FCI Committee for Dog Welfare and Health
Tuesday, 31 January 2023
Please see the below booklets which have been released by FCI that cover the following to present an in depth explanation of the importance of dog welfare related matters and their connection to our activities. These documents target the everyday dog keeper, presenting complex materials related to responsible dog keeping o prevent dog welfare matters and better understand the importance of registered breeding.
What Does Responsible Breeding Mean?
Why Choose a National Canine Organisation Registered Breeder?
Preparing and Caring for your Puppy
SCENT WORK RULE REVIEW
Friday, 20 January 2023
The Scent Work Committee will be holding a meeting from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, 4th February 2023 at KCC Park in the German Shepherd Dog Rooms to discuss and vote on the Rule Review submissions. Please read the Submissions HERE and be prepared for discussions. Regional members (200+ km from Melbourne) may link into the Zoom meeting but there are limited spaces available. Please contact Judy Pillinger 0427 434667 or judy@sfa.edu.au for further information and Zoom link.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RESOLUTION - ONLINE CATALOGUE
Wednesday, 18 January 2023
At the November 2022 meeting of the management committee held on 14 December 2022 management committee resolved the following in relation to online catalogues;
Online Catalogue
Resolution:
That at all shows in Victoria that are serviced by online providers must provide an online catalogue before the commencement of the show.
As well as this ring stewards are to be provided with a hard copy of the group they are stewarding for, and a hard copy must be available at the secretary’s office.
National RAFT Hall of Fame - Call for Nominations
Friday, 25 November 2022
Show & Trial Results from August 2022 - October 2022
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Click here to view the show and trial results submitted to Dogs Victoria for August 2022 - October 2022.
The shows and trials included are as follows:
- Dogs Victoria 2022 State Obedience Trial - 6 August 2022
- Dogs Victoria 2022 State Rally Trial - 7 August 2022
- Lillydale Kennel Club of Victoria Inc Championship Shows - 13 & 14 August 2022
- Western Port Obedience Dog Club Obedience and Rally Trial - 20 August 2022
- Samoyed Club of Victoria Inc Championship Show - 21 August 2022
- Deerhound Club of Victoria Inc Championship Show - 22 October 2022
- Golden Retriever Club of Victoria Inc Double Obedience & Rally Trials - 8 October 2022
- Basset Hound Club of Victoria Inc Championship Show - 29 October 2022
- Irish Setter Club of Victoria Inc Championship Show - 30 October 2022
Melbourne Royal Show 2022 Judges Critiques
Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Please find here the Melbourne Royal Show 2022 Judges Critiques.
Dogs Victoria Conformation Judges Training
Wednesday, 19 October 2022
The Dogs Victoria Conformation Judges Committee wish to advise that applications to join the Conformation judges training program will open on the 1 December 2022. The delay is due to regulation changes to the program and confirmation of the 2023 scale of charges.
Animal Welfare Law Reforms
Tuesday, 18 October 2022
The Victorian Government is preparing to implement law reform of the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
In September 2022, the Victorian Government released the "Plan for Victoria’s new animal care and protection laws" for community consultation. The plan has broad-ranging implications for how animal welfare is governed in Victoria. The plan seeks to increase the regulation of animal-related activities and enhance the already extensive powers of enforcement officers.
Dogs Victoria has advocated on behalf of in interests all members by lodging a formal submission in response to the proposed plan. Members are encouraged to read Dogs Victoria's submission, which is available on our website here.
Community consultation on the plan is now closed. Dogs Victoria would like to thank all members who provided their own feedback or submissions.
The Victorian Government intends to release a draft Bill of the reformed legislation in 2023.
We are Updating our Membership and Renewal Forms
Thursday, 11 August 2022
In September 2021, the Victorian Government approved changes to the 'Guidelines for Applicable Organisations', including conditions of membership that will affect Dogs Victoria and all its members.
As a consequence, Dogs Victoria is changing its membership application and renewal forms to reflect the changes to the Guidelines and to ensure that we are meeting (or exceeding) the requirements to continue to maintain this important Applicable Organisation status.
You will probably notice that there are additional sections that you will be required to read and agree to when your next renewal comes around – please take the time to read them carefully!
What is Applicable Organisation status, and why is it important?
As one of only two dog-related associations that the Minister has granted 'Applicable Organisation' status to, Dogs Victoria Members receive some significant concessions under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, including:
- Local Council registration concessions for entire animals
- Exemption from Local Council 'compulsory desexing' orders.
- Recognition of Dogs Victoria Breeder Prefix holders as 'Recreational Breeders' which exempts them from the requirement of registering with their Local Council as a Domestic Animal Business (Breeding) provided that they have no more than 10 'fertile adult females'
The approval of any organisation as an Applicable Organisation requires the organisation to have a Member Code of Ethics, a compliance and dispute process, to commit to educating its members in relation to government legislation and Codes of Practice, and to report each year back to the Minister in relation to their operations.
Want More Information?
You can read the updated 'Guidelines for Applicable Organisations' by Clicking Here.
You can read more about Applicable Organisations and Recreational Breeders by Clicking Here.
Animal Welfare Victoria has also produced a Fact Sheet that further explains what being a member of an Applicable Organisation means and answers some common questions regarding the exemptions – Click Here to Read the Fact Sheet.
Important Notice for Dogs Victoria Breeders
Friday, 8 July 2022
Recently the RSPCA has been quite active in relation to encouraging members of the public to report ‘animal sales’ that are taking place in public places.
This has led to a number of our breeder members expressing concern that they may be in breach of the law (and therefore may get reported) when meeting puppy purchasers at a dog show or event to deliver a puppy to its new owners.
Dogs Victoria has sought clarification from Animal Welfare Victoria on this matter so as to provide increased clarity for Dogs Victoria breeders in relation to this law.
"Provided that the actual sale of the animal has already taken place (i.e. the financial transaction has already occurred), then delivery at a public place is acceptable without an animal sales permit".
We understand that many well-meaning breeders arrange to meet puppy purchasers at a show or event to reduce the distance required to be travelled, especially if the breeder was already planning on attending the event.
There are a number of reasons where an ‘Animal Sale Permit’ would be required – such as breed clubs who undertake breed rescue hosting an ‘adoption day’, or where a breeder planned to take pups to an event in order to promote their sale (i.e. the sale has not yet occurred).
Animal Welfare Victoria has a Fact Sheet on the topic which explains Animal Sales Permits, and when they are required, you can view it by clicking here.
Hot off the Press
Victorian Canine Association - Annual General Meeting - 2023
Further to the notice published in the January 2023 Gazette, members are advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Canine Association Inc will be held on Wednesday 24 May 2023 commencing at 7.30pm at KCC Park (face-to-face) and virtually for those members that find it more convenient.
