"It just doesn't make any sense!" I keep hearing that again and again & agree.  Why would Kingston Council ruin and sabotage a small business that delivers classes a few hours a week - classes that educate new puppy owners & prevent community dog issues?  Every day I get calls from new & old clients who are very upset, just like me.  Well, here's all I can tell you.

Kingston will not allow me the keep hiring the Carrum Community Hall.  The only reason I have been given is there is potential for cleaning & allergy issues, despite Council never receiving a single complaint in nearly 25 years.  Council offered me an extension, with two choices -

1 - Hall hire inside and outside for 3 months to end March.   OR
2 - Hall hire of outside ground only for 12 months.

Neither option is desirable long term.  As I have clients with small children & baby puppies, I have been forced to take the 3 month option to provide comfort and safety for my clients.  So, as it stands, puppy classes in Carrum end at the end of March.

I have contacted all newly elected Councillors twice now & invited them to come along and watch the classes, see the venue and learn a little about what I provide.  As yet I have not had any interest, which is a shame because my clients come from all suburbs within the municipality of City of Kingston and I know some of you voted for new councillors who showed an interest in dog safety and responsible pet ownership.

Many people are not aware of this closure yet, so please keep sharing the petition.  I am receiving calls & emails daily from new & old clients who are expecting to come along to puppy classes and it's incredibly sad to not be able to assist them.

I am particularly upset that the closure means the end of early training for those of you wanting to kick start training for therapy, medical support and assistance dogs.  Without facilities to conduct group classes, you are faced with expensive private lessons and all I can suggest is you contact your Local MP and Councillor to share your story.

Another venue? - Council staff have suggested I "reach out to my social media network for ideas, or consider running my business from home".  Other than that, no alternative venue has been offered.  It is very difficult to find a suitable safe venue with indoor and outdoor access, appropriate for baby puppies and families.  Without venues, good trainers can't deliver training!

Has my Local Councillor been supportive?  Chis Howe, the newly elected Local Councillor for Banksia Ward is of the view that Council has acted appropriately and that there "are other dog trainers" people can go to.  While explaining that residents deserve to have a choice between amateur & professional in the unregulated industry of dog training, he advised that "another dog trainer with the same qualifications as you" had complained & wanted hall access too.  Anyone should be able to hire the facility!  Very mysterious stuff indeed.

It's also a Girl Guide Hall - The Girl Guides are as shocked as me with what has happened and have no issue at all with me hiring the facility.  

So, if you would like to see Paw Behaviour continue to provide classes in Carrum at the Carrum Community Guide hall, you need to contact your Local Councillor and Local MP and share your concerns.  This is now urgent.  Please keep sharing and signing the petition.  Don't hesitate to call me 0414 637 568 if you have any questions at all.