To

The Hon. Jaala Pulford, Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of Government.

The Legislative Assembly of Victoria

In regard

Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016

We the undersigned wish to petition The Members of Parliament Victorian in regards to one of the proposed Amendments to the current Domestic Animals Act, that being the proposal to remove the current exemption granted to members of Applicable Organisations (AO) to register as a breeding Domestic Animal Business (DAB) which would then require that members of Applicable Organisations have to register as a Domestic Animal Business if they have one or more fertile female dogs or three or more fertile female cats.

This petition relates specifically to the impact this would have on small scale breeders of cats within Victoria who are registered breeders of Pure Bred cats and members of the following Applicable Organisations:

Ancats (Australian National Cats Inc)

CVI (Cats Victoria Inc.)

FCCV (Feline Control Council of Victoria)

GCCFV (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Victoria)

each of whom operate under a code of ethics to promote appropriate animal welfare and husbandry.

The stated purpose of the proposed Amendments Bill is to improve the welfare of domestic breeding animals in Victoria, close down puppy farms and kitten mills, stop the sale of commercially produced pets through Pet Shops and Animal Brokers, and further regulate breeding of cats and dogs within Victoria; presumably towards reducing the numbers of stray and unwanted animals in our overflowing Pounds, Shelters and Rescues.

Victoria’s registered cat breeders who are affected by this proposal are not among the Kitten Mills, they do not sell any kittens through Pet Shops or Brokers, they largely desex pet kittens before sale, they select proposed owners and promote responsible pet ownership by encouraging indoor only homes, and they will often assist in future re-homing. It is also not the Pure Bred kittens produced by the registered breeders who are filling the Pounds, Shelters and Rescues. Therefore the proposal to remove the exemption clause for members of AO’s will not actually facilitate the purposes of this Bill.

In the main the small breeders covered under the current exemption are hobby breeders who breed for the love of the cat, and with a passion for their respective breed of cat. They outlay a considerable amount of time, effort, and expense for the purpose of conducting this hobby in a dedicated, and caring manner and with very little likelihood of breaking even on their financial outlay in conducting this hobby. Their animals are generally reared within a home environment, with a high standard of ethical care and compassion.

Limiting a registered breeder to just two female cats could have potential serious consequence for the gene pool of many of Victoria’s Pure Bred cat breeds, and forcing a breeder to turn a hobby activity into a registered DAB will also hold difficult implications, particularly when many people may struggle to be granted a DAB due to Zoning and Planning restrictions in their area.

Victorian cat breeders are held in high regard with the result that their kittens are sought throughout Australia and also overseas therefore this issue generates interest on a National and International level.

We respectfully request that you do not accept the proposed Amendment clause that will change the status of Victoria’s registered cat breeders by removing the current exemption for members of Applicable Organisations having to become a Domestic Animal Business.