The RSPCA is very concerned about the increasing appearance of “rodent glue traps” in shops in South Australia. They have been frequently sold in “2 dollar shops” as an import from China. The large supermarkets long ago withdrew them from sale, at the request of the RSPCA.
Rodent glue traps are small plastic trays containing a thin layer of silicone adhesive which are designed to catch and hold mice. Once caught, and unless found and humanely killed, the mice die slowly from dehydration, starvation or shock. People who have unwittingly bought and used these traps have been horrified to find live mice stuck in the glue, and have been unsure how to kill them humanely. Mice should definitely NOT be drowned.
The RSPCA has urged the State Government to legislate against the use of rodent glue traps and we hope they will be prohibited under the current revision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
We realise that mice and rats often need to be eradicated if they become a pest. We recommend the use of effective snap traps which kill rodents instantly and which pose no threat to other animals and birds if placed carefully and checked frequently.
If you see glue traps for sale, please let us know and we will provide the store with every reason why they should be removed from the shelves.
April 30th, 2007
“Our family chose a cat from the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter in April 2006 - a pure white, purring, pink eared….pink nosed….pink lipped…fluffy 6 month old male cat called ‘Mojo’. (We had sadly lost our pet cat 4months earlier). Like many white cats, Mojo was “as deaf as a door nail”, so he became our “special needs cat” He is strictly an indoors cat due to his vulnerability, and has the most gorgeous, loving character you could imagine. He loves playing with young children and even more so with our 7 month old Sharpei pup “Daisy”….actually, he thinks she’s HIS puppy and vice versa! Because of his disability Mojo is very loud and vocal at meal times (because he can’t hear himself!) so we finally chose a more ahh… fitting name for him….’Chairman MEOW’ and rule he does!”
Rhonda and Paul
April 23rd, 2007
On 10 April 2007 in the Clare Magistrates Court, an RSPCA prosecution of a rodeo Stock Contractor finally came to an end when the defendant pleaded guilty to the breach of a provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that occurred at the 2004 Marrabel Rodeo. Specifically, the Stock Contractor did not ensure that cattle and horses were penned separately as required by the South Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Treatment of Rodeo Livestock. (The Code had this requirement so that these animals cannot cause distress or injury toward each other.) The man was convicted by the Magistrate and fined $250.
The RSPCA continues to oppose rodeos because we believe they pose an unacceptable risk of injury to the animals made to particpate. The RSPCA cannot endorse the use of animals for sport or entertainment where they may become distressed or injured.
Technorati : cowboy, rodeo
April 18th, 2007
But not all the pups have been so lucky, the others are still looking for homes.
RSPCA staff had one special Easter wish - that at least one of the pups saved from terrible conditions at a property near Eudunda - would find a home. Clearly all the wishing (and of course, hard work) paid off - the aptly named pup Lucky now settling into his new abode.
Lucky was one of over 100 dogs taken from a Sutherland property, north of Adelaide, on February 28. The two residents had over 160 dogs in a very confined, fenced off space. It was very dry with little shelter. The RSPCA vet said it was clear that many of the dogs, especially the pups had not received vet care. Our vet also said many were malnourished and dehydrated as well as being ravaged with several diseases and skin conditions. Most of the dogs were also quite vicious given that they had had very little human contact - they were scared of people. Much to the despair and disappointment of Society staff, many of the dogs had such severe ailments and extreme aggression that they had to be put down.
But there were a few little battlers who survived the ordeal, of which a male Chihuahua-cross called Lucky was one. It’s been quite amazing watching him transform from a timid, tiny, weak puppy with pussy eyes and skin sores to a healthy, strong, gorgeous pup with a shiny coat and an outgoing personality.
Retired couple Trevor and Dianne Smith had followed the pup’s tragic story through the media and knew they wanted to help out. The Smiths made the trip to the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter hoping that one of the pups would warm to them - and Lucky did just that. It immediately became clear it was a perfect match.
No doubt Lucky will take a while to get used to the new environment. Trevor and Dianne’s backyard is about the same size as the fenced off area that he was in with 160 other dogs. Once the little chihuahua cross gets used to his new surroundings and, of course, benefits from all of the new found affection, no doubt, he’ll thrive. Despite his less than perfect start to life, he hasn’t sustained any permanent damage and should grow into a healthy, happy dog.
Unfortunately, Lucky has been the only pup from the property near Eudunda that has found a new home so far. After the huge initial response, when we fielded thousands of calls, offering homes and assistance, we now have no one coming forward. It’s certainly disappointing, and we can only hope that the pups are placed in good new homes, sooner rather than later.
Anyone interested in adopting, should go to our website www.adoptapet.com.au Here you can see the pups’ pictures and read about their nature etc.
If you can’t adopt a pup but want to help us care for them by making a donation - call the Donation Hotline on 1800 652 866 or go to our website www.rspcasa.asn.au and click on the ‘Make a Donation’ Box near the top right hand corner.
We thank the public for all their support throughout this difficult period. All we can do is keep wishing that all the pups will be as fortunate as Lucky.
April 17th, 2007
