Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 26, 2007

Continue to... Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Back to our other Press Releases

SUBMISSION OF URBAN ANIMAL MAGAZINE - PAGE 2

At the same time, we acknowledge that the PIAA has elected a new board with stronger members, has attempted to redress the inadequacies of its operation in the accreditation area and now has a far better plan to not only certify new stores that apply but also re-inspect previously accredited stores to make sure they are up to a great standard of pet care, housing, display and ethical marketing. We hope that their current activity can overcome three years of stagnation in this area and that the PIAA can work with government and other organisations for the common good of animals, consumers, and the pet industry in a balanced way. We believe their being blindsided by the introduction of this proposed legislation has certainly cleared their thinking and direction in this crucial issue.

On the other side of the debate, we have been continuously inundated since our first issue by animal liberation radicals, animal rights activists, more moderate animal welfare groups, charities, rescue organisations and breed organisations--all expecting our magazine to champion their cause or take up their issues to our readership. We avoid these because our publication is more about celebrating and promoting the special human bond that exists between companion pets and people, rather than waving flags of political or social groups and boring our readers by ramming propaganda down their throats. But we do have strong opinions about what should be done to redress some inequities in the live animal sales arena as well as government's role in this.

INTRODUCTION

I believe this issue is one that requires a lot of discussion and research and far less hype and emotion than has been exhibited. At Urban Animal, we are fortunate to have visited almost every pet store in the Sydney region over the past three years-from Newcastle in the North through to Katoomba in the West and Wollongong in the South. We did this from the introduction of our first issue to introduce ourselves and also to determine the appropriateness of outlets to carry our publication. We wanted to feel comfortable with the ones which dispense our publication that had pets for sale and with their care of live animals. We continue to monitor outlets and often receive tips from our readers about them. We have dropped some outlets in response to this but also added others that show responsible pet care and marketing.

To begin with, we strongly oppose the sale of animals at market stalls, expos or other public events where there are no standards of care and sale or doubtful if not non-existent health and other lineage checks. We also believe the sale of animals from 'accidental' litters or from 'backyard breeders' should be strongly regulated with a strategy of not allowing the advertising or sale of same. We are also opposed to the questionable breeding and sale of so called 'designer dogs' which are sold as more of a fashion commodity as upmarketed mongrels with dubious claims of breed, spurious health benefits, ignorance of cross breed genetic disorders and other cute names or claims. And of course we condemn 'puppy mills' as does nearly every reputable operator in this industry.

My partner and I have had the luxury of not only visiting over 300 pet stores in Australia over the past four years in various States, we have also been able to go through a broad range of retailers in the US through our travels for the magazine. There are a number of pet stores which are exemplary in their display, care, marketing and vetting of owners prior to selling pets at a reasonable price. There is a pride they have in their business, a love of animals and a set of ethics and standards which set them apart from less careful and caring retailers of livestock.

Continue to... Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Back to our other Press Releases