Above: An example of decades of inbreeding.The original bull terrier, on the left, with normal-shaped head is markedly different from today’s dog on the right.
Pedigree dog breeders in Australia have a tremendous opportunity to lead by example and fundamentally change the way dogs are bred in this country.
The RSPCA is calling on breeders to put the focus back on health, welfare and functionality rather than breeding for appearance and adherence to strict breed standards.
The RSPCA’s Chief Scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, said the documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, highlighted some serious problems in the pedigree dog breeding world, problems we’re not immune to in Australia.
“In the UK, all of the top 50 registered breeds have at least one inherited disorder; 35 of those breeds are in Australia’s top 50. Australian breed standards reflect international breed standards so we are certainly dealing with similar issues here.
“Many breed standards have a strong emphasis on physical appearance. Unfortunately, there is a preference for some of the more exaggerated and extreme physical traits such as flat and short faces, excessive skin folds, large bulging eyes, very long backs, very short legs and massive heads.
“As a result we are breeding dogs that have difficulty breathing, difficulty walking, dogs that can’t give birth naturally and dogs with chronic ear, back, eye, skin and joint problems.
“Despite all the evidence against inbreeding, the Australian National Kennel Council is still operating a closed studbook system and registering first and second degree matings (mothers with sons, grandfathers with granddaughters), increasing the chances of inherited disorders and making the puppies less resistant to infectious and genetic diseases.
“There are responsible breeders in Australia who are working hard to overcome these problems, but what is needed is a major shift in attitudes to make breeding a healthy, functional pet more important than adherence to an arbitrary set of physical attributes.”
The RSPCA says everyone has a role to play, including people who buy pedigree dogs. Without asking the right questions, they may inadvertently be contributing to this problem. Check out the RSPCA’s Smart Puppy Buyer’s Guide for tips on how to find a responsible breeder who puts welfare first
Do you want to make a difference and stop these cruel breeding methods?
You can write to your local branch of the Australian National Kennel Council.
Don’t know what to write?Here’s what the RSPCA wants to see changed. We encourage you to request these amendments in your letters.
The RSPCA believes that there needs to be fundamental shift in the way purebred dogs are selected and bred in Australia. The RSPCA would like to see health, functionality and welfare come before aesthetics. This will involve acknowledging the health and welfare problems in each breed and reviewing and revising breeding standards. The RSPCA would like the ANKC to prohibit the registration of 1st and 2nd degree matings, open studbooks, and outcross then backcross where necessary to increase the genetic diversity within certain breeds.
On this site you will find the contact details of each state based organisation. Your state branch is the best way to contact the ANKC.
Here is the the South Australian Branch of the ANKC;
DOGS SA
Box 844
Prospect East SA
5082.
You may also want to write to the State Government.
The State government can encourage responsible breeding. Here’s what the RSPCA would like to see state governments introduce. We encourage you to request these changes in your letters.
The RSPCA would like to see the government introduce compulsory registration and a licensing system for all breeders that includes all aspects of breeding.
Currently in Victoria there is a Code of Practice that safeguards against inbreeding. The RSPCA would like this to be introduced in all states.
Here is the address for the Minister who can make such changes;
Hon. Jay Weatherill, MP (as Environment Minister)
GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001
Office Number: (08) 8 8463 5680
Fax Number: (08) 8463 5681
Email:
Prospective buyers also need to be able to recognise responsible breeding and to be aware of any potential problems in breeds before they purchase an animal. Buying an animal from a breeder without asking the right questions will only contribute to this problem. We need to support responsible breederswho are breeding ethically and ensure prospective buyers are well informed.
Louisa Swalling, an avid RSPCA supporter is also a great photographer and she has now combined her passions in a bid to improve the lives of the thousands of injured, neglected and or homeless animals we care for every year in our four South Australian shelters.
Now it’s up to you to make her vision come true. Louisa has entered a very clever, very stunning photo in a nation wide competition run by Canon called ‘Creative for a Cause’. If she receives the most amount of votes RSPCA SA receives SIXTY THOUSAND dollars. The ways in which this amount of money could help us here at the Society are countless. There is NO doubt it would mean we could do a lot of good and of course directly improve the lives of thousands of animals.
How do you VOTE? Simply INSERT ‘Louisa’ into the ‘SEARCH’ box AND TICK ‘Welfare’. From there you should find a black and white image of a gorgeous dog that Louisa photographed through what looks like a hole in her wall or door?? I am not sure, all I know is it looks fantastic and it could mean a huge ‘donation’ for the RSPCA!
** A little tip - You are (unfortunately) ONLY allowed to vote ONCE. HOWEVER if you have more than one email account; ie a ‘hotmail’ and a work email or a ‘yahoo’ and a ‘hotmail’…you can vote twice, three times (etc.) with those accounts. So if you can, why not double or triple your votes, and our chances!
Please also tell all your friends to vote! This is a fantastic opportunity to help needy animals with the click of a button!
It might seem like you have a while before you have to start thinking about Cupcake Day, but as scary as it is August 17 will be upon us before we know it! So get organised and start thinking about how your going to create the best cupcake!
The idea is; bake up a storm, sell them to friends, family and workmates and help the RSPCA furry friends. It’s on a Monday so you have the weekend to stir, mix and ice up yourself into a frenzy!
You can also order from the RSPCA, so spread the word - we want the whole of Adelaide to be feasting on cupcakes and helping the thousands of animals the RSPCA cares for every year; a charitable sugar fix, brilliant!
While many dog owners may not know that onion and sultanas are bad for your dog (see previous blog on household items/food that can harm your dog), chocolate is the one food just about everyone knows can harm your precious pet. However cocoa, the harmful ingredient in chocolate, does exist in many other products, and it can hide in the most unlikely places. Cocoa Mulch is advertised as an effective way of keeping cats out of your garden, but it is also an extremely dangerous substance for cats and dogs, which is poisonous when consumed.
RSPCA Headquarters, Adelaide, has received several emails regarding a Labrador puppy that thought the mulch was delicious. The next day, the young dog followed his owner on their daily morning walk. Minutes into the stroll the little pooch seizured and died instantly.
While we believe this happened in America we have heard that the mulch is available here in Australia, whether it’s entirely cocoa mulch, or whether the beans are just one of several ingredients, you must read the label carefully. You must look for any variation of ‘cocoa’ ‘bean’ and or ‘shell’ (mulch) or ‘theobromine’. Theobromine is the lethal ingredient and it harms both cats and dogs although dogs, especially puppies, tend to be a lot more interested in consuming it. Theobromine is also the deadly ingredient in chocolate however within the mulch the shells are used which contain a lot more of the dangerous chemical.
So if you’re a pet owner and a green thumb then be aware and choose a cocoa free mulch and make sure your neighbours, family and friends do the same to truly reduce the risk.
Beauty products also use the nourishing cocoa bean to soothe and smooth skin. ‘Theobroma Cacoa Extract’ is actually used in lotions including a moisturiser many of us have ‘Palmers Cocoa Butter’. While it makes our skin glow and our bodies smell like a chocolate cake be careful that your dog doesn’t tuck in!
Chocolate, fruit and nuts may sound like tasty delights to you, but these foods can be downright deadly to our four-legged friends. In 2008, the ASPCA (American equivalent of the RSPCA) handled 140,000 animal poison related emergencies.
It’s often pet owners who unwittingly poison their pets by giving them foods and drinks they can’t tolerate, or who leave food/items around that the dog can’t resist,.
Avoid these common toxins and avoid the complete and utter heartache of knowing you hurt or killed your ‘best friend’.
(Please note this a list of everyday items - clearly it doesn’t include the more ‘obvious’ toxic household items such as rodent poisons, poisonous plants, beauty products etc etc)
Dr.Fisher, an American animal expert is quoted in the list.
1.) Grapes and Raisins Healthy for you? Yes. Healthy for pets? No. In dogs and cats, grapes can cause kidney failure. "We’re not exactly sure why grapes pose a health hazard to pets," says Fisher, but experts suspect it has something to do with a chemical in the fruit’s skin. Raisins are even more dangerous because they contain a concentrated supply of toxins. Keep this snack out of the reach of your pets.
2.) Bread Dough "I see this one a lot when people make bread, leave it to rise, and come back to find their dog has helped himself to a serving," Fisher says. What’s the harm? The dog’s body heat will cause the dough to expand quickly resulting in severe abdominal pain and bloating. In some cases, death can occur if enough dough is eaten.
3.) Chewing Gum A dog might be attracted to the sweet-smelling gum that your kids are chewing or that’s tucked away in your bag. But the artificial sweetener, xylitol, in many types of gum and breath mints, can be deadly to pets. The sweetener can cause a low-blood sugar crisis in your pet. In fact, just one pack of gum can kill a dog, warns Fisher.
4.) Macadamia Nuts Careful where you keep that bowl of mixed nuts. If they’re on a low table that your dog can reach, your pup might get into trouble. Ingesting these nuts can cause tremors, weakness, unsteadiness, depression, a rapid heart rate, and a dangerous rise in body temperature that can lead to other complications. Though macadamia nut toxicity is very scary and dangerous, most dogs recover within a few days, says Fisher.
5.) Nicotine It may seem unlikely that a dog would eat cigarettes, but those nosy, little creatures will gobble them without a second thought. Nicotine is highly toxic so it doesn’t take much to cause a health crisis for your pet, including seizures, coma and death.
6.) Chocolate Who doesn’t find chocolate irresistible? But when it comes to dogs, chocolate is one deadly treat. Caffeine-like stimulants in chocolate known as methylxanthines can produce vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death, cautions Fisher.
7.) Alcohol "This type of poisoning happens a lot after people throw a party and their dog or cat gets into a glass alcohol sitting around or that’s spilled on the floor. Sometimes, children will think it’s funny to give a dog some beer," Fisher says. And while animals may experience some of the same wobbliness and weakness that humans do after drinking, they are much more sensitive to alcohol than humans and can quickly be in a life-threatening situation, she says. Alcohol ingestion can lead to seizures, heart arythmia, vomiting, coma and death.
8.) Pain Relievers According to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the number one insurance claim by far for poisonings in 2007 was owner-induced. In most cases, the problems were caused by pet owners giving their pets drugs intended for human use. "Sometimes when the vet’s office is closed and a pet is in pain, people will administer over-the-counter pain relievers like iburprofen or acetaminophen to their dogs," Fisher says. Never give your pets these types of drugs, warns Fisher. One tablet of acetaminophen can kill a cat, she says.
9.) Tea Ever had your cat poke its head into your cup of tea? It’s not just annoying, it can be downright dangerous depending on the type of tea you’re drinking. Caffeine in your tea is toxic to both cats and dogs. Depending on how much is consumed and the size of your pet, ingesting it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, coma and even death.
10.) Onions You’d probably never consider giving your dog a piece of an onion, but if you toss her a piece of steak or a bit of stir fry cooked with onions, you’re putting your dog in danger. Onions are toxic to dogs and cats whether they’re raw or cooked. When ingested, onions can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition that destroys the red blood cells in the bloodstream. A dog with onion poisoning may become lethargic and have difficulty breathing. Generally, a large amount of onions would need to be consumed to pose a serious threat to your dog, but cats are highly sensitive to onion toxicity.
It’s on again - The Australian Central Community Lottery. SA’s RSPCA has 5000 tickets to sell and will raise a staggering $10,000 which will go a long way to helping thousands of needy animals.
The lottery has already started and will finish on 30th June. There are 130 different prizes with a total value of over $260,000, which is nearly $100,000 more than last year’s prize pool!!
First prize is a gorgeous Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X Auto (exact model shown above) valued at $33,000. Second is a $28,000 Jurgens Caravan, with the third prize winner bagging a very handy $25,000 Harvey Norman shopping spree! From there the list continues with stacks of prizes sure to make the neighbours jealous; jetskis, boats, luxury holidays. It’s well worth the measly $2!
Tickets are available at:
RSPCA Headquarters, 172 Morphett St, Adelaide (near the cnr of Waymouth)
RSPCA Lonsdale Shelter, 25 Meyer Road Lonsdale.
OR any of our THRIFT SHOPS** which are located at Warradale, Semaphore, Brighton, Blackwood as well as our NEW SHOP IN PROSPECT (Prospect Road).
You also have the option of buying them over the phone, however the minimum purchase is $10. Simply call 82126871 and one of our friendly staff members will help you ‘be in it to win it’!!
As always, thanks to our generous supporters and best of luck!!
**Tickets will only be in THRIFT SHOPS on Wednesday February 18th.
Ralph the wonder dog with his steady, plastic bowl of water. Good sitting Ralphy!
Animals and heat don’t mix at the best of times, however when we’re talking about 45 plus degree weather, pet owners need to be ultra vigilant. would. In 45 degree heat we’re not talking about simply keeping our animals cool, we’re dealing with a very, very dangerous, deadly situation and it should not be taken lightly.
TIPS ON KEEPING ANIMALS COOL…
*Make sure your animals, especially dogs, have at least two stable water sources.
In this heat we’re dealing with a number of factors that put your animals water levels at risk. Evaporation will mean that your pet loses a good deal of water without actually drinking it. The other issue is that often dogs will either get IN their water or will kick up the water to cool down their chest and stomach. By the time you take these two factors into consideration, you’re water levels are dangerously low. On top of this if your pooch is excitable it can tip water over.
Of course you know your pet’s habits, so you need to adapt accordingly. If your dog kicks up, lies in or tips over it’s water you can use rocks, bricks - whatever in the bottom of the water to keep it stable.
I also recommend keeping water in the shade (of course!) and try using a plastic bowl; stainless steel type bowls will heat up more quickly and hasten evaporation.
*Icy treats and Ice beds
A concoction of meat, rice, vegetables; whatever you can freeze including normal tinned food, bones or kangaroo/beef etc. mince is a fantastic way of keeping your animal cool. As you probably know when you eat a big bowl of ice cream you get cold; same applies to cats and dogs. it really does help regulate their body temperature.
Ice in their drink bowl is also a great idea.
You can also get ice beds and jackets from pet shops (there are excellent ones online) or simply put some ice in a towel and pop it in their kennel/bed.
*Shade
While it might sound obvious, you would be surprised how many calls we receive relating to an animal in full 40 plus degree heat. We get lots of calls about birds especially, so please ensure (especially caged or tethered animals) are in the shade ALL day! Inside is ideal in this weather, especially for birds.
*Extra backyard precautions
We had an unfortunate incident where a very much loved dog managed to get himself into the fenced off swimming pool area. The door then shut behind him and he was unable to get out. We should all learn from this! Make sure sheds, pool enclosures or any such sealed off area is securely shut off to avoid a tragic find when you get home from work.
*Don’t risk taking your animal in a car
Your car could break down, you could get caught up in the shops and the ‘one minute’ milk run turns into ten, etc etc,. The simple message is don’t take your dog out in the car in these exceptional conditions. In 45 degrees they WILL die in minutes, it’s as simple and as scary as that!
*Check ups
It’s an excellent idea to have your neighbour/friend check on your animal in this heat if you’re at work all day. As mentioned above they may have got themselves caught, or they may be really struggling.
*Inside/Out
A heat wave such as this really does bring home the importance of a doggy door/cat door. You will be able to relax much more if you know that you dog/cat can get into the cool laundry or wherever you choose to put the door. They are relatively cheap, and better yet you don’t have to get up every time they need to go to the toilet!
One other tip: If you have a koala in your backyard or have EVER seen one, please put water out for them. The front page of the paper today (Advertiser, Thursday 29 jan) says it all. They need water and it’s the reason they’re in your backyard. ALSO if you have a dog and there’s a koala in your yard, take him or her inside. Koalas have huge claws, and dogs get territorial so it will most probably end badly for both animals.
Thanks!
If anyone has anymore questions please let me know
The RSPCA has been inundated with unwanted kittens and is asking the public to help them have some fun and keep cosy. Both the Lonsdale and city shelters are in dire need of toys, blankets and money so we can help the thousands of kittens we receive over summer have a happy and healthy stay at the RSPCA. The Society is looking for new and/or second hand toys and blankets. We’re also asking Adelaide animal lovers to reach into their hip pockets, by making either a one off donation, or becoming a ‘Feline Friend’ which involves sponsoring a cat cage.
The RSPCA has to find hundreds of thousands of dollars for vaccinations, desexing, microchipping and a myriad of other medical treatments.
Any donation, large or small, would help to keep our homeless ‘kitties’ free of disease and, importantly, prevent them from having more unwanted offspring.
Every year the RSPCA receives around 6,000 cats and kittens. Disease as well as a lack of homes means over half of them are euthanased. The RSPCA is once again pleading with cat owners to desex these cats and stop these kittens being ‘born to die.’
Toys, blankets and donations can be brought into 172 Morphett St., City, (RSPCA Headquarters), the Lonsdale Shelter, 25 Meyer Road, Lonsdale or any of our thrift shops, located at Warradale, Brighton, Blackwood or Semaphore.
This tri coloured spaniel cross was found on Main North Road, near an area that could be classed as either Pooraka or Montacute Farm. The male dog, was severely traumatized and had one of the largest tumors SA’s RSPCA has ever dealt with.
The tumor had developed on the right side of the dog’s head and was as large as a grapefruit. It had invaded and completely overwhelmed the eye area to the point of blindness.
The jaw area had also been penetrated, with the tumor stretching right through to the bottom of the chin. That area had a large open wound, which was severely infected and weeping profusely. As a result, the dog was hardly able to open it’s mouth to eat, and was therefore underweight.
The tumor would have resulted in chronic pain for the animal as well as extreme pressure on the brain and eye area.
Given the size of the growth, the dog could have suffering for many, many months, if not over a year.
RSPCA Spokesperson Aimee McKay ;
‘This tumor was massive, certainly one of the largest we’ve seen. The excruciating pain this dog would have experienced is unthinkable. Chances are if treated early, this growth could have been easily removed and the dog saved from months of agony. Instead the dog was so ill it had to be put down.’
‘Given the size of the tumor, the dog would have been very distinctive, so we hope someone can help us find the person who let this dog suffer.’
WHY NOT GIVE TWICE THIS XMAS & BUY YOUR PRESSIES FROM THE RSPCA?
We work hard for our money and over Christmas our account seems to spiral into debit too quickly. Do you wish that money was making a difference in the lives of thousands of animals, instead of helping buy a CEO another beach house?
There are a myriad of Christmas gift ideas at the RSPCA, with the proceeds going back into saving animals who are homeless and/or victims of cruelty.
A RSPCA Christmas Donation Card is a truly unique and generous gift. You simply make a donation on behalf of the the gift recipient and then chose from one of 13 beautiful photographic gift cards. Your name, their name and the donation amount goes on the back of the card. It’s a lovely keepsake.
You can either chose to have it send to your home and personalise it yourself, or send it straight to the recipient. (we can write a message on the back if you wish).
*Donation amount is your choice
For a niece, nephew, grandchild etc, who seems to have every gadget imaginable, a Paw Prints membership is a unique and fun idea. On joining they will receive an RSPCA Paw Prints Cap, stickers, certificate…everything you see below.
Paw Print Membership is just $20
They will also receive Paw Prints magazines several times a year as well as a birthday card on their birthday.
Adult Membership is $30
Of course you can also buy a RSPCA Adult Membership for a family member or friend. This means they are regularly kept up to date with events, issues, fund raisers and appeals. They will also be given the right to vote for our Council and attend our AGM. Again, this is an excellent present for an animal lover who’s keen to make a difference.
Pawphans colouring book, $4.95
Another great idea for kids is our Pawphans range. Apart from being completely adorable, the new ‘owner’ gets to ‘properly’ adopt their Pawphan by naming it, etc.!
For kiddies off to day care, kindy or school why not buy a Pawphan lunch box or backpack…they not only extremely cute, they’re useful too - their Mum and Dad will thank you!
The RSPCA also has a brilliant range of gifts for both adults and your precious pet, as well as Christmas cards and Christmas/animal themed merchandise such as Chrissy stockings, dog toys, mugs and lolly bags and more!
stockings dog toy
This year, we again have the Pyjama King Peter Alexander on board and his specially deisgned RSPCA ‘jammies’ are very cool.
PJ’s make a fantastic gift… everyone loves AND uses them and the ‘dalmation’ design is one you can’t go wrong with. They come in adults and kids sizes and designs and both have female and male options. The kids also have a summer set.
If you’re looking for stocking fillers, we have those too! From mugs to money boxes, books to bath gel, we have lots of excellent affordable present ideas.
For information on ALL the gift ideas you have seen, plus many, many more simply press on the green writing below.
If online shopping isn’t for you, you can sign someone up for membership - Adult or Paw Prints, purchase a Donation Card or purchase lots of other gifts at our
RSPCA SHOP - 172 Morphett St, Adelaide or charge it over the phone 8212 6871 with your credit card and we’ll send it out to you.
These presents will not only be unique and thoughtful, they’re also helping the RSPCA help the animals..Give twice this Xmas and feel doubly good!
