News and updates

As promised by the DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee, at their recent Webinar held on Monday 15 February, the following is a definition of
a DOGS NSW "Hobby Breeder."

1. Is a member of DOGS NSW or other recognised Organisation.

2. If a member of DOGS NSW, they must not breed unless they hold a current Breeders Prefix under the rules and regulations of DOGS NSW and:
• Shall abide fully by the Code of Ethics of DOGS NSW.
• Shall NOT breed any litters NOT registered with DOGS NSW.
• Shall agree to inspection of their premises by DOGS NSW Welfare Officer.

3. Shall NOT breed a bitch more than 6 times throughout her lifetime.

4. Shall NOT breed a bitch over eight years of age unless approved by a registered veterinarian.

5. Shall NOT breed a bitch more than twice in an eighteen-month period.

6. Shall NOT breed a bitch under 12 months of age or 18 months of age for giant breeds.

7. All puppies must be microchipped and registered with the NSW Companion Animals database in accordance with NSW State law.

8. Shall abide by the publicised Veterinary Standards for preventative Disease Protocols.

Importantly the definition of Animal Trade under Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act should be amended to exclude Hobby Breeders with the import and effect that Inspectors shall not be empowered to enter upon the property of Hobby Breeders to carry out Breeder Compliance Inspections of the nature applicable to commercial breeding establishments which are not exempt as Hobby Breeders.

Features distinguishing DOGS NSW prefix holders from commercial breeders:-

1. Enforced Code of Ethics

2. Mandatory Members Education Course

3. Qualification of breeders

4. DOGS NSW is self- regulating, ie, Kennel inspections in accordance with our Code of Ethics

5. Independent Judiciary system adjudicating breaches

6. Continuous health testing programs partnering with ANKC Ltd

7. Breeding for improved health and conservation of Pure Bred Dogs

8. Weekly puppy classes at DOGS NSW

9. The full range of Dog sports

10. Support of rescue groups

11. Royal NSW Canine Council Charity Ltd
To prevent or relieve the suffering of canines. DOGS NSW considers the Charity to be greatly significant and is directing the $1 puppy levy to the Charity to secure long-term benefits for DOGS NSW members as well as the general canine community in NSW.

Come and join the Media & Government Legislation Committee and Directors Myron Arthur and Nancy Keck on a Zoom Webinar, which was held on Monday 15th February at 7.00pm as they discussed the latest developments in the Breeder Compliance inspections and how they are impacting our members.

Please click here to view the Webinar.

The Media & Government Legislation Committee include:

The DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee is calling for those members who have been audited by the RSPCA. If you have experienced this process, it would be appreciated if you could please forward your name and member number details only to the Committee via email to [email protected].

Please be assured that DOGS NSW is working emphatically to assist its members to deal with the issues that have arisen as a result of the DPI/RSPCA Breeder Compliance Audits.  The Media & Government Legislation Committee is correlating a list of DOGS NSW members who have been audited in an attempt to prove to the DPI and the RSPCA that these breeders are hobby breeders, breeders very few litters per year, and not animal traders and, therefore, should be exempt from the current Breeder Compliance Audit regime.

The Media & Government Legislation Committee have attached the following documents to assist members in understanding and dealing with the RSPCA Breeder Audits:-

• Email from Mr H Gent OAM to DOGS NSW President – RSPCA requiring Breeders to have dry powder fire extinguishers

• Letter from Director M Arthur to the Member for Lake Macquarie expressing his concerns regarding the RSPCA breeder audits

• Breeding Dogs/Cats Checklist

DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee has released the attached urgent notices to all Members regarding the RSPCA Breeder Audits.

Click here to view the DOGS NSW Statement on RSPCA Breeder Audits.

Click here to view NSW Legislated Enforcement Bodies statement.

Earlier this year, DOGS NSW sought advice, from the Office of the Children’s Guardian, in respect of whether our Judges, including Junior Handler Judges, were required by law to obtain Working With Children Checks. That advice included advice as to who is “exempt” from this requirement. The advice and the list of exemptions can be found via the following links.

1. Correspondence - Response to WWCC Enquiry from Company Secretary

2. Part 4, Clause 20 of the Child Protection (Working With Children) Regulation 2013 - (In particular, your attention is drawn to the information contained in page 2 of the list of exemptions, in particular under Part 2 of the Child Protection (Working With Children) Regulation 2013, Clause 7(3), which is highlighted in yellow).

The new plan of the grounds is now finally complete and the amended map of the entire grounds can be viewed by clicking here.  The area we no longer include is approximately 100 metres down to the creek and then up the other side to Mamre Road. This area is designated as Cumberland Forest and will be reclaimed as such.

DOGS NSW are now taking pre orders for the FURSAFE Emergency First Aid Kits, specifically developed for dogs. Every dog owner should have one on hand, coupled with the Emergency Dog First Aid Guide.

The FURSAFE Emergency Dog First Aid Kits are $65.00 and the Emergency Dog First Aid Guides are $29.95 + postage.

To view the Emergency Dog First Aid Kit's contents, please click here. To view the Emergency First Aid Guide's content material please click here.

If interested in ordering, please click here to download the order form. Credit card and direct deposit transactions only.

DOGS NSW Office will soon have a limited supply of the FURSAFE Emergency Dog First Aid Kits and Guides available at reception, so you can order and then pick up when notified.

DOGS NSW has now registered the following Trademarks:-

• ROYAL NEW SOUTH WALES CANINE COUNCIL LIMITED
• DOGS NSW

Consequently, it should be noted that the use of the above names requires formal approval by the Royal NSW Canine Council (trading as DOGS NSW) prior to use in any form.

Realising that bitches were mated or whelped prior to the introduction of travel and social distancing restrictions, the CHWC hopes that the following advice will help in the process of transferring puppies to their new owners.

In addition the ANKC has received many inquiries in regard to continuation of breeding during this time of Government limitations, this of course is a personal choice but the ANKC recommends that before you mate a bitch, you give serious consideration to difficulties that may be encountered in relocating puppies to their new homes, transporting puppies both inter and intrastate can be a problem as are limited flights between states.

COVID 19 – the basics
COVID 19 is one of a large group of Corona viruses that affect many species. These viruses, like most, are generally species specific and rarely transfer to or affect any other species.
Both dogs and cats have corona viruses, but these are genetically very far removed from COVID 19. There has been no recorded transfer of dog and cat Corona viruses to humans and vice versa.

Socialising during the COVID 19 pandemic
Because of the limited movement and social distancing of people during the COVID 19 lockdown, breeders will have to be more inventive with their puppy socialisation, particularly if there are no children around.

Lots of play activity, try having different outfits, hats, noises, toys; most of which are usually done anyway. Take a few puppies out at a time in a trolley or pram to walk around the park or the block to see different places, people running past etc.

Do more one on one handling, particularly in those breeds that really need the individualisation (GSD, Rottweiler, etc). Stress to new owners that they will need to keep up this socialisation after they leave your care. 

Placing a Puppy during COVID 19 – Safety Advice
1. Do most of your normal checks, talking to prospective owners by phone, email, Facebook etc, ahead of time. Send photos, videos of the puppies, how they are being kept and raised, shots of the parents etc.

2. Check the credentials of the new owners, safe yards and fencing, members of the family, young children etc. Give copies of the relevant health certificates to people you expect to take a puppy. Have your puppy pack ready with dietary advice, spare puppy food, vaccination certificates etc, all ready to go before people arrive to see the puppy (or puppies).

3. Explain to prospective owners ahead of time what to expect. Ask whether anyone has had contact with anyone with COVID 19 or whether they have a cold or flu. Ask that older and/or compromised people and young children do not come to view the puppies. Only allow 1-2 people to come at any one time. Have everyone use a hand sanitizer or soap and water before handling the puppies.

4. Put the puppies to be viewed in a playpen, preferably outside, where the puppies can be placed into before the people arrive. Limit the number of puppies brought out. Prospective owners can then handle the puppies without direct contact with you. Any puppies not going can be wiped over with disinfectant (or washed) after the other puppy has gone.

5. Have all the paperwork ready, if anything needs signing, use a pen that they can then keep or you wipe it down with disinfectant/hand sanitiser. Keep the time spent with prospective owners to a minimum. Wash your hands and all open surfaces around the puppy area after the people leave.

6. With the restrictions on travel and only for essential business, it becomes quite difficult to sell puppies and comply with the necessary requirements. All the advice that we can give is how to limit your exposure to the virus when people come to view puppies.

[Note: It has been brought to our attention that in some jurisdictions people visiting your home, to pick up a puppy may be considered to be non-essential and therefore a finable offence, please check you State or Territory COVID 19 Regulations before arranging for puppies to be viewed or picked up.]

Dr. Karen Hedberg BV.Sc
Chairperson
ANKC Ltd Health and Wellbeing Committee