| The Pet Industry Association
of Australia (PIAA) is the peak industry body for Australia’s
$4.62b pa pet industry. The PIAA believes while the objective
of Ms Moore’s bill to protect the well being of cats,
dogs etc is admirable the proposed regulations are not grounded
in reality. As an example PIAA CEO Mr Colin Bransgrove said
“the Bill states no animal may be given as a gift -
therefore a parent could not give a rabbit to their child
as a gift. This is clearly ridiculous”.
PIAA believe the enforcement of the proposed
regulations will be impossible. “The government and
recognised welfare agencies already struggle in regulating
unscrupulous back yard traders. How is it going to police
the proposed wider ban including the banning of internet and
print advertising of pet sales?. Also having Animal Liberation
Australia who state they ‘fight for all non-human animals
until every last one is liberated from suppression’
as one of the policing bodies is clearly ridiculous”
Mr Bransgrove said.
“The Bill blatantly discriminates against
highly visible and increasingly regulated pet store retailers
as a legitimate place to sell pets”. Mr Bransgrove said
pet shops are part of the solution to the problem Clover Moore
is focused on. “Pet shops account for an estimated 6%
of pet sales in Australia while unregulated internet; classified
and market pet sales proliferate. “The unregulated market
is where government should be putting its energy” he
said.
According to Mr Bransgrove PIAA promotes responsible
pet ownership and sets high standards agreed to by government.
We have been working for many years with the NSW government
animal welfare unit to help stamp out rogue traders. We are
currently pushing government to finalise an upgraded NSW Codes
of Practice for retailers” he said.
Mr Bransgrove said pet shop standards continue
to rise and consumers should seek out PIAA members that abide
by the strict PIAA code of practice. “PIAA is leading
the way as part of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
with development of agreed national content for pet care information
distributed at point of sale” he said.
Regarding Ms Moore’s belief that pet stores
encourage impulse buying PIAA Board member and retailer Br
Bob Croucher said with puppies now around $500 - $1,500 they
are not an impulse purchase. “PIAA members provide prospective
pet purchasers with pet care advice including detailed pet
care sheets. Animals are vaccinated, micro chipped and registered
with incentives for desexing and a vet check”. He said
PIAA has an agreement with Dogs NSW that PIAA accredited stores
may sell puppies from Dogs NSW breeders.
Mr Bransgrove said pet stores have an important
and legitimate right to responsibly sell pets and promote
the social and health benefits of pets. “There is an
actual decline in cat and dog numbers in Australia1. If this
Bill is passed it will reduce participation in responsible
pet ownership that currently generates enormous benefits for
63% of Australia households that own a cat or dog”.
For further information contact:
Colin Bransgrove
Chief Executive Officer
Office Number: 02-9659-5811; 0413772
155
Office Address: Suite 45, 11-13 Brookhollow
Ave, Baulkham Hills
Postal Address: PO Box 7108, Baulkham Hills
Business Centre NSW 2153
Email Address: cbransgrove@piaa.net.au
Website: www.piaa.net.au
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