Hunter animal watch inc.
President: Pam Hopkins, Tel: 02 49664344
Secretary: Olga Parkes Tel: 02 49521358
Treasurer: Pat Hinton Tel: 02 49641823
June 2009
Annual newsletter
No. 12
Hunter Animal Watch is a member society of Animals Australia.
The aims of Hunter Animal Watch are:
¨ To operate a subsidised pet desex programme to assist pensioners and the unemployed.
¨ To promote animal welfare
Hunter Animal Watch was established in 1998. Since then we have given financial help to spay/neuter over seventeen thousand animals belonging to pensioners and unemployed people in the Lower Hunter. one thousand seven hundred and eighty five of these occurred in the last 12 months.
Despite the efforts of groups such as ours, the large number of cats and dogs killed in the shelters and pounds of New South Wales continues to be of great concern. It is totally unacceptable that over 60,000 healthy but unwanted animals are destroyed every year in NSW, and during the past year we have continued to work closely with other groups, in lobbying local and State government to pass the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill, proposed by Clover Moore MP, which would prevent the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops and markets. The undeniable appeal of baby animals in these outlets can lead to impulse buying, which is not a sound way to acquire a pet. Why would you buy from these outlets when there are beautiful animals waiting for homes in pounds and shelters? We all know what happens to them if no home can be found. And for a particular breed, it is best to ensure a well-bred animal by buying a pet from a registered breeder.
There have been calls for an independent inquiry into the pet industry, and we would very much like to see this come to fruition. Disappointingly, the idea of an inquiry is not supported by State Government, which is content to rely on Codes of Practice aimed at improving various aspects of the animal trade. However, Codes of Practice are not very strong instruments and are not reliably monitored. We see a need for changes in the law, and Clover Moore’s Bill would be a good starting point. There is also an obvious need for ongoing community education on responsible pet ownership to ensure the needs of companion animals are met.
60,000 animals should not be killed every year in our State. To reverse this requires everyone to work together, and we can say with confidence that frontline animal groups would be only too delighted to join Government in a concerted effort to reduce the kill rate.
We have a great group of volunteers who are rostered in the shop. Our shop is now well-known and it is an interesting place to work. We know so many of our customers, people come in to discuss animal issues and we know where to refer them to, dogs come for coats, blankets, collars, toys. They also come for treats, and we never disappoint them. Sometimes they just barge in behind the counter – “I just can’t wait for one of those liver treats!” they say, clear as a bell. (Many of you will know that they both speak and understand English). We jump to it. We have excellent stock, much of which is donated, and it’s a great place to pick up gifts. Further, we stock genuine free-range eggs. Our shop also engraves pet ID disks, at a cost of $2 each.
Our shop became a focus for people wanting to help the animals caught up in the Victorian bushfires. So many people came in wanting to donate that we enlisted the help of local radio stations and managed to collect $3,000 for Animal Aid at Coldstream, Victoria, where it was put to good use.
Saleable items are always welcome at our shop. And we also need volunteers to work in the shop. If you have a bit of time, perhaps a day a month, and would like to discuss further, call any of the numbers at the top of this Newsletter.
Campaigns we support
Campaigning and lobbying are important features of our work, and among the issues we work for are:
· To ban live exports of sheep and cattle to the Middle East.
· A ban on single stalls for breeding sows.
· A ban on the use of exotic/wild animals in circuses
· Abolition of battery farms – there are humane ways to keep layer hens
· A ban on rodeo/bull-riding events.
· World Society for the Protection of Animals for their work worldwide.
· Animals Asia for their tireless work to rescue bears kept in Asian bear farms
Special Service for animals to be held in christ church cathedral
In July 2009 there is to be an international conference – Minding Animals – being held in Newcastle. The Conference will commence with an interfaith service to be held on 12th July, 2009, at 2.30pm. in Christ Church Cathedral. This is set to be a very interesting occasion, and all are welcome to attend. No animals at this service please (so no worries about what your animal may do next!)
Thanksgiving for Creation service – a date for your diary
Our traditional service (with animals) will take place on 11th October. Details later.
www.hunteranimalwatch.networksmm.com.au
Our email address is ocp@idl.com.au
If you would like to help us with a donation, please send to
The Treasurer,
Hunter Animal Watch Shop,
139A Beaumont Street,
Hamilton, 2303.
Receipts will be supplied so please note your address.
Thank You
Once again, it is our great pleasure to acknowledge the contribution of everyone who helps Hunter Animal Watch – our volunteers, those who give us sale items for the shop, those who make handicraft for us to sell, and, of course, our customers. And to the vets and their staff, a very special thank you for your willingness to be part of our effort.
With very best wishes,
Hunter Animal Watch Inc.
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your pet;
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
Unknown author
