These are our own personal thoughts and views. We live our lives trying to ensure that nothing we do will inflict unnecessary pain or suffering on an animal. We love them all and are passionate about their welfare. We hope everyone will join in and help make this a better world in which they live.

A Little bit of Food for Thought...

How many times have you heard people say “I don’t want to visit the animal refuge as I can’t bare to see those poor doggies in the cages” or “I turned off the television as I couldn’t bare to watch that documentary about the poor animals being exported”….. many of us care so deeply about animal cruelty, but we can’t bare to see it or acknowledge it, so we turn away and pretend it doesn’t happen. Others of us do watch – we watch and absorb and although it breaks our hearts and the images that we see keep us awake at night, we become informed and because of the despair we feel, we make the decision to do what we can to help.

Helping takes so many forms – it doesn’t have to cost money, it doesn’t even have to involve time – helping can be as simple as making decisions in your everyday life that are contributing to animal welfare. Think about free range eggs…we all know the benefits to chickens if we select the free range over the factory ones, well, simple things like these everyday choices really can make a difference. When you think about it, if everyone made the same decision (to buy free range eggs and free range chicken) there would be no more battery hens! Every tiny little bit helps – what YOU do as an individual really does count!

Here are a few really obvious things that, if we all did them, we could dramatically change the world!!…

*** DESEXING: Such a simple, simple solution!! Desex your pet and stop unwanted litters of puppies and kittens coming into the world! It is such a ridiculously simple solution – yet millions of animals are still “allowed to have one or two litters” – please….seriously, think about the hundreds of off-spring each of those litters will produce… There are too many animals and not enough homes already, and thousands of healthy animals are euthanised daily as it is – how simple would it be to do your part and DESEX your pet!

*** GET YOUR NEXT PET FROM A RESCUE CENTRE: There are literally thousands of Animal Rescue Centres around the country – around the world!! Why oh why are people still walking into pet stores and buying animals that have been bred to be sold for profit – when our refuges are killing loving, healthy animals every day! Pick up any newspaper or trading magazine and check the Pet section – row after row of unwanted pets are available – Pet Shops, Markets, Websites…the list goes on! There are simply too many pets and not enough loving homes! Please don’t buy that cute puppy or kitten in the shop window – save a life and offer a home to an otherwise unwanted pet and truly help to stop the cycle.

(Visit www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com for more information)

***EDUCATE YOURSELF on what is happening around the world AND STAND UP AND BE HEARD: Do you realise that in China, millions of dogs and cats are eaten annually and millions more are skinned alive, left to die by freezing to death? Are you aware of the torturous conditions that many of the battery pigs are bred and live in right here in Australia? Do you realise that many of the products you use every single day are painfully tested on innocent animals? The list goes on and topics such as these, the cruelty of live exports, fur products, circus animals etc etc etc are EVERYONE’S business – and if they make you sad, you need to STAND UP AND BE HEARD!! This doesn’t have to mean turning vegan or marching in a fur-protest rally, it means that if you get the chance to sign a petition, purchase free range pork or to otherwise have a voice, EXERCISE THAT VOICE – your support really does matter and will help create a change. (visit www.animlasasia.org or www.savebabe.com.au or one of the hundreds of other organisations that will bring you the cold hard facts about the suffering our animals go through. If you truely do love animals, BECOME INVOLVED AND SUPPORT THEM!

***REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE – don’t just get upset or walk away….REPORT IT! If it’s a neighbour who neglects their pet, if it’s a pet shop stuffing windows full of puppies on a hot summer’s day, if it’s a circus whipping an elephant into submission…act on it and fix it. We can all make such a difference if we stop ourselves from turning away and pretending it didn’t happen.

***INCLUDE YOUR PETS! The Jury is in…yes, your pets DO need to be included in your family! It is distressing to know that still, in this day and age, thousands of dogs are left in backyards, unexercised, excluded and otherwise living a pointless existence. Why have a pet if you do not want to reap the benefits they bring – unconditional love, comfort, humour…… Please, when you commit to a pet, bring it into your family and include it – understand its needs and don’t give up on it.

How could you?

This next inclusion is a very powerful story, written by Jim Willis, and forms part of his book “Pieces of My Heart – Writing Inspired by my life with Animals”, published in March 2002 (http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/). Jim says that this piece was written in honor of the millions of pets who have lived and died in circumstances similar to the dog in his story. We believe that Jim's story is incredible. Please read on....

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them, especially their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being your dog to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Pet's Bill of Rights

We love this poem which we found on the internet. We don’t know the author, so we can’t give credit where credit is clearly due but whoever you are…we think you got it just right!

I have the right to give and receive unconditional love
I have the right to a life that is beyond mere survival
I have the right to be trained so that I do not become a prisoner of my misbehaviour
I have the right to adequate food and medical care
I have the right to fresh air and green grass
I have the right to socialize with people and animals outside my own family
I have the right to special time with my people
I have the right to be bred responsibly, if at all
I have the right to be foolish and silly and to make my person laugh
I have the right to earn my person’s trust and to be trusted in return
I have the right to be forgiven
I have the right to die with dignity
I have the right to be remembered well

Lets Talk About Getting a New Pet – But Lets Get Real!

If you have read through “Our Thoughts” thus far, you have probably gotten the message about how seriously we take the responsibility of pet guardianship.

Ask yourself this: why is it that most people consider themselves to be animal lovers yet we are continuously seeing new mediums crop up which are selling or trading in animals….while all the while thousands of healthy (happy) and loving animals are being euthanized by the scores in our shelters, or being passed off, neglected, given away or dumped. Let’s face it, if we weren’t consuming their wares, these mediums would not be able to continue in business and they would cease to exist. So, are we really animal lovers, or are we just “animal lovers in the moment”?

Recently whilst surfing the net, I was unlucky enough to find myself in one of the many online trading sites. Although I should have known better, I entered the pet section; secretly hoping that it would be pet supplies only – not animals themselves. Predictably, I was dismayed at what I found. Scores of advertisements by people wanting to swap their animals, give away their animals (site unseen, whoever wants it!) or, very disturbingly, loads of people advertising for “mates” to backyard-breed their dogs with! Photos of thin, sad, despondent animals chained up, staring into the camera lens without any life whatsoever in their eyes. Waiting to “breed” for their keepers, so that they can produce more puppies to be sold out into the world where already we cannot care for the ones we have!

I wondered why, as a Nation, this is still considered acceptable. I wondered if I am the only person in the world that views those images and feels so sad. Animals bred purely for profit and greed, without thought for the impact their lives will have on the already serious issue of over-population. But if anything is clear it is this: we as a nation obviously support these forums, these sites, these advertisements – otherwise they would not bother to exist! Please think about this next time you are browsing these “cute” animals in the pet section of your newspaper, your trading magazines, your internet sites – they are not cute, they are tragic. They are being traded like nothing more than inanimate objects. And please stop and think about the huge consequences of allowing your pet to remain undesexed to “have a litter or two”.

If you are purchasing a pet (in particular I mean a dog or a cat, however this could apply to everything from a bird to a bunny) wouldn’t you serve the species better by choosing one from the thousands and thousands of rescue services as opposed to lining the pockets of those indiscriminantly selling them wherever/whenever? (Note: Check Our Links section for a few – unfortunately of course there are so many more…) There are some well known rescue organizations such as the RSPCA, Animal Welfare Leagues etc, but additionally there are hundreds more that you may not be aware of, for example, breed specific rescue groups, last chance rescue groups, community rescue groups….and so many more. Certainly so many as to ensure your perfect pet will be found at one of them!

It is terribly distressing that, even today with all the public awareness, some people still harbour the mindset that all of these animals that end up in the shelters and rescue groups (in particular dogs) are only there because they are bad, mad or otherwise – this is not true! They are there because their people let them down! There is no such thing as a bad dog – there are only bad dog owners. Yes sure, some have suffered trauma and neglect so naturally may come with issues such as little or no training, so they may require an extra dose of patience and love to rehabilitate them into your home, but the majority of these dogs just want a happy, loving home and will give you immense gratitude and love from the first day home with you! And besides – ANY dog takes commitment – if you are not prepared to give your pet time and training (which it’s previous owners may not have, hence creating the problem!) then it will have behaviour issues no matter what its background is! Just because its in a shelter or rescue organization does not mean it doesn’t deserve a chance at having a forever home – it has usually ended up there due to it’s previous owners shortcomings or poor planning for their future commitment. They are there because they were discarded when their impulse purchase grew too big, dumped them when the dog started barking too much due to the lack of exercise (lazy owners who don’t realise the importance of exercise), handed in when the owners have decided to move and don’t want to bother trying to find a dog friendly property, left alone when an owner has passed away – a zillion reasons – NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GREAT DOGS! There is nothing more rewarding than giving a good home to a gorgeous doggy who, without you, would not have had many more days to smell the roses. Oh, and wanting a so-called “designer dog” or even a purebred – well the shelters and breed-specific rescue groups are so full, you will literally find anything you want – gone are the days when a monetary value guaranteed a dog a long happy life with its family. Want a playful puppy – visit the shelter, they’ll have plenty. Wanting an older, more sedate dog, why not give a second chance to an old dog … its all there, just stop assuming that you wont find a great, happy, well adjusted dog at a shelter and stop believing that old wives tale that “refuge dogs are trouble” – its simply not true – you are just as likely to have issues with a pedigree if you don’t treat it right!

If you want a pure breed dog that comes with a family history, then please ensure you know the difference between a “Breeder” and a “Registered Breeder” Anyone can call themselves a Breeder – there’s the back yard variety, the novice (oh, she should just have one litter) variety, and a mired of other “Breeders” out there. However Registered Breeders must of course be Registered in their state, comply to a code of conduct and ethics and promote the welfare of animals – this means that they will personally interview prospective pet guardians to deem their suitability, educate them, and often accept an animal back to rehome it if the pet turns out to be a wrong fit for the family, ensuring it finds a suitable forever home. Good Registered Breeders really do consider the welfare of an animal and its breed over monetary gain. They do what they do as they are passionate about a breed – not as a source of income (as good Registered Breeders have many out-of-pocket expenses to ensure their puppies are healthy and have all the right shots, vaccinations, etc). If you are buying a pet and the Breeder is genuinely a “Registered Breeder” then they will be able to provide evidence of such, your pet's family history etc. Don’t be fooled to think that someone calling themselves a Breeder is in fact anything more than a back yard breeder, churning out animals for profit. For example, try this little test: enter most pet stores and enquire where their puppys come from - most will say “Oh we get them from a breeder” – this of course should not be confused with an ethical Registered Breeder, who will not supply a pet store! It is important to know the difference.