PIAA working hard on the response to Clover Moore's Bill

Last Friday (week one) PIAA reported the following re the Clover Moore (Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007       

• PIAA and wider industry held the first meeting. Attendees where updated on the meeting PIAA held that day with Clover Moore and staff. Ms Moore had no hard data to link pet shops with the number of euthanatized animals; no figures indicating how many of those animals had been micro-chipped nor how many that arrived in a shelter originated from pet shops. She admitted to virtually no industry consultation. 
• A range of possible actions were discussed at the industry meeting including the need for a united voice through PIAA and a focus on PIAA’s leadership role in further reducing the problem of unwanted and euthanized animals – good pet shops are part of the solution to the problem.
• Since last Friday PIAA has pushed its position strongly through the media (the issue attracted 78 stories on eastern sea board and NT media); with State politicians and associated bureaucrats’; with alliance partners particularly through the Aust Companion Animal Council (excluding Dogs NSW who would have a near monopoly on dog sales if the Bill got up) and with rodent groups for whom the Bill is impractical. All these actions are on going. Discussions are underway with lobbying/PR agencies and engagement of one will be part of the integrated action plan to be signed off by the PIAA Board. A reminder that in-store signed petitions should be returned to the PIAA as you get full pages and keep the petition going so we can keep support rolling into parliament.

 This week - week two the actions and outcomes have been;     

·         PR and Lobbying support – the Board have agreed on the appointment of a professional PR and lobbying firm. Their assistance kicks in on Monday and this will result for example in more influence with politicians; a most effective response to the Bill; good communication ‘tools’ for PIAA and individual members to use with the media and a pro active media plan commencing this month.

·          Petitions – 7,418 signatures’ have been received to date for tabling in parliament. We have refined the wording on the petition and request members use the attached petition from now on. Please keep the signatures flowing with the next batch to be posted (not faxed) to PIAA to be received by Wed 21 Nov. Apologies but can anyone that has faxed petitions through please post the originals as we have been informed we need to have the originals to be tabled in parliament.   

·         2,300 letters have been posted to all Australian pet industry retailers and distributors highlighting the threat this bill presents to pet businesses. The letter emphasized the need to support PIAA and to join the Association to fight the bill.

·         Effective support from the Australian Veterinarian Association Centre for Companion Animals in the Community

·         Excellent work by a number of PIAA members in getting local media exposure rebutting the Bill and contact and feedback from a number of local members on both sides of the fence indicating they do not support the Bill.

·         Support coming through from rodent groups e.g. Rabbit Fanciers who see the Bill as a threat to their activities