Details from the now approved Rockley Valley Park Pty Ltd, Dog Breeding Facility in Bathurst (Fosters Valley) NSW
The proposal involves a dog breeding facility for capacity of 60 dogs, comprising 8 males and 52 females. The facility proposes:
- 15 kennels and associated fenced dog run;
- A building containing 20 whelping kennels and outdoor fenced space;
- 8 mating kennels and associated dog runs
There is no general access by the public to the site, which will be managed by one caretaker who will reside in the existing dwelling on site. Two employees will frequent the site each week and a veterinarian will visit the site approximately once per week.... The existing dwelling house will be occupied by the dog breeding manager
60 dogs + innumerous puppies, to three staff. Claiming to provide "well-socialised" and "well trained" puppies.
The dog breeding facility will provide the occasional training course where there is expected to be 12 persons in attendance. Training courses are anticipated to occur 6-10 times per year with no accommodation on site.... Training will be provided to existing and future dog breeders 6-10 times per annum to a maximum of 12 people for a 1-day programme.
Training, not for dogs you understand, but other dog breeders. Hundreds of them.
It is the intention of Rockley Valley Park to work with the recognised animal welfare groups such as the RSCPA (sic) and AWL Australia to establish an accreditation and recognition scheme so that members of the public can acquire their family pet from a reliable and ethical source.
The proposed facility seeks to raise well socialised puppies that have experienced love and care at the site and have been properly trained prior to the dogs being sold at the Kellyville Pets facility.
Public Interest
As this dog breeding facility will be a state-of-the-art* dog breeding facility that will be an exemplar for other facilities to follow. The owner of Rockley Valley Park, Mr John Grima, has a high profile in the Pet Industry Association and is seeking to ensure that supply of puppies and dogs to his pet shop and other pet shops is undertaken in a manner that has the best interest of the dogs and the future owners at heart.
*based on what? (highlighting mine)
It is the aim of this facility to provide training for existing and future dog breeders to ensure that the facilities are in accordance with the Pet Industry Association guidelines and over time progressively raise the bar for dog breeding facilities so that future purchases of dogs can be guaranteed that the dogs have been bred and trained in an ethical manner.
The PIAA want to be the go-to representative for bulk-pet breeders. Which is obviously gross. But also, terrible news for the dogs themselves...
It is important to note that the breeding dogs are also trained to ensure that once they have had their five litters that they are also rehomed and will be a well-trained pet for a potential purchaser.
So these poor bloody dogs will live on this farm until they have had five litters of puppies, making them probably six years old. Or basically half their lives.
And given there are 60 adult dogs on this farm this means there will be probably a dozen adult, farm-socialised dogs looking for a home every year. And we're supposed to consider this a good thing, because there's such a huge market for aged dogs who piss indoors and bunk out when you turn on the tv? huh.
But having huge breeding kennels isn't where this new dog breeding initiative ends.
PIAA would like to see the PIAA Companion Animal Centre concept considered as an alternative to shutting down pet stores, or exempt from the puppy and kitten sale restrictions to be imposed on pet shops. The PCAC is a destination centre that is transparent and focused on animal welfare, education, staff training, socialisation of pets, rehoming, desexing and after purchase advice. It is the new face of pet shops and should be allowed to sell puppies and kittens from breeders as well as rescue pets.
https://piaa.net.au/5131-2/
What is a PIAA Companion Animal Centre? I'm so glad you asked!
"PIAA is presently finalising an accreditation scheme for retail members that will result in them being recognised as a PIAA Companion Animal Centre of excellence."
(PIAA) CEO REPORT Mark Fraser, Pet Industry News)
Australian Winter 2017 Vol 27 No 2
Pet shops aren't pet shops any more. No, no, no. They're PIAA Companion Animal Centres!
A PCAC is a place where the public can "... acquire a new pet in confidence without having to worry where it came from...". Lulz. Because it will be somewhere like Rockley Valley Park Pty Ltd!
But not only that, they'll sell RESCUE animals too! Because nothing says "happy rescuer" like the suggestion of sharing space with oodle-doodles from a farm.
But really, no please... go on....
Oh yes, this seems like a very valid idea. Rescue pets right alongside boxed-shipped Pookimo, Megales and Puggles all joining together in a happy Companion Animal Centre experience.
Oh yes, well.
And just in case you missed it...
Well known brands. Good-golly-gosh I can't even begin to imagine who they mean (*cough* RSPCA *cough* AWL) and that all of this is happening in the style of a slow-motion, car-crash and none of the major "animal welfare agencies" seem to have anything to say about it.
Seriously tfw?
See also
- (January 3, 2018) - Animal Welfare League NSW betrays pets, joins puppy farmers
- (October 29, 2017) - Who is the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA)?
Update 22 Feb 18
Bathurst Regional Council has voted unanimously to endorse plans to build an $841,000 dog breeding facility at Fosters Valley.
Pet Industry Association board member John Grima will build the facility about 20 kilometres south of Bathurst to supply dogs for sale in his Sydney pet store, Kellyville Pets.
...
Mr Grima addressed Wednesday night’s council meeting when plans for the breeding facility were finally put to the vote and said it would help combat a shortage of suitable pets, particularly small dog breeds, currently available for sale in the state.
“Based on the analysis we’ve undertaken with the Pet Industry Association of Australia, the RSPCA, the Animal Welfare League, the Australian Veterinary Association and Dogs NSW there is currently a demand for 132,000 dogs or puppies in NSW every year,” he said.
“Based on current numbers, only 50 per cent of that demand can be met by a combination of shelters, pet stores and breeders registered to Dogs NSW.
“That means around 66,000 dogs or puppies are more than likely being supplied from online sales where there’s no transparency and animal welfare protection.”
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/5244419/its-unanimous-council-backs-dog-breeding-facility-at-fosters-valley/?cs=115#slide=2