Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea is encouraging community input on the NSW Government's Companion Animals Taskforce Discussion Paper. The Paper is seeking input on the State's future pet policies, including ways to reduce the number of cats and dogs being euthanased in pounds.
“The Discussion Paper is inviting the public to examine its initial proposals to promote responsible pet ownership, improve pet breeding practices in the community, and ultimately lead to fewer unwanted pets," Mr O'Dea said.
“The Taskforce represents the Government’s commitment to focus on poor pet breeding practices. Relevant issues include 'puppy farms', increasing micro-chipping, de-sexing, lifetime registration of pets, and generally cracking down on poor pet industry practices.
“We want to reduce the number of unwanted animals and lower euthanasia rates in NSW council pounds,” Mr O'Dea said.
Animal Welfare League CEO Tim Vasudeva and Jonathan O'Dea with companion animals at Parliament House
Recent figures show that in the last five years, 150,000 dogs and cats were euthanased in NSW pounds. Of the animals that arrive at pounds each year, about 33 per cent of dogs and nearly 70 per cent of cats are euthanased – about 15,000 dogs and 15,000 cats a year.
The Taskforce has brought together leading animal welfare experts, including from the Animal Welfare League and local government representatives, and is chaired by Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell, who was a veterinary surgeon before entering politics.
Some of the key issues in the discussion paper include:
· Regulation of breeders
· Advertising and sale of cats and dogs
· Microchipping, registration and desexing
· The role of education
· Impounding of cats and dogs
The discussion paper is available for download from the Division of Local Government website at: www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/CATaskforce. Submissions close on 1 July 2012.
