WA responds with overwhelming support for puppy farm reform

The reforms, which are part of a McGowan government election promise, has received overwhelming community support.

Local Government minister David Templeman released the results on November 26 following a three-month consultation period, in which 4,754 submissions were received on the proposed laws.

Community consultation revealed that Western Australians strongly support all the provisions of the reform proposal, with 77 per cent supportive of mandatory dog de-sexing for non-breeding dogs, 61 per cent supportive of transitioning pet shops to adoption centres and 83 per cent supportive of a centralised registration system.

Mr Templeman said the result of the consultation spoke volumes.

“Western Australians love their dogs and the state government is demonstrating its commitment to improving the health, well-being and protection of dogs in WA,” he said.

“These reforms will contribute to a more regulated breeding industry, and a reduction in the number of dogs needing re-homing and suffering neglect.”

Mr Templeman said the state government would now analyse the consultation results, and determine what was the best way to deliver the policy, whether that be as additional legislation or regulation.

He said the changes could be expected in the second half of 2019.

SAFE executive officer Anne Boxhall said the organisation saw the proposed reforms as a very positive development for animal welfare and congratulated the state government. 

“With SAFE we do see the result of over-breeding and the impact over-supply can have, it results in so many unwanted dogs,” she said.

“We are extremely pleased to see the government putting these reforms in place.”

SAFE was founded in Karratha in 2003 and has expanded to become WA’s largest volunteer-based animal rescue and re-homing service using the foster care model.

The group has branches in Albany, Avon Valley, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton,  Carnarvon, Esperance, Goldfields, Hedland, Karratha, Newman and Perth.

Since its inception, more than 23,000 animals have been saved and adopted.

Implementation Working Group chairperson Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said she was delighted to see the proposed reforms had broad community support.

“In fact, of the people who didn’t support our measures, most of them actually wanted stronger protections in place for our dogs rather than less,” she said.

Mr Templeman used the announcement to urge the community to understand where puppies originated before supporting puppy farmers.

Potential purchasers should visit the breeder to ensure they see the breeding conditions and the parents, wherever possible.

He said the community could do their bit by buying puppies from registered breeders or adopting from shelters this Christmas.

“By doing so, they can ensure that their new family member comes from a healthy and happy background with a lower chance of future medical and behavioural issues that can be caused by over-breeding,” he said.

Ms Boxhall echoed Mr Templeman’s call, and said by adopting from a rescue organisation, it ensured new owners weren’t unwittingly supporting unethical breeders.

“Our animals are in regular homes with our foster program so we get really good information on their health, personality and know what they are like in that home environment,” she said.

As for those who have their heart set on a particular breed, Ms Boxhall said she could understand this desire, however, pure bred dogs weren’t immune to being abandoned for many reasons, including over-supply.

“There are a lot of pure breds still in rescue waiting to be adopted,” she said.

“In fact, there are a large amount of rescue organisations for specific breeds so I would suggest for those people who want a certain breed to try those groups.

“I really advise people to do their homework to ensure they are dealing with a fully registered breeder, and to get some reviews and feedback.”

For more information on SAFE and the available animals, visit safe.org.au.