Dogs Victoria Webinar - 21 June 2018
Friday, 15 June 2018
Animal Welfare Victoria will deliver two webinars on Thursday 21 June at 12.30pm and 6.30pm to Dogs Victoria members on key changes that were included in the Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Act 2017.
Click here for further details here including how to participate.
Minutes from FCI General Committee Meeting
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Click here to read the minutes from the meeting of the FCI General Committee which took place on 28 February and 1 March 2018.
Code of Practice - Sample Templates
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
Below members will find links to the sample template kits. Please note, whilst these documents are not in their final form we hope they demonstrate and provide some clarity to members on the requirements needed to meet ongoing regulatory requirements. As mentioned in our member update, these templates are in the process of being finalised and will be made available to members shortly.
- DRAFT SAMPLE Model Health Record
- DRAFT SAMPLE Nutrition - General
- DRAFT SAMPLE Model Veterinary Agreement
- Agreement of Sale/Purchase/Lease
Reminder - Member Meeting at Bulla
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
Members are reminded of the event on Thursday on the new government regulations starting at 7.30pm at Bulla.
As previously mentioned, Dogs Victoria is unable to livestream the event as it is subject to broadcast restrictions given the government involvement. Members will however be emailed an information guide which will provide relevant information from the sessions. Dogs Victoria is also exploring the possibility of further education resources including online webinars and regional meetings. Additional details will be provided in due course.
Member Update - Code of Practice
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
Members will be aware that Dogs Victoria has been undertaking a review of our Code of Practice. While we have always maintained that Dogs Victoria’s members and breeders set the standards in welfare and animal management practices, our review has found that our Code of Practice needs to be improved to provide better information and guidance to members and the broader community. It needs to also reflect regulatory and legislative changes made both recently and over a number of years prior to now.
With that in mind, Management Committee has made a number of amendments to the Code to provide clarity and guidance on areas such as record keeping, the health and welfare of breeding dogs and bitches, puppy health guarantees and in the requirements around breeding where hereditary diseases may be a concern. A copy of the revised Code of Practice is available HERE, and members are encouraged to read and provide feedback to our dedicated email.
While many of these changes reflect legal requirements, others are in keeping with advances in veterinary care and welfare practices. It is worth noting that governments are increasing animal welfare regulation, particularly around the breeding of domestic animals. While we are familiar with our own experience in Victoria, member breeders in South Australia and Queensland are also now required to follow new welfare regulatory frameworks. Western Australia and New South Wales are in the consultative processes for new welfare regulations/legislation as well. It is clear that, as attitudes to pet ownership have changed over time, governments now view animal welfare as a core community concern.
While we welcome better understanding by community and governments of animal welfare and care, we need to ensure that any regulatory changes are workable. For our members, of utmost importance is the need to keep our independent, self-regulatory status as an Applicable Organisation – something which we almost lost last year, before we successfully campaigned for amendments to the original Puppy Farm Bill. While we have retained our status, we need to understand that Applicable Organisations are expected to set high standards in governance, animal welfare, management practices and breeder education, in return for the exemptions granted to them.
In order to ensure that our members are well equipped to meet these benchmarks, Dogs Victoria will assist through the provision of templates and education. These templates, which include a kennel health plan for breeders and a much improved sales contract (drawn up by solicitors) will provide both guidance and clarity for members in meeting our regulatory requirements. These templates are in the process of being finalised at the moment and will be made available to members shortly. There will also be a range of education tools and materials made available to affiliates and members to complement the templates.It is the strong view of Dogs Victoria that we must be proactive if we are to maintain credibility in our assertion that Dogs Victoria’s members and breeders set the benchmarks in terms of breeding, welfare and animal management practices. Therefore, Dogs Victoria’s role is to act both as an advocate and also to provide support for our members and pedigree dogs more generally, as we look at ways to improve our current structures and practices so that we are better prepared for the future.
Expressions of interest sought – Investigations Committee
Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Opportunities currently exist for suitably qualified members to join the Investigations Committee on a volunteer basis.
This challenging and varied role offers an opportunity to build well-honed skills in the art of investigation for those interested in a future career in this field, challenges those who wish to be challenged, offers an opportunity to become more involved with the organisation, enables a greater understanding of the Rules and Regulations governing Dogs Victoria and facilitates great personal reward as each case file investigation reaches conclusion.
Update re. Member Meeting at KCC Park
Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Members are reminded of the event tonight on the new government regulations starting at 7.30pm at KCC Park.
Dogs Victoria is unable to livestream the event as it is subject to broadcast restrictions given the government involvement. Members will however be emailed an information guide which will provide relevant information from the sessions. Dogs Victoria is also exploring the possibility of further education resources including online webinars and regional meetings. Additional details will be provided in due course.
The Dogs Victoria “Future Forums”
Monday, 21 May 2018
As promised Management Committee will be conducting a series of member forums throughout the state to give all members a chance to be part of the future improvement and growth of Dogs Victoria.
Our first regional member forum is being held in Shepparton at 7pm on 4 July at the Shepparton Agricultural Society Rooms.
Further visits will be held in Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Traralgon, and at our two metropolitan facilities at Bulla and KCC Park. Advance notice will be given for venues and dates. The focus of these meetings will be to hear what Dogs Victoria members would like to see in the future in our organisation.
Don’t forget if you have any particular issues you would like addressed at these forums, please send them to feedback@dogsvictoria.org.au
Dogs Victoria receives award
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Dogs Victoria was last week awarded recognition at the ‘Healthy Skin Awards 2018’, thanks to efforts from the Bulla Amenities Sub-committee who worked to bring the skin health awareness message to the dog showing community. Receiving the award on behalf of Dogs Victoria were Mr Greg Browne, who is himself a melanoma survivor, along with President and Vice President of the Bulla Amenities Sub Committee – Dr Linda Beer & Ms Julia Jones, as well as incoming President of Dogs Victoria, Mr Wayne Fleming.
The awards presented by the Skin & Cancer Foundation, acknowledge groups or individuals that are active in spreading the healthy skin message across a diverse range of age groups, especially those involved in outdoor pursuits or working in the sun. Dogs Victoria were one of five groups/individuals acknowledged on the night, held at the Melbourne Museum Gallery. During his acceptance speech, Mr Browne pointed out that participation in our fabulous hobby does unfortunately mean many hours outside in all kinds of weather. It is important that all members, young and old, take care of their skin and practice sun-safe habits so that they avoid the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers developing as a consequence of repeated exposure to the sun.
The Bulla Amenities Sub Committee held an active ‘skin health campaign’ at their ‘Autumn Extravaganza Shows’ earlier this year handing out hats and sunscreen to competitors and spectators, but they also plan to extend the skin health awareness message by offering discounted skin checks with qualified dermatologists in conjunction with the Skin & Cancer Foundation later this year. Any Dogs Victoria members who may be interested in taking advantage of this service are asked to send an expression of interest to Bulla Amenities Sub Committee via their Facebook page.
New Regulation - Use of Boxhall Pavilion
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
We wish to draw members attention to the following new regulation which applies to use of the Boxhall Pavilion at KCC Park.
This regulation is now in effect and we request your co-operation accordingly.
Regulation 3.5.11 2 - Regulations applying to use of the Boxhall Pavilion KCC Park
- Large canopy mats or tarps are not permitted to be placed anywhere on the floor in the pavilion.
Small mats may be placed under crates but must not exceed the size of individual crates. - Exercise pens are not permitted for toileting of dogs.
- Space is not permitted to be saved by exhibitors or reserved in advance of the start of a show.
- No exhibitor may toilet their dog in the Boxhall Pavilion or inside the Bulla Pavilion.
Fine for breach of the Regulation 3.5.11.2 $100.
Alert Update
KCC Park News
Check out our new page entitled 'News from KCC Park Facilities Committee'. Regular updates will be posted here to keep you informed of developments at YOUR member facility.
