,000 – $100,000 including a fully maintained car is provided. For a full position description email Janine at info@piaa.net.au; P 02 96595811 or at www.piaa.net.au under jobs. Applications for the position close 5pm 1/2/08 C/O PIAA Box 7108, BHBC NSW 2153       

____________________

Pet Trade Shows coming up

 

 

Canine Blood Banks

 

Ever thought about what happens if your pet dog needs a blood transfusion? Well just like humans, they depend on blood donations from other canines.

 

Blood transfusions are used in the event of an emergency, and when a dog loses too much blood in surgery or has trouble clotting. Lucky for them, dog owners are increasingly willing to take their pet companions into a local Canine Blood Bank in order to save other pets’ lives.

 

“Just about anything you can do for a human, you can do for a pet nowadays,” said Theresa Connelly, events coordinator for the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank at Airpark Animal Hospital in Westminster, which has run blood drives for a number of years.

 

Before starting the bank in 1993, Veterinarian Ann Schneider had difficulty getting typed and screened blood for her canine patients. Her motivation for starting the company was to ensure that area vets would have a reliable source of blood.

 

The EVBB now gives 25,000 units of blood to animal hospitals each year, and they are constantly recruiting new donors.

 

“The need is growing as people are having pets instead of kids,” Connelly said.

 

The University of Melbourne’s Veterinary Clinic and Hospital is one of the few Canine Blood Banks in Australia. Dogs that pass through their doors as potential donors must pass an initial screening test, and if accepted they are required to fast overnight prior to donating blood. Technicians then draw blood from the jugular vein, withdrawing about 450ml of blood.

 

Following a donation, blood cells are replaced by the bone marrow over the following days, and the pet is back to its usual self in no time.

 

“You would never know she gave blood (after she donates,” said Susan Godden, who regularly takes her dog Samantha in to the EVBB to donate. “I’m thrilled she’s doing it.”

 

The University of Melbourne encourages people to donate blood to their Canine Blood Bank every three months.

 

Further information about canine blood donation can be found on their website

 

 

Source: The Associated Press, Jan 2008

___________________

Pet Industry News is currently undertaking a phone survey to help establish how many retail stores are selling animals and in what manner.

If you receive a call from our staff, please assist us by taking a minute or two to answer our questions.

If you're a retail store, it would be greatly appreciated if you could email answers to the following questions to bob@petnews.com.au.

1. Do you sell fish/dogs/cats/birds/small animals?

2. Do you have a cooling off period for animals sold? If so, how many days?

3. Do you display any of your dogs or cats in the shop windows?

4. Is your shop located in a shopping centre or is it free standing?

5. What is the size of your shop (square metres)?

6. How many employees do you have?

7. Is your store a part of a group of shop, and if so, how many?

5. Are you a member of the PIAA?

_______________________

INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE & SALES IN 2008!

Exhibit at the S.A. PETEXPO (April 5th) OVER 50% SPACE ALREADY SOLD!!

Consider sponsorship of PIAA’s events.  Sponsorship packages for the AusGroom and AusBoard national conferences (July 29-31 at Coolangatta QLD) and PIAA’s major event, PetExpo 2008 (Sept 12 & 13 at Darling Harbour Sydney) will be released shortly!

2008 will be a huge year for showcasing the Australian Pet Industry. Don’t miss out on the business opportunities on offer!  Please contact Anne Saunders on 02 4862 4992 or email anevent@bigpond.com to book exhibition space at the S.A. trade show and for all other event enquiries.

____________________

 

THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF PET INDUSTRY NEWS IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE -THE PRINTED COPIES HAVE BEEN POSTED OUT.

"Clover Moore attacks the Pet Industry"

"Record Keeping Requirements for Exotic Birds"

"Wrap-up of the PIAA Melbourne Expo 2007"