My blogging is winding down – along with pretty much everything else – as I’ve hit the third trimester of preggy no#2.
Below are a bunch of links that I’d not gotten around to sharing. Enjoy! :)
A long-term QLD government policy of the killing seized reptiles has been overturned. Previously, animals such as snakes, lizards and native birds seized over issues such as illegal trafficking and breeding actions were mostly put down. Now the RSPCA will try to find homes for native creatures just as it does with domestic pets. (source: The Courier Mail)
Also in QLD, Sunshine Coast Regional Council officers can now issue $220 infringements for excessive barking, and penalties of up to $2200 to owners who fail to rectify the issue. This is less harsh than the Gold Coast City Council, which has a $375 on-the-spot fine, and in line with Brisbane City Council, which can slug owners $220 and $1100 if a notice to remedy is not complied with. (source: The Courier Mail)
A plan to develop a screening process to identify aggressive dogs has been knocked back by the federal government, despite receiving support from the NSW government and animal groups. The University of Sydney put forward a proposal to examine genetic markers in dogs’ brains which predispose the animals to impulsive aggression, yet the Australian Research Council six weeks ago rejected the proposal for being low on “perceived significance”. (source: The Daily Telegraph)
Describes pretty much all animal welfare legislation in Australia… “Now that civilization has the ability to identify problems early, and the ability to research and borrow best practices (from around the world) to solve those problems, the weak link is government. Our current forms of government – at least the democracies – are poorly designed for data-driven decisions. Dogma, superstition, money, and reelection concerns will always trump data.” (source: ‘Super big problems – Dilbert blog)
Pound photos – you’re doing it right! (source: Renbury Farm Facebook)
Proceedings 5th International Symposium on Non-Surgical Methods of Pet Population Control: June 20-22, 2013 Portland, Oregon, US (source: The Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs)
Quotable…
“People often ask for a map, but maps are no good if you haven’t decided to go somewhere new.” ~ Seth Godin
Now this is awkward. The RSPCA in Victoria is advocating that councils list lost pets online in an effort to help their owners find them (source: The Herald Sun). Which of course is an excellent idea. In fact it’s a NO BRAINER. (If your local pound *isn’t* listing lost pets online in 2013, then they are not offering your community even a basic level of service). However nationally, only a handful of RSPCA run pounds actually list their lost and impounded pets publicly. So surely the way forward isn’t to finger waggle at OTHER pounds – but to lead the way as a national animal welfare organisation, with a centralised lost pet database mandated as policy in all new council tenders they accept.
Computer models show trap-vasectomy-hysterectomy-release may be superior to trap-neuter-release and lethal means for controlling feral cat populations (source: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association). Unfortunately, the modelling fails to take into account welfare and behaviour concerns remedied under a more tradtional TNR program – a good write up of the potential issues with TVHR can be found at Vox Felina.
“Pit Bull” Dogs – Fact Vs. Fiction, by Kathy Pobloskie… “pit bull” is not a breed or breed mix, but an ever expanding group that includes whatever an animal control officer, dog trainer, newspaper, shelter worker, politician, dog owner, or police officer says it is. The dogs lumped under the “pit bull” label are a genetically diverse and expanding group of purebred and mixed-breed dogs with a variety of individual personalities and behaviors. It is totally impossible to apply breed traits to this genetically incoherent group of dogs.” (source: Caledonia Patch)
(United Kingdom) Plans to impose tougher punishments on owners of dogs that kill or injure people will do little to stop the attacks happening, the RSPCA has warned. (source: The Telegraph)
You’ve just welcomed a brand new human arrival into your family, when your local council snatches your dog. At one of the most joyful, yet stressful, times in your life you are forced to decide – do I want to start a court case which may go on for many months, or do I simply allow council & the RSPCA Burwood to kill her? Unfortunately for this girl, her owners – quite understandably – gave up without a fight. ‘Innocence’ the dog was killed without fanfare by a system which cared not about her temperament, history or how many people loved her – but the shape of her head and body. Shame Victoria. Shame. (source: Dogs on Trial)
Mylo, an innocent dog has been impounded under BSL at the Lost Dogs Home since 7 May 2012, after he escaped his yard. As he was not registered, Brimbank council ordered that he was to be killed. In the initial hearing the owner lost and appealed to the Supreme Court. Mylo has lost his most current VCAT hearing on August 20. An appeal is likely. (Source: Dogs on Trial)
Quotable…
“Beware of moderates in the face of revolution. They serve up the status quo and call it something new.” @danpallotta
“Some of you may have seen this boy featured in last week’s copy of New Idea, in which they partnered with PetRescue to profile a rescue dog from each state. Our very own Gus was Mr Queensland! Well, we are here to say thank you, New Idea, thank you, PetRescue – IT WORKED! Gusman has a new home! Well, it’s kinda an ‘old’ home too…seeing her foster-kid of 9 months in print, Denise must have had the realisation that she couldn’t let him go, so she snapped him up before anyone else could get their hands on her celebrity dog! Frankly, we can’t imagine Gus with anyone else – he was made for Denise, Claire, Mishka & Annie. Be happy, baby goof!!!” (source: Arctic Breed Rescue)
Being born without eyes no obstacle to this guy taking his spot as a working cat… “Do not let Squirt’s visual challenges fool you – his other senses allow him to play, cuddle and navigate well around the clinic jumping onto any lap that will allow him.” (source: Greencross Vets)
I think this guy might be my spirit animal…
