Operation Toby Supports Bill:Operation Toby Supports Bill:
Pets Are Not
A Consumer Item
Operation Toby - an independent, non-profit pet re-homing initiative - has added its voice to the growing chorus of support for MP Clover Moore's Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill.
The Bill aims to dramatically reduce the continually increasing numbers of dogs, cats, kittens and puppies destroyed each year after being discarded by their owners. If it becomes law, only registered breeders, pounds, animal shelters and vets will be able to sell pets to the public.
www.operationtoby.com.au is a website that acts as a central directory of all available rescue group, Council pound and other animal shelter websites that offer photo galleries of pets for adoption.
Founder of Operation Toby Inc, Ms Jordan Kelly, says:
"Spontaneous, uneducated purchasing of kittens and puppies is one of the major factors contributing to this annual destruction. Pet shops and backyard breeders are fuelling a 'consumer item' mentality towards pets.
"It's a purely profit-driven scenario; there's no concern for the outcome for the animal whatsoever."
Ms Kelly says Operation Toby is constantly bombarded with pleas for help from a variety of re-homing organisations, from breed-specific and pedigree-based rescue groups to Council pounds and regional animal shelters.
She says Clover Moore's Bill would have a dual positive impact.
"Firstly, it would put a stop to puppy breeding mills and other unscrupulous breeding practices. Secondly, it would see those animals who still end up in pounds - usually through no fault of their own - given a far greater chance of finding a home."
Ms Kelly points out that the quoted destruction figure for New South Wales - 60,000 cats and dogs annually - is a "gross under-estimation".
"When I first became involved in re-homing issues I conducted considerable research and compiled a number of reports for the benefit of my local council. This figure was quoted then, and it was generally accepted at that time, five years ago, as very conservative.
"Since then, I've received plea after plea from rescue groups and shelters that are full to the brim, with the periods of respite fewer and fewer. I believe the real figure was much higher then, and I believe it is even higher now.
"And even if New South Wales is 'only' destroying 60,000 unwanted pets per year, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that that's equivalent to the entire human population of Coffs Harbour. And we're doing it every single year.
"We should also be cognisant that this figure represents only one state of Australia. If this Bill becomes law, it will set a socially responsible and appropriately evolved example for the rest of the country to follow."
Ms Kelly says anyone wishing to loan their support to the Bill can visit www.operationtoby.com.au / www.operationtoby.co.nz and follow an easy series of prompts to send a letter to the appropriate politicians, requesting them to vote in support of the Bill.
ENDS.
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Further Information:
Jordan Kelly
Founder
Operation Toby Inc.
toby@operationtoby.com.au
02 4567 8800