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Important messages to all DOGS NSW Members
Although the number of new COVID-19 cases in New South Wales continues to stabilise and even decline, it is important for everyone to continue to practise social distancing, self-isolation and maintain good hygiene practices until the NSW Government advises that the social distancing policy has been lifted.
In accordance with the previous decision of the DOGS NSW Board of Directors, the cancellation of all DOGS NSW approved events as a result of COVID-19 has been reviewed.
Following that review, the Board of Directors has determined that all DOGS NSW approved events be cancelled until Tuesday 30 June 2020, inclusive, except in the case where the NSW Government rescinds the social distancing policy to the extent that events may resume prior to that date. In this eventuation, DOGS NSW will endeavour to assist all Affiliates to assume normal activities as soon as possible. In some instances, this may involve giving Affiliates exemption, to some regulations, in order to expedite normal activities.
Subsequently, and as DOGS NSW will not be producing a May Gazette, as the production of the Gazette has been suspended until further notice; for those Affiliates who have paid for an Advertisement for the May Gazette, the Office will contact you to arrange a credit for both the Advertisement fee and the Draft Schedule fee.
For Affiliates who have paid for their Advertisement and Draft Schedules and their Advertisement has been published in a previous Gazette but their event has been cancelled, the Office will contact you shortly to discuss a 50% discount on your next Advertisement.
Affiliates are still required to continue to submit Draft Schedules for their future events, however, the Office will not take payment or process those Draft Schedules until the social distancing policy is rescinded. Affiliates who opt to cancel events outside of this period MUST advise DOGS NSW in the first instance.
• CANCELLATION OF ALL DOGS NSW EVENTS AND CLOSURE OF GROUNDS UNTIL TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2020 INCLUSIVE.
• MAY GAZETTE CANCELLED - CREDITS APPLY FOR NEXT LODGED DRAFT SCHEDULE.
• GAZETTE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
• AFFILIATES TO CONTINUE TO SUBMIT DRAFT SCHEDULES FOR EVENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OUTSIDE OF 30 JUNE 2020.
• DOGS NSW MUST BE ADVISED OF AFFILIATES VOLUNTARY EVENT CANCELLATION
Refund of Fees for Show Cancellations due to COVID-19
Upon provision of proof of the entry fees being refunded to exhibitors for cancelled show/s, DOGS NSW will issue a credit for half the costs of the Draft Schedule fees.
Regrettably, this amount of credit is due to the cost of the printing and postage of the advertising in the Journal, and also wages paid to staff for the work involved in processing the Draft Schedules, having already been incurred and paid by DOGS NSW.
Other Points to Note
No refunds of Show entry fees for cancelled shows will be given in accordance with previous advice received from NSW Office of Fair Trading.
There have been reports of people being disrespectful to Show Managers, in regards to no refunds for cancelled shows due to COVID-19. This is not acceptable.
Camping bookings have been refunded, however, other bookings for grounds or rooms paid by cheque or bank deposits, can be used as credit towards a future booking.
New Office Hours due to COVID-19
Office hours are 9:30am to 4.00pm. The Office remains closed to members and the public. This includes the collection of completed applications from the office. Members may deposit paperwork in the after-hours box at the front door. Due to the restrictions in place relating to the control of Covid-19 and to best protect the welfare of our staff, the Board has taken the action to reduce the staff on the DOGS NSW grounds. The office staff will now be primarily working from home. Please be patient during this time as productivity is reduced with limited resources.
With limited staff to answer the phone, if you have any queries, the best method of contact with the office is by email so that it can then be directed to the relevant staff member to respond. Please email info@dogsnsw.org.au
APPLICATION PROCESSING
It is expected that the current turnaround times will be able to be maintained. Members are encouraged to lodge applications via email where possible. Both for safety and speed of delivery. The email address is info@dogsnsw.org.au
As the office is closed to members, the pick up facility is no longer available, and all items will be sent via Australia Post.
Royal New South Wales Canine Council Limited (RNSWCC Ltd) ACN 062 962 118 Trading as DOGS NSW
TIMETABLE - NOMINATION FOR ELECTIONS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020
At the 2020 Annual General Meeting of RNSWCC Ltd, five (5) members of the Board of Directors will retire by rotation pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of RNSWCC Ltd. Accordingly, the Board has resolved to call for nominations to fill the said vacancies.
The successful nominees shall each be elected for a term commencing at the conclusion of the 2020 Annual General Meeting of RNSWCC Ltd and expiring at the conclusion of the first Annual General Meeting held more than 30 months thereafter.
These five (5) positions are to be elected from the following Regions:Two (2) representatives from the Metropolitan Region One (1) representative from the Hunter Region One (1) representative from the Illawarra & South Eastern Region One (1) representative from the Western Region
Retiring Directors are eligible to nominate for these positions provided that they continue to comply with the requirements set out in the following paragraph.
Members seeking election will be required to reside in the Region for which they seek to represent and will also be required to be full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd. It will be necessary to be nominated by two (2) full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd who also must reside in the same Region.
Nomination forms are available from RNSWCC Ltd, PO Box 632 St Marys NSW 1790, or secretary@dogsnsw.org.au
Nominations must be lodged with the Secretary of RNSWCC Ltd at the Company’s registered office, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on or before 3.00pm Friday 5 June 2020. Nominations may be posted to reach the Company’s registered office on or before the closing time.
Nominations must include the full name, address and telephone numbers (both home and business) of the nominee and accompanied by a resume and photograph as described on the RNSWCC Ltd official nomination form.
Each full financial member of RNSWCC Ltd will be eligible to vote for the candidate/s in the Region in which they reside.
Please Note: Associate, Junior Members and Affiliates of RNSWCC Ltd are not entitled to vote.
Members seeking election should also note that the Board of Directors meets at The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Each meeting commences at 2.00pm and generally concludes at 6.30pm.
NOMINEES RESUMES and photographs (if submitted) will be published in the Dogs NSW July 2020 Magazine.
BALLOT PAPERS will be inserted in the July 2020 Magazine and voting will close at 12 noon on Friday 7 August 2020 (with the count on Saturday 8 August 2020 at Orchard Hills).
In 2020, four (4) Members will be elected to the Obedience & Tracking Committee for the period commencing at the November 2020 Meeting of the Committee:
• Four (4) Members elected for a three (3) year period.
All NSW Obedience, Tracking and Specialist Clubs currently offering training in Obedience and or Tracking are, therefore, invited to nominate Members who are full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd (ie, not an Associate or Junior Member), a resident of New South Wales and over 18 years old to serve on the Committee.
Nomination forms are available from RNSWCC Ltd, PO Box 632 St Marys NSW 1790 or secretary@dogsnsw.org.au.
Nominations must be lodged with the Secretary of the RNSWCC Ltd at the Company’s registered office, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on or before 3.00pm Friday 5 June 2020. Nominations may be posted to reach the Company’s registered office on or before the closing time.
Nominations must include the full name, address and telephone numbers (both home and business) of the nominee and accompanied by a resume and photograph as described on the RNSWCC Ltd official nomination form.
Members seeking election should also note that the Obedience & Tracking Committee meets at The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Each meeting commences at 6.00pm and generally concludes at 7.30pm.
NOMINEES RESUMES and photographs (if submitted) will be published in the Dogs NSW July 2020 Magazine.
BALLOT PAPERS will be published in the July 2020 Gazette and voting will close at 12 noon on Friday 7 August 2020 (with the count on Saturday 8 August 2020 at Orchard Hills).
Please Note: 1. Associate, Junior Members and Affiliates of RNSWCC Ltd are not entitled to vote. 2. The Obedience & Tracking Committee Chairperson will be appointed, from within the elected Committee, by the Board of Directors at its November meeting.
AGILITY COMMITTEE 2020
In 2020, two (2) Members will be elected to the Agility Committee for a term commencing at the November 2020 Meeting of the Committee:
• Five (5) Members elected as follows: Three (3) Members for three (3) years Two (2) Members for one (1) year
All NSW Clubs currently conducting Agility Trials are therefore invited to nominate Members who are full financial members of RNSWCC Ltd (ie, not an Associate or Junior Member), a resident of New South Wales and over 18 years old to serve on the Committee.
Nomination forms are available from RNSWCC Ltd, PO Box 632 St Marys NSW 1790 or secretary@dogsnsw.org.au.
Nominations must be lodged with the Secretary of the RNSWCC Ltd at the Company’s registered office, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, on or before 3.00pm Friday 5 June 2020. Nominations may be posted to reach the Company’s registered office on or before the closing time.
Nominations must include the full name, address and telephone numbers (both home and business) of the nominee and accompanied by a resume and photograph as described on the RNSWCC Ltd official nomination form.
Members seeking election should also note that the Agility Committee meets at Castle Hill Dog Training Club, on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Each meeting commences at 7.00pm and generally concludes at 9.30pm.
NOMINEES RESUMES and photographs (if submitted) will be published in the Dogs NSW July 2020 Magazine.
BALLOT PAPERS will be published in the July 2020 Gazette and voting will close at 12 noon on Friday 7 August 2020 (with the count on Saturday 8 August 2020 at Orchard Hills).
Please Note: 1. Associate, Junior Members and Affiliates of RNSWCC Ltd are not entitled to vote. 2. The Agility Committee Chairperson will be appointed, from within the elected Committee, by the Board of Directors
ANKC Health & Well Being Committee COVID 19 advice to breeders
Realising that bitches were mated or whelped prior to the introduction of travel and social distancing restrictions, the CHWC hopes that the following advice will help in the process of transferring puppies to their new owners. In addition the ANKC has received many inquiries in regard to continuation of breeding during this time of Government limitations, this of course is a personal choice but the ANKC recommends that before you mate a bitch, you give serious consideration to difficulties that may be encountered in relocating puppies to their new homes, transporting puppies both inter and intrastate can be a problem as are limited flights between states.
COVID 19 – the basics
COVID 19 is one of a large group of Corona viruses that affect many species. These viruses, like most, are generally species specific and rarely transfer to or affect any other species. Both dogs and cats have corona viruses, but these are genetically very far removed from COVID 19. There has been no recorded transfer of dog and cat Corona viruses to humans and vice versa.
Socialising during the COVID 19 pandemic
Because of the limited movement and social distancing of people during the COVID 19 lockdown, breeders will have to be more inventive with their puppy socialisation, particularly if there are no children around. Lots of play activity, try having different outfits, hats, noises, toys; most of which are usually done anyway. Take a few puppies out at a time in a trolley or pram to walk around the park or the block to see different places, people running past etc. Do more one on one handling, particularly in those breeds that really need the individualisation (GSD, Rottweiler, etc). Stress to new owners that they will need to keep up this socialisation after they leave your care.
Placing a Puppy during COVID 19 – Safety Advice
1. Do most of your normal checks, talking to prospective owners by phone, email, Facebook etc, ahead of time. Send photos, videos of the puppies, how they are being kept and raised, shots of the parents etc.
2. Check the credentials of the new owners, safe yards and fencing, members of the family, young children etc. Give copies of the relevant health certificates to people you expect to take a puppy. Have your puppy pack ready with dietary advice, spare puppy food, vaccination certificates etc, all ready to go before people arrive to see the puppy (or puppies).
3. Explain to prospective owners ahead of time what to expect. Ask whether anyone has had contact with anyone with COVID 19 or whether they have a cold or flu. Ask that older and/or compromised people and young children do not come to view the puppies. Only allow 1-2 people to come at any one time. Have everyone use a hand sanitizer or soap and water before handling the puppies.
4. Put the puppies to be viewed in a playpen, preferably outside, where the puppies can be placed into before the people arrive. Limit the number of puppies brought out. Prospective owners can then handle the puppies without direct contact with you. Any puppies not going can be wiped over with disinfectant (or washed) after the other puppy has gone.
5. Have all the paperwork ready, if anything needs signing, use a pen that they can then keep or you wipe it down with disinfectant/hand sanitizer. Keep the time spent with prospective owners to a minimum. Wash your hands and all open surfaces around the puppy area after the people leave.
6. With the restrictions on travel and only for essential business, it becomes quite difficult to sell puppies and comply with the necessary requirements. All the advice that we can give is how to limit your exposure to the virus when people come to view puppies.
[Note: It has been brought to our attention that in some jurisdictions people visiting your home, to pick up a puppy may be considered to be non-essential and therefore a finable offence, please check you State or Territory COVID 19 Regulations before arranging for puppies to be viewed or picked up.]
Dr. Karen Hedberg BV.Sc Chairperson ANKC Ltd Health and Wellbeing Committee
