News and updates

The Dogs Australia Website is now back up online!

Dear Members,

One of the main objectives of the RNSWCC Health & Welfare Charity Ltd is the direct relief of suffering in dogs. 

A pilot program is in development partnering with Hawkesbury's Helping Hands to address a wide range of significant welfare and health needs in dogs owned by those experiencing homelessness or personal crises.

In addition to our Charity-funded activities in the pilot, the Charity seeks donations of dog coats to add to our contributions.

Members who wish to donate unwanted dog coats in good condition, can drop them off in the Amenities Building over the weekend or at DOGS NSW Office throughout the week.

All donations will be accepted with much appreciation.

Thank you in anticipation of your assistance.

Hugh Gent OAM
President, RNSWCC Health & Welfare Charity Ltd

The Dogs Australia Executive Committee has confirmed that this decision applies to all certificates.

DOGS NSW Honorary Life Member since 2017, former Senior Vice President of three years and Director of DOGS NSW from 2009 to 2021, much beloved Russell Britten passed away peacefully in Wollongong Hospital on Saturday 22 July 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

He was a beloved father to Simon and Kristen, father-in law of Nicole and Michael, as well as much loved Pa to Courtney, Thomas, Luke and Ryan and Great Pa to Cooper.

Russell will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Aged 85 years ~ Finally At Peace ~ Forever In our Hearts Always

Family and friends are welcome to attend Russell's Funeral Service to be held at:
Hansen & Cole Funerals
634 Northcliffe Drive
Kembla Grange 

on Wednesday, 2 August 2023 commencing at 12pm.

Hansen & Cole Funerals - Kembla Grange (02) 4272 4900

Dear Members,

As the DOGS NSW flags fly at half-mast, it is with a heavy heart that I inform the membership of the sad passing of Mr Russell Britten.

Known to his friends as “Russ”, he was a Life Member of DOGS NSW since 2017, a former Senior Vice President of three years and served the membership as a Director of DOGS NSW from 2009 to 2021.

Always a kind gentleman and a tireless supporter of the Dog World, Russ will be sorely missed by us all.

Details of Russell’s funeral are yet to be made available.

Lynette Brown
President

Please see Press Release from Dogs Australia regarding the 2023 Inductees to the Retrieving & Field Hall of Fame here.

The Minutes of the Dogs Australia Special Board Meeting held on 17 June 2023 can be found here.

Charles Sturt University is currently recruiting to multiple vacancies on the Charles Sturt University Animal Ethics Committee. Ideally they are seeking individuals located within the regional footprint of the University, but thanks to digital meetings they will consider applicants from any location. The position description and a cover letter from Professor Michael Friend, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and innovation).

The current vacancies include:

• Veterinarian (Category A member)
• Animal Welfare Practitioner (Category C member)
• Layperson (Category D member)

The Animal Ethics Committee reviews teaching and research proposals involving the scientific use of animals to ensure that they are ethically acceptable and follow relevant standards and guidelines. The Committee also ensures that the use of animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals and incorporates into their use the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. The University is an accredited Animal Research Establishment and as such the Animal Ethics Committee provides assurance that the University is compliant with Animal Research legislation.

They would love to hear from you if you are interested in being part of our ethics committee. To apply, please submit an expression of interest addressing the selection criteria.

All applications should be emailed to:

Ms Elizabeth Harangozo, Manager, Research Integrity - [email protected]

This week, AVA representatives briefed the committee undertaking the NSW Government’s inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW.  

AVA Head of Veterinary and Public Affairs Dr Cristy Secombe and NSW Division President Dr Zachary Lederhose were invited to present to the Inquiry Committee Members as part of this briefing. The presentation included some background on the veterinary workforce shortage in Australia, a summary of the main factors driving the shortage and proposed solutions. 

This inquiry was announced following the AVA’s NSW Election Platform advocacy on key priorities pre- and post NSW election, including  rural and regional workforce issues.  

The AVA continues to drive advocacy on this extremely important issue. Currently the AVA are undertaking a consultation process with members and key stakeholders to inform the AVA representations to the inquiry. Member feedback will inform a comprehensive AVA submission and representations to the inquiry. 

To read more please click here.

For further information from the Upper House NSW Parliamentary enquiry into Vet Shortages please click here.

The attention of DOGS NSW members is drawn to Dogs Australia Regulations Part 8: Member Bodies & Membership, Section 2:  Membership, Clauses 2.1 & 2.3), as follows:-

SECTION 2
Membership
2.1    A member of an ANKC Ltd Member Body must, as a minimum, be a member of the Member Body for the jurisdiction in which they reside.  This membership shall be regarded as the person’s Primary Membership.  A member of a Member Body shall have a maximum of 1 (one) Primary Membership.  This will not prevent persons from joining the Member Bodies of other jurisdictions, either individually or in partnership. (Added 02/21, 5.4 effective 01/07/21)

2.3    A person shall only be permitted to transact all member services, ie, register and maintain a prefix, register a litter or a dog, apply for a title or participate in a Judges Training Program, or undertake an activity similar to aforementioned, in the jurisdiction in which they hold their Primary Membership as defined in 2.1, above. (Added 02/21, 5.4 effective 01/07/21)

Further, in accordance with a long standing agreement between Dogs Australia Administrators, which was re-affirmed at its meeting in October 2022, applications received from members of other Member Bodies should be rejected and the member advised to submit their application through their own Member Body.

Therefore, DOGS NSW members must submit all applications for processing through DOGS NSW Office.