3 minute read
AWCLO Report
AWCLO
Dog Breeding
WORDS Deirdre Crofts Animal Welfare & Community Liaison Officer
Was 2019 just a practice run for what 2020 would bring us? Many who were affected by drought, then fires, then flood would not argue.
With the pandemic coming upon us with barely time to think of all the consequences, it was really quite amazing the changes we have made in every aspect of our lives, but that is how we are, Australians are resilient!
In very quick time, it was essential that many adjustments were required concerning dog breeding programs, raising of puppies, socialisation of puppies, rehoming of puppies. At the start of lockdown, veterinary services were not considered an essential business, that was so difficult to fathom but thankfully, the government saw reason and that was addressed. Social distancing was required and that made a visit to the Vet ‘different’ to say the least with limited contact mandated and many services put ‘on hold’ as they were deemed non-essential or non-emergency.
Very early on I had members contact me wanting to know how were they going to rehome their puppies, could they rehome them early i.e. before 8 weeks old? Could they have puppy purchasers come to their home to pick their puppies up? Of course, the answers were NO and NO.
Some members put their breeding programs on hold, but some proceeded as usual, as is their choice. Adjustment to how we were to deal with the rehoming process has resulted in changes I know some members have told me they will incorporate into the handling of future litters. Instead of having prospective purchasers visit to view available puppies, this had to be done with photos and videos and I guess some probably conducted Zoom meetings, as has become the trend in many businesses.
It was fortunate that the rehoming of animals was seen to be a welfare concern and the Government deemed that essential, but the way it was to be handled was very different for the majority. Transport businesses could deliver puppies/dogs, road transport became the only way to go. How fortunate was it that many in our hobby are also in the animal transport field and they re-fashioned their business to meet that need? I know some people will continue to do their puppy re-homing in the same way, even when social distancing requirements have been dramatically eased.
The handling of the puppy sales paperwork also has changed forever. I have had members comment that they thought they had everything covered with previous litters, but they found that so many prospective purchasers needed the gap filled from the personal meet and greet done in the past and the new online process that had to be implemented. More photos, copies of all parents health certificates, copies of all vet treatment for the dog/puppy being rehomed, Health Certificate from Vet, in essence copies of absolutely everything that related to the dog/puppy. Yes, most breeders already were doing this, but some would just show copies of documents at a puppy inspection. Those that had not used sales contracts in the past are now doing so and incorporating details in that document that previously was delivered verbally. As some members have house members in the high-risk category of infection, when lockdown eased, they would arrange a meeting in a public place, observing social distancing, to do the handover of the sanitised puppy where payment was done online i.e. no handling of cash.
DOGS NSW new regulation for the transfer of ownership of puppies, directly to the new owners at time of registration of the litter, has shown clear advantages, to ensure that a smooth transfer is now the responsibility of the breeder. This process was conducted seamlessly as full disclosure of everything about the dog/puppy had occurred well before the date of rehoming.
No doubt, I will hear of other changes members have made in the need to evolve through this pandemic. I will share these with the membership.
Inconvenience to our usual practices is just a small thing to deal with. I am thankful of being in the lucky country, Australia. Stay safe and well!
