Puppies need people to advocate for them!  It's not enough to love dogs - people need to understand them, manage them and train them to ensure we all live safely & happily together. This Petition has nearly 2,500 supporters  why isn’t someone in Government listening to what the community wants?

We love seeing dogs working to calm kids at school, visit people in hospital, cheer up the elderly in aged care, help the sick, disabled and abused, but these dogs have to be trained somewhere!   Ideally, training starts at 8 weeks of age with a well qualified trainer.

Kingston Council has ended our hall hire of 25 years without providing any valid reason.  They will not allow us to even use the outside ground.  Why?  Questions need to be asked.  25 years ago I approached Kingston Council and worked with them for nearly 12 months providing, facts, figures, data and information to support the operation of family pet education classes at the community hall.  I even ran for local council!

Permission was granted, with the recognition that the classes definitely contributed to the reduction of problem dogs in the community & complimented the Council's Domestic Animal Management Plan.  I was also afforded a "community rate" for hall hire to reflect that contribution. I was not given special "benefits" as our new local councillor has indicated.  He has in fact told me & others that the "other local dog trainer with the same qualifications as you" complained & wants the same benefits.  So now we are back to ground zero with no community access for pet education.

Thousands of people have attended classes and many hours of "free" mentorship has been provided to animal students, amongst other services.  The idea that only "not for profit" dog clubs can use council facilities is just not realistic.  The community should have a choice of the volunteer run clubs, or a professional service.  I'm pretty sure all the government funded not for profit clubs also employ professionals who charge for their services!  I know the local tennis club has a pro that charges for lessons.  

While "dog obedience" is a fabulous sport, it is not what most pet dog owners want.  People just want to learn how to live with their new puppy.  They are not interested in "obedience competition" and let's face it, "obedience" will not resolve behavioural problems - early learning will prevent them!  Puppies need early learning with a professional trainer. Early training prevents behavioural problems & keeps dogs out of rescue!

The classes that took me 25 years of hard work to develop are now gone and the community has lost a much loved & valued service. I have lost everything I have worked for and loved. It's been absolutely devastating.  I have not found another suitable venue & most organisations are not open to permitting classes with puppies, citing Council Regulations!  We are seeing more and more fatal & near fatal dog attacks.  We need more education on dogs, not less!

• Please advocate harder for your family dogs!
• Push for space to be made available for responsible, professional trainers to use open space and public halls for Family Pet Education.
• Lobby your Council for the pet education you pay for in your registration fees!
• Work with Council to help them establish community support services for pet owners.
• Write to ALL Councillors at Kingston Councillors & give them your thoughts.
• Share this petition - share this message.
• Please look out for a suitable venue for me & let me know if you find something! 

Be assured, I will continue to advocate for space for Family Pet Education and in the meantime, will deliver whatever classes I can, wherever I can to help all of you who need help & who recognise the benefits of early learning for new pups delivered by well qualified professional animal trainers.

Thank you all so much for your kindness & support.

Jen x