Spitting Into the Wind

Animal welfare workers rallied today in support of a bill to ban pet shops from selling kittens and puppies. When you think about how many dogs and cats are put down each year this is not a bad idea. 60,000 dogs are euthanased each year in NSW pounds and animal shelters, and the number of cats put down every year because they were dumped and no alternative home could be found was much higher.

According to the folks at www.deathrowpets.net, cat ownership in Australia has declined about 30% over the past 10 years, and dog ownership is fairly static. As many of us know, the move to a more urbanised and high density living means it’s becoming harder to have companion animals. This is translating as one of the reasons why more animals are finding their way into pounds. Stray and feral cat populations are increasing.

The Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill, introduced in the lower house by independent MP Clover Moore, seeks to ban pet shops from selling cats and dogs, but would not prevent the sale of birds, fish and a wide range of pet products.

People wanting to buy a cat or dog would instead have to go to a registered breeder, the pound or the vet.

Visit Deathrow Pets to see how you can help.