Pet Shop Boyz News
Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2008
Written by: Jim Delaney, 04 Feb 2009
In 2007 Clover Moore independent member for Sydney introduced legislation to ban the sale of all mammals in Pet Stores within the state of NSW.
(If you click any blue lettering it is a link and will take you to more information.)
This initial legislation was later redrafted by Clover Moore and will shortly be presented back into the NSW Parliament for consideration maybe as early as 3/3/2009. In my opinion this legislation has the potential to impact significantly on our ability to own dogs and cats and to breed them even as registered breeders under the relevant cat and dog controlling bodies within this state. If this legislation passes parliament I have grave concerns about the further implications for other state governments who may copy similar legislation.
The President of Dogs NSW has emailed and published information to over 11,500 members of that organisation informing them of the potential impact of this legislation. Dogs NSW will of course lobby the parliament in conjunction with other interested peak organisations.
I ask all interested breeders of cats and dogs to look at the legislation (See also a downloadable copy attached to this news article at the bottom of this article) and then consider what action that you may choose to take personally or to support your organisation who may wish to lobby against the bill for you. I suggest that you support your organisation and also send personal letters and emails to your local member of the state of NSW parliament.
If you are a registered breeder then you should pay particular attention to Part 4 - Regulation of Recognised Breeders and various other sections of the proposed legislation by Clover Moore MP. This section may have dire consequences when administered by the state public service.
In the 'big scheme' of things and as a single person we often feel powerless and ineffective in lobbying for big changes at a government level. In part this is why we form organisations with common ideals and then we focus our energy through those organisations. The problem with this comes at times like this when our organisations may be under resourced, not skilled at lobbying or slower to respond as they gather information from their membership to more accurately represent a collective view.
I am a member of a number of focused interest groups for example I have been a member of Dogs NSW now since 1970 some 39 years, I am also a member of the NSW Weimaraner Club, the Queensland Weimaraner Club and the American Weimaraner Club. It is through these groups that I focus my energy and share my hobby and my knowledge.
At the moment we as breeders are faced with a significant change that may be imposed on us by default through this legislation, legislation that has the intention of protecting and safe guarding the security and well being of our beloved cat and dog pets may well enshrine dire consequences for registered breeders.
If you choose to make a difference on a personal level and also to support your organisation in stopping this legislation then here are some very simple things that you can do to support the rejection of this legislation, when we all act together and in concert the outcome can be overwhelming, together we can influence our elected representatives to reject this proposed new regulatory legislation. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
My research tells me that the most powerful thing you can do as a voter in NSW is to bring your personal feedback and opposition to this bill to your local member of parliament either in person or by sending a simple hand written letter. Write to your local member even if he or she is a back bencher or a member of the opposition party. These are the TWO most effective means of lodging a meaningful protest against the legislation. With this communique I have attached a suggested letter, use this as a basis for your letter but make it personal as form letters are NOT as effective as personal hand written letters.
After this support your organisation to help them lobby on your behalf and now please follow the SIMPLE instructions below.
- As an individual voter this is the most powerful thing that you can do! Write a simple handwritten letter to your local parliamentarian or call his/her office and make an appointment to tell him/her personally that you oppose this legislation. This is very easy to do so don't feel intimidated or shy, if you need encouragement or help then call me. If you feel you can't do this then look at the next point.
- Find out what electorate you are in use this link. Open the link then simply type in your postcode to find your electorate. Then attached to this news article is the email address of your MP, simply find his or her name on the list and then click the email address. Send him or her a simple email asking them to vote against this legislation on your behalf. Don't forget to put your name and home address so that they can verify that you live in their electorate.
- If you prefer to write a simply letter requesting your MP to vote against the legislation then you will also find a simple example letter attached to this news item, remember use it as a guide and hand write your own letter letter. The letter is called MP Request letter and is located at the bottom of this news item.
- Be active in your organisation. If you are a member of a dog club or a cat club bring this information to the attention of your organising committee and ask them to write to your local parliamentarian seeking him or her to vote against the legislation.
- Vote on our Poll at the bottom RHS of our home page. PETSHOPBOYZ
- Offer to help other people or organisations who are lobbying on your behalf. Call them and offer your support.
- All attachments are in the form of links at the bottom of this article.
- Anybody who may wish to link their website to this page or the U tube presentation on the front page of our site are more than welcome. Please help spead the word and hopefully we will get bulk support and the action that we need so urgently.
I am passionate about my dogs and my hobby, I have had pets in my homes now for over 54 years and It would be tragic if we allowed this over regulatory legislation to pass through the parliament without our voice being adequately heard. Doing just one small thing will help our cause.
DON"T GIVE UP - Remember - Harriet Beecher Stowe once said......Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Attachments
- Clover Moore Legislation - b2004-704-d22-House.pdf (517KB)
- Department of Primary Industry Response - DPI response letter to PIAA 18 Jan 08.pdf (267KB)
- MP List - State Members.pdf (39.3KB)
- MP Request letter. - Document1.pdf (7.8KB)
