From the Porter Report August 2010 - DISCUSSING ANIMAL’S WELFARE

Mary at the RSPCA Cattery

Recently Mary announced that she will work with the Minister, Mr Jon Stanhope, the Department of Territory and Municipal Services and Industry stakeholders to develop a government discussion paper on what should be covered in a mandatory code on domestic animals in the ACT. This will be tabled later this month.

“When considering evidence of the continued rise in the numbers of animals surrendered in the ACT, and in the increased avenues through which animals are purchased, it is clear that there is a need for the Government to take a fresh look at the breeding, supply and care of domestic animals in the ACT,” Mary asserted.

The discussion paper will pose a range of options that Mary has suggested, to address this issue, such as how to ensure an animal is being sold by a registered breeder, how to ensure proper vaccination, de-sexing and micro chipping, and whether we should consider a system of information sharing to support responsible pet ownership in respect to health and well-being of companion animals.

“I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of AWAC in producing a draft voluntary Code of Practice for the Sale of Animals in the ACT,” Mary concluded.