News and updates
Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5 - Conformation Show
13-12-2022Please note that Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5 – Conformation Show has been updated with the decisions from the October 2022 Board meeting in relation to Items 5.13 and 7.5.3 as follows.
Item 5.13: New Clause 2.3.7 added to read:
2.3.7 Infectious Diseases or Viruses (Added 10/22, 5.13. Effective 01/01/23)
a) If a dog has been in a kennel or premises affected with distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus or any other virulent contagious disease (except Kennel Cough), it shall not be permitted to attend any State Member Body event or grounds for a period of 12 weeks from the date of the first diagnosis or onset of symptoms.
b) If a dog has been in a kennel or premises affected with or diagnosed with Canine Cough (also referred to as Kennel Cough or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex) it shall not be permitted to attend any State Member Body event or grounds for a period of three weeks after the date of the first diagnosis or onset of symptoms.
c) An event organiser or affiliate official may ask for a dog to be immediately removed from any State Member Body event or grounds if that dog is visibly unwell or showing symptoms of the contagious diseases listed in (a) or (b). This shall be recorded in the Representative’s report.
Please click here to view the entire copy of the amended Regulations Part 5 - Conformation Show.
Item 7.5.3: Delete Clause 1.1.7 and amend Clause 4.1 to read as follows:
SECTION 4 Exhibitors
4.1 Ownership Interest
4.1.1 No person shall enter or exhibit a dog in any sanctioned conformation exhibition at which a judge who is a member of the competitor's immediate family, or who resides at the same address, or who has had a proprietary interest in such dog whether solely or in partnership is scheduled to officiate
4.1.2 A person may not exhibit or handle under a judge officiating at a conformation show where:
a. The person is a member of the judge’s family and/or resides at the same address as the judge.
b. The judge has or has had any ownership interest in a dog or dogs solely or in partnership with the member within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show.
c. Where the judge has handled any dog owned, leased or part leased by the person within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show.
d. The person has accommodated the judge or been accommodated by the judge within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show or intends to accommodate the judge within 24 hours after the conformation show
e. The judge has trained or groomed for reward, for gift or favour a dog owned, or part owned, leased or part leased by the person in a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show
f. The dog was bred by the judge or the judge’s family.
g. For the purposes of these regulations the definition “handled” does not include any circumstance where a person has assisted another exhibitor who, due to a judging decision on the day, was required to compete with two or more exhibits at the same time. (Clause 4.1.2 amended 10/22, 7.5.3. Effective 01/01/23)
Dogs Australia are updating their website with the amended regulations.
Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farm) Bill 2021 - *Letters to Politicians*
28-10-2022Members are reminded of the ongoing amendments to the Companion Animals Amendment Bill. As advised by the President in her report in last week’s Weekly Woof, recently in the Parliamentary Upper House NSW, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party joined to advance the Bill “The Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2021”. The Bill bans pet shops from selling anything other than dogs or cats, who are needing rehoming.
The following are the 10 significant points which will affect DOGS NSW members:-
1) Two litter limit in a lifetime (what advantage or scientific evidence that this is of benefit to any species).
2) Desexing all male dogs over the age of 6 years (same as above).
3) Not breeding from a female if the previous litter had a hereditary fault (how is the hereditary fault proven to be that of the mother only).
4) Not mating dogs related by blood (dogs evolve from wolves so all could be said to be somewhere related).
5) Council enforcement officers have the right to enter and seize animals on premises without right of appeal, if there is any non-compliance.
6) What qualifies any Council officer to assess dog breeding matters.
7) How does this Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farm) Bill 2021 actually address finding the “Puppy Farms” and their farmers who are all under the radar whilst DOGS NSW is transparent with its registrations containing microchip numbers, etc. (DOGS NSW suggests that the authorities mount a blitz on advertising on Gumtree and online platforms and use current up to date methods as used in looking for criminals to locate these puppy farms.
8) DOGS NSW member breed clubs offer rehoming.
9) DOGS NSW breeders have to pass a theory examination and have their premises inspected before being allowed a breeding prefix with DOGS NSW.
10) DOGS NSW self-regulates with inspections of its breeders premises and kennelling.
All members are URGED to continue to lobby their Local Members and any Parliamentarian that they may have contact with that we, DOGS NSW, are breeders within an organisation whose Code of Ethics contains, in many cases, more stringent requirements than that which is contained in the DPI’s Animal Welfare Code of Practice. We have attached a list of contact email addresses for NSW Government Politicians. Please click here to view the full list of contact details.
If your local Member of Parliament is not on the previous list, please refer to the NSW Government website which lists all Members of Parliament by clicking here.
In addition, members concerns can be emailed to:-
The Hon Chris Minns, MP, NSW Leader Opposition ([email protected] or [email protected])
RNSWCC Charity Grants
11-10-2022Royal NSW Canine Council Health and Welfare Charity Limited (RNSWCCHWC) General Approach and Philosophy
Royal NSW Canine Council Health and Welfare Charity Limited (RNSWCCHWC) is an organisation whose objective is to prevent or relieve the suffering of canines. The charity will achieve these objectives by:
(i) arranging short-term direct care for canines which have been lost, mistreated, or are without owners.
(ii) arranging for the rehabilitation of orphaned, sick, or injured canines which have been lost, mistreated or are without owners.
(iii) funding research into the causes, prevention, or cure of diseases in canines.
(iv) creating and endowing scholarships and fellowships.
(v) providing education in relation to all aspects of canines.
(vi) arranging for the training of canines to assist people who are disadvantaged; and
(vii) anything ancillary to the Objectives.
RNSWCCHWC supports research that will improve the health and lives of all dogs. RNSWCCHWC will achieve this by awarding grants to scientists and professionals to support research that concerns the origins of canine illnesses, assists the diagnoses of canine diseases, aids in the development of effective treatments and assists disease prevention strategies.
We encourage individuals to submit applications to fund research projects that will improve the health of all dogs.
The research seeding grant process is stringent and all applications for funding are reviewed in the first instance by the RNSWCCHWC Board of Directors for compliance with charity objectives. Two independent expert reviewers will next undertake further assessment of each of the finalists and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board will then determine the successful application(s), having regard to the recommendation(s) made to it. In so doing, the Board of Directors will ensure the grants are awarded to research projects that, 1) meet the objectives of the Charity and, 2) are designed with scientific rigour that enables findings to materially contribute to the body of knowledge in canine health or welfare.
All studies involving animals must provide evidence of complying with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (current Animal or Human Ethics Approval) before funds are transferred.
Funding Opportunities
Applications are sought from Australian researchers from disciplines including, but not limited to, veterinary research, genetics, and animal science. Collaborative projects involving researchers from a variety of disciplines and/or institutions, including human health researchers will be considered.
Seed funding to a maximum of $15,000 is available in 2022. The funded amount is inclusive of on-costs to a maximum of 8% of the funding awarded.
Applications must be completed by 5pm, 30th November 2022 (AEDT)
Criteria:
To be eligible applications must:
• directly address the objectives the Charity;
• provide evidence of current Animal and or Human Ethics Approvals for research team and the project described if required before funds are issued;
• support research into the causes, prevention, or cure of diseases in canines
• exclude requests for:
- ICT or Camera equipment – major specialist equipment will be considered
- Salary support for the chief investigator/s
- Travel (Travel requests may be made under a separate scheme)
- Projects involving animal euthanasia
- have a project duration of under 2 years - extensions may be awarded subject to evidence of satisfactory progress.
- return unexpended funds at the conclusion of the project
Accountability
• Brief annual progress report provided before release of annual funding
• At conclusion of research:
- Provision of an executive summary suitable for lay-person audience for publication on the RNSWCCHWC website and Dogs Australia affiliate publications
- 4-page scientific paper outlining the research outcomes of the project
• RNSWCCHWC to be provided copies of any publications arising from the funding and these to be open access so that they can be freely linked to the charity web portal
• RNSWCCHWC to be acknowledged in all public presentations / publications arising from the funding
• Resulting work to aim for publication in academic journals in the top 10% of the field index
• Open access publication – extra funding for page charges of successful open-access publications directly resulting from funded projects may be provided on request
Instructions for Application Submission
Applications to be received by email: [email protected]
Applications received by 5pm (AEDT) 29 November, 2022, following the template provided below.
Other Instructions
Successful applicants failing to meet agreed accountability criteria will be excluded from further funding from the RNSCCHWC for a period of two years.
Please click here for the Application for Research Funding 2022.
RNSWCC 2022 BOARD ELECTION RESULTS Metro Results
08-10-2022Mrs L Brown - 316 votes - ELECTED
Ms M Campbell - 88 votes
Mrs L Brand - 347 votes - ELECTED
Mr S Oliver - 292 votes - ELECTED
Mr G Spagnolo - 310 votes - ELECTED
Mrs V Etherington OAM - 235 votes
Mrs S McFadden - 328 votes - ELECTED
Mrs Y Yun - 176 votes
FCI Podcast: The Behavioural Development of Puppies
13-05-2022The early weeks in puppies’ lives are critical for various reasons; one of them is behavioural development. 
Improper socialisation leads to many behavioural problems, triggering further animal welfare matters, such as dog abandonment, abuse, and even euthanasia.
Why is this period so vital?
What is happening during this time?
And what may be the consequences when a litter of puppies is not treated properly?
In this episode, Zazie Todd—the award-winning author of the book ‘Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy’ and the creator of the Companion Animal Psychology blog and The Pawsitive Post newsletter—gives us a thorough insight into this critical period for dogs.
Click here to view the podcast.
Attention: Club / Show Secretaries - Complaints received at a Show
13-05-2022The form should be completed in accordance with DOGS NSW Complaints Procedure, which accompanies the complaint form referred to above, and MUST specifically state the Regulation they allege the member is in breach of. The complaint should also be accompanied by the DOGS NSW Representative Report and the marked catalogue (if relevant).
Your attention is also drawn to the requirements for submitting a complaint received at a show which are detailed in DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Clauses 16.4 to 16.6, which read as follows:-
16.4 A complaint alleging a breach of Regulation 16.1 shall be made to the Show Secretary at the show, shall be in writing and, if not made by an official of the Show, shall be accompanied by a lodgement fee of $150 payable to DOGS NSW. (05/11)
16.5 The Show Secretary shall, within 7 days of receipt of a complaint referred to in Regulation 16.4 or becoming aware of a contravention of Regulation 16.1, forward details thereof to the DOGS NSW Secretary, together with all documents received together with the applicable lodgement fee. (05/11)
16.6 A complaint not lodged in accordance with Clauses 16.4 and 16.5 will not be accepted by DOGS NSW unless received within 14 days of the event giving rise to the complaint and accompanied by a late fee of $100, in addition to the applicable lodgement fee of $150. The DOGS NSW Secretary may waive either or both of the original lodgement fee and the late fee upon receipt of a reasonable and acceptable explanation. (05/11)
The full Regulations in relation to complaints at a show can be found under DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Section 16: Misconduct, by clicking here.
FCI Podcast: Ageing of Dogs
13-05-2022Ageing is inevitable, and dogs are no exception.
What is ageing exactly?
- When does it start?
- What exactly happens during the ageing period?
- When can you label it abnormal, and what are the attributes of natural ageing?
- What can you do to reduce or optimise the consequences?
- And how can current scientific findings contribute to human medicine?
This episode with Eniko Kubinyi, Borbála Turcsán, and Ivaylo Iotchev presents a deep insight into the topic of the ageing of dogs.
Please click here or on the image above to view the podcast.
Dogs Australia Special Board Meeting - Feb 2022 - Meeting Summary
29-03-2022Please click here to view the confirmed Meeting Summary of the Dogs Australia Special Board meeting held on 12 February 2022.
Enhancing DOGS NSW position on the Animal Welfare Policy (DPI Consultation Draft Bill) & Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst) Puppy Farm Bill
15-03-2022We are pleased to announce that the submission that DOGS NSW made, on the Animal Welfare Policy (DPI Consultation Draft Bill), which has been received with credibility, allows DOGS NSW to be invited to speak at the Standing Committee on State Development, NSW Parliament next week.
Our PR media relations team are undertaking media outreach today and tomorrow to try to enhance awareness of the issues and DOGS NSW current position on the Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst) Puppy Farm Bill.
This involves distributing a media release and undertaking extensive follow ups to pique the interest of the media and to arrange interviews with the relevant people. We will keep our members updated as to when and where these are being released.
Lyn Brand
President - DOGS NSW
DOGS AUSTRALIA Statement: Breed Ban Response
15-02-2022Please click here to read DOGS AUSTRALIA's Statement in response to the calls for some of Australia's most popular breeds to be banned.
@dogsnsw
