Today I was going to share a story with you about neglect of one dog, but when I woke up and read my Facebook feed there was yet another story which needs humans to take action on behalf of animals. So now {sadly} I’m sharing two stories with you.

While I realise that I’m preaching to the converted, considering a lot of you are much more active supporters of the voiceless than I am, I still feel the need to share these stories. And urge you to share them too, and take action. Legislation will be passed, and no change will be made anywhere in the world if people don’t speak up when they disagree with the stance of governments and politicians.

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As I read yet another horrific story of animal abuse and neglect yesterday, I couldn’t help but wonder, again, how it is that people do not understand this simple concept: animals are a LIFELONG commitment, for as many precious years as you get with them. If you can not afford to/think you might not want to care for them for that long, don’t get one. Period. If something happens beyond your control and you find yourself in a position where you can no longer care for them {and by this I am referring to a real emergency like you yourself are terminally ill}, surrender them to a shelter or do everything in your power to have them fostered or rehomed. Don’t just leave them in a shed without food or water tied up to die, like River’s human did {shelter staff have renamed her River because of the river of tears cried over her story}. Thankfully she was found and is now in care on a very long road to recovery. Anyone wanting to help with costs for her care can do so here.

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Below is the second story – and the one that requires action. I have copied the text verbatim from RSPCA South Australia’s Facebook page {I did request their permission, but imagine they are inundated this morning and I’m sure they won’t mind me sharing}. It seems unfathomable to me that in 2013, in Australia {the so-called lucky country} that this legislation could possibly be being considered.

Dogs and cats urgently need your help. The Victorian Govt wants to make it legal for Victorian breeders to have the option to kill their unwanted dogs and cats with a blunt instrument like a hammer. They also want wire-caged floors like those shown in these photos to be legal. We urge you to take action before close of business Tuesday 13 August to give these helpless animals a voice.

Listen to Victorian Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh admit to ABC Radio that hitting a …dog with a hammer would be considered “humane” under the Government’s proposed Code of Practice for Breeding Businesses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxuPjcBpDNk

This Code would be a huge backward step for companion animal welfare in Victoria and will set an appalling precedent for other States to potentially follow in the future.

If you are as outraged as we are, then you must take action today – or this Code will become reality. This is the last opportunity for input before the Code becomes law.

There is currently a public consultation process underway enabling members of the public to provide the Victorian Government with feedback on their proposed Code. As with most political matters, it is generally the opinion of voters in a Government’s home State that matter most to them – they will need Victorian voters to let them know that the Victorian community overwhelmingly rejects these proposals, for these recommendations to be over-turned.

RSPCA South Australia will be making a formal submission to the Victorian Government on this Code, and we would urge everyone who cares about dogs and cats to not only make your voice heard but to also stand up for the voiceless. Also, importantly, share this post with any friends, family or colleagues who live in Victoria and ask them to tell the Victorian Government that these cruel proposals are not supported by the Victorian community as a whole.

To learn more about the Code visit RSPCA Victoria’s website at http://rspcavic.org/issues-take-action/puppy-factories/

To take action and let the Victorian Government know what you think you can submit your feedback via:
email: animal.welfare@depi.vic.gov.au or
mail:
Bureau of Animal Welfare
475 Mickleham Rd
Attwood VIC 3049

Submissions must be received by the Victorian Bureau of Animal Welfare by close of business Tuesday 13 August 2013 so we don’t have much time to act!

Please take action today:
1. share this post with your friends, particularly bring it to the attention of anyone you know who lives in Victoria; and
2. send in your own feedback.

For a full copy of the Code please visit the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries website page at http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/domestic-animal-businesses/breeding-and-rearing-businesses/breeding-and-rearing-code-review

We only have until close of business Tuesday 13 August Australian Eastern Standard time to try to stop this, so please: TAKE ACTION TODAY, be a voice for the voiceless!