Campaign News
Puppy Farm Shuts Down
From the Ballarat Courier, 3 May 2005
The controversial Learmonth puppy farm will close.
Ballarat City Council announced yesterday it had reached an agreement with
owner, Dr Ron Wells, to close the Eurovision breeding facility on July 31.
Reading from a prepared statement and refusing to answer further questions,
Mayor David Vendy said the agreement was signed in early February following
12 months of negotiations.
"This city is satisfied with this outcome, as it will see a permanent
solution which is in the best interests of the dogs, and will bring the
matter to an end," Cr Vendy said. "Prosecution, while always an option, was not council's preferred course of action, as there was no guarantee that Dr Wells would have received anything
more than a fine."
Dr Wells also issued a written statement, blaming economic difficulties for the decision to close and saying his "much-loved dogs will be moved to other caring and empathetic owners". He said the closure would result in 10 people losing their jobs. "The cost of breeding high quality, disease-free puppies is high and has increased every year to the point where the company's efforts are now marginally economic," Dr Wells said. "Adequate reinvestment is not therefore possible and the Eurovision family has very reluctantly decided to close the business".
"Eurovision thanks sincerely all those who have strongly supported us over two decades, especially our large family of staff members, fellow traders in Ballarat and beyond, the City of Ballarat for very responsible civic governance and finally all of the very large number of dog lovers who have travelled far and wide to find us." Animal Liberation Victoria has waged a 10-year campaign against the kennel and campaign manager Debra Tranter was "in a state of shock" following
yesterday's announcement.
"It has been on the books that it was going to have to close down as we have been applying enormous pressure on Dr Wells and on the council, but I wasn't really expecting it so soon," Ms Tranter said. "But, after 10 years it is a wonderful, wonderful victory.
"I'm glad the council has moved to close it down but now I hope the mayor and council take the further initiative and promise that they will not allow any similar puppy breeding farms in the City of Ballarat in the future".
Animal Liberation Victoria's war against the site had escalated substantially in the past year, highlighted by an early morning raid at the facility on October 31 last year. During the raid activists found dead puppies wrapped in newspaper and locked in freezers. The campaign again intensified last week when more than 50 activists laid siege to the Town Hall. Cr Vendy said yesterday the council would continue to closely monitor the facility during the next three months.
"Unfortunately council does not have any legal powers to determine where the dogs go once they are removed from the property," he said. Although the agreement to close the site was signed three months ago, Cr Vendy said details could not be released until yesterday due to commercial
in-confidence arrangements. "Council recognises that this has been a long standing, emotionally charged issue."
Say No given $1000 grant - Voiceless Grants 2004
We have recently been awarded a $1,000 Grant from the Voiceless program. The Voiceless mission is this: "Voiceless will work to promote respect and compassion for animals, increase awareness of the conditions in which they live and take action to protect animals from suffering." Actor Hugo Weaving is the Ambassador for Voiceless. Please go here and see other worthy recipients of the Voiceless Awards : http://www.voiceless.org.au
Northern Beaches Weekender
We had a surprise article in the Northern Beaches Weekender entitled "How
much is that doggie in the window?"
 Written
by Journalist Desley Corbett, she has provided a view from all sides: SayNO,
local pet shops, NSW Animal Liberation, Local anaimal enthusiast and the RSPCA.
There was support from all quarters against puppy farms, even those pet shops
who chose to respond. Hopefully this article will make people think twice before
purchasing an animal from a pet shop and make the effort to go to an animal
shelter instead. Here's to many more similar articles around Australia!
Cumberland News Group
 We
had a SayNO
advertisement in the community newspapers of the Cumberland News Group in
October. These newspapers cover Sydney and the Central Coast and number 18 in
total. They have a combined readership of over 1,000,000 people.
We have had some excellent responses to these advertisements, the vast
majority offering support and help. Here are just a few comments from people who
have seen the ad - all have received a reply and are now helping with the SayNO
campaign. Wonderful!
"I would like to volunteer to help stop the sale of live animals in pet shops
and thus eradicating cruel puppy mills and backyard breeders. I really hope that
I can make a difference."
"I have printed out your fliers and petition and will get as many signatures as
possible for this cause."
"Yes I think I should be able to sell some stickers. Also I do one day a week at
a charity shop so will take a copy of the petition with me."
"I have signed the petition and will make a donation, however, I would like to
volunteer my time also. Please advise if there are volunteer opportunities."
"I would like to thank you for your work and I will support this petition by
passing it around."
"Just letting you know that I have printed your flyer and would be more than
happy to distribute them each morning as I walk my little boys (my dogs!!). Keep
up your great work."
We have also had (so far) just two Pet Shop owners e-mailing their concerns with
our SayNO campaign ads and providing their point-of-view. Whilst many of their
observations were sad but understandable given that they sell animals for
profit, I have also included here two statements (along with the SayNO reply)
that made my blood pressure rise a little....:
"My advice would be to spend some time watching the faces of children that go
into pet shops and see what you want to deny them."
SayNO response: My advice would be to look at the faces of the 130,000 dogs and
60,000 cats euthanased every year in Australia and the people who have to do
this tragic job. We should be asking the children and their parents to think a
little harder about WHERE that cute puppy in the window has really come from.
And why there are so many dogs and cats left homeless and then killed, and why
so much money is being made by backyard breeders and pet shops at the expense of
the lives of these poor animals. We do not want to deny children and families
the opportunity to have a pet, only that they should buy one from the pound or
rescue centres and save a life, or visit a reputable, registered breeder.
"I and many others in the Pet Shop industry will fight your campaign. It has
taken you a long time to get the 3000 signatures of the 10,000 you are after, it
will take a lot less time for me to get 20,000."
SayNO response: Oh well, we'll keep plugging away......"Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world...indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has!" Margaret Mead
Saturday 21st August 2004
The World League for Protection of Animals held an International Homeless
Animals Day event at the Town Hall steps in Sydney followed by a candle-light
vigil to remember the millions of innocent but unwanted companion animals that
are put to death around the world each year. In Australia alone this amounts to
at least 130,000 dogs and 60,000 cats.
The Say No To Animals In Pet Shops team were there to give support and
provide information and leaflets as well as asking for our petition to be
signed. We added another 220 signatures. Representatives from other welfare
groups such as Animal Liberation and DoggieRescue were also there to lend a hand
and provide their expert information on how to reduce the dreadful number of
companion animals who suffer hunger, loneliness, pain and fear before death ends
their brief life.
 The atmosphere of all these groups working together with a common cause of
improving the lives of companion animals was magnificent and we all met new
friends and helped each other with ideas to support our individual campaigns.
Draw cards that attracted the general public to the stands were the gentle Boxer
Shandi and the lively Terrier Muffin and little Chloe, who all received so many pats that they
were exhausted from the excitement by the end of the day.
Many thanks to Kelly from WLPA for the organising and all the many supporters
of SayNO who worked tirelessly throughout the day to help. Simply wonderful!
NSW report
The NSW group had a great morning campaigning for SayNo at the NSW walk on Sunday
16th May 2004 at Centennial Park. The sun was shining down as all the volunteers
gathered under the trees to meet each other. Then armed with trusty
clip-boards, petitions, leaflets and stickers they joined the throngs of people
and dogs to do their stuff!
 The Telegraph article on Puppy Farms recently and the published letter
referring to the SayNo organisation had raised people's awareness of the issues
and everyone spoken to was very enthusiastic about our mission and happy to
sign the petition. The group got over 500 more signatures towards the NSW
petition and handed out hundreds of leaflets directing people to our website.
They also came across several people who wanted to help and a lady even grabbed a
clip board and another an armful of leaflets to start then and there!
Many thanks to all our volunteers - Tina, Ramesh, Chanel, Paul,
Lindsay, Fiona, Chris, Kathryn & Paul - who managed to do such a wonderful and
worthy job, not only with the petition and leaflets but selling stickers to
raise funds.
WA report
The WA campaign went very well. It was a very cold and wet day in Perth, but
the SayNo volunteers lead by the SayNo WA Rep Rhonda Granner got 227
signatures towards the WA Petition and handed out 163 leaflets, so a few more
people are now aware of our mission!
The group had put together some great SayNo signage with T-shirts, doggie
coats and banners. Below you will see some photos of Rhonda along with
Sally, Tracey, Michelle and Rosemary and their dogs who braved the bad weather
to campaign.
Michelle and Sophie (her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) also appeared on
Channel 10 TV! They were seen at the end of the news but you could see the
terrific SayNo coat Sophie was wearing quite well which was wonderful publicity.
Many thanks to all these lovely ladies and their dogs who campaigned so well for
such a great cause. 'Til next time....
ACT report
SayNo were represented by supporter Michele at the ACT Million Paws Walk. She
achieved a great result with petition signatures and gave away a lot of fliers.
Michele also managed to sell SayNo stickers, and enlist the help of a PAWS
volunteer to distribute our leaflets from their stand. Well done Michele!
VIC report
Our intrepid supporter in Victoria at the Millions Paws Walk was Christine.
She did a great job working solo this year. Just her and her trusty clipboard,
walking about with SayNO stickers on her backpack, the front of her t-shirt and
also on the back of the clipboard. The stickers worked a treat - a number of
people approached Christine asking to sign. Otherwise she approached people at
random from 10.00am to around 2.00pm.
Christine did a fabulous job and collected 81 signatures and
handed out approx the same number of leaflets. Some people didn't want to sign
but took the flyer so they could find out more first. She also met several
breeders who were particularly supportive, plus someone who said they had been
doing letter-box drops of the SayNO flyer. A great effort, thanks Christine!
 March 6, 2004 - For March e-Newsletter in Adobe PDF format click
here. If you do not have
the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click on the icon to
download the free Acrobat Reader.
The Say No campaign has
encountered a few changes since the last e-newsletter! Our two founding members
Dave and June have recruited other team members to take the campaign to the next
level. Indeed we have gone up a gear as we are now officially “Say No To Animals
In Pet Shops Incorporated”, with our own Public Officer, Committee and bank
account! We have also updated the Say No website to a new server and made a few
changes to the layout etc. So now we are poised and ready to make an
impact.....! If you would like to volunteer to help, please
contact us.
November 26, 2003
 Phew - we did it!
The first national SAY NO to Animals in Pet Shops Day went off
extremely well at Pitt Street Mall in Sydney, on November 26th. The sun was
shining, which was fabulous because it had rained non-stop for days,
people took our leaflets and... we looked fab in our SAY NO t-shirts! A big thank you to everyone who turned out to help - MUCH
appreciated! A big thanks also to the inexhaustible Lindsay McDougall
from the band Frenzal Rhomb, who handed out copious amounts of leaflets
and also to the wonderful Clover Moore MP, who came along to show her
support. One man drove past and shouted out to us "They're talking about
your campaign on the radio right now!" But we didn't find out which
station he was referring to as the lights went green and he zoomed off! THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN!
 November 3, 2003
Christmas is a popular time for purchasing animal companions as gifts,
and as ever we are concerned that people take their pet-buying
decision very seriously at this time of the year. To raise awareness
that a pet is not just another Christmas toy, we have released an
advertisement to be featured in the popular fashion and art magazine
Oyster.
November 3, 2003
 ANIMAL LIBERATION VICTORIA have conducted a puppy farm rescue. The
following was taken from their latest newsletter:
On a cold and stormy night in August this year, the ALV Rescue
Team investigated conditions at a puppy farm near Melbourne.
Previous visits to this puppy breeding factory uncovered appalling
animal abuses.
This puppy farm confines up to two hundred small dogs of
lucrative breeds, including Terriers, Spaniels, and Pug varieties.
The dogs kept on the property are used to breed puppies, who are
then sold in pet shops at inflated prices.
The conditions on the farm were far from ideal. On the night of
the investigation the temperature was close to zero degrees and
the dogs were sleeping on the hard floors of their small kennels,
without any bedding or blankets for warmth. The dogs are fed only
dry food, which is scooped out of a wheelbarrow into the pens.
Adjacent to the enclosures, there is a large heap of animal waste,
which is rather like an open sewer, an obvious environmental
hazard.
The ALV rescue team gathered video and photographic footage of
the caged, un-socialised animals and their living conditions, and
rescued one of the cold and frightened dogs who is now living in a
warm and loving home. The ALV investigation is continuing.
Christmas is coming, please make sure you tell all your friends
the cruelty behind that 'cute little puppy' in the pet shop window.
DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE HOMELESS ANIMALS DIE... Visit an animal
shelter and save a life.
October 14, 2003
We are pleased to announce our first radio advertisement, which
will be heard on all good community radio stations around
Australia in the coming weeks.
Click here to download a special MP3 version (731k) and be
one of the first to hear it!
October 12, 2003
Read about the plight of Floss
here. This is an example of puppy breeding at its worst,
but fortunately the story has a happy ending in this case.
Imagine what happens to the ones who don't have the fortune of
being discovered ...
October 8, 2003
 Stick 'em on your car... Stick 'em on your guitar... Stick
'em on your forehead if the mood strikes you! The fabulous
SAY NO stickers are here! Available from this very website, our stickers are bold,
brash and straight to the point. What's more, they're only
TWO dollars and all the proceeds go to our campaign! Have
you got the guts to stand up for those who have no voice?
Make a start now and grab your SAY NO stickers while supplies last! Oh, and rumour has it there'll be even more exciting SAY NO gear available in the not too distant future, so keep
your eyes peeled...
September 18, 2003
Barbara Steffenson who owns and runs the non-kill
shelter Animal Rights and Rescue Group (ARRG) on the Far
North Coast writes in her latest newsletter:
- One of the saddest rescue cases I have ever seen.
Jessie is a pure bred poodle and had been hit by a car
and left on the roadside. It appears she had been there
two days before the lady who called us found her. Jessie
was taken to the vet and her condition was shocking
news. A broken leg, large mammary gland cancers covering
her stomach and 11 years of age. Where's the monster who
dumped this breeding dog now that she was ill and needed
treatment? Jess only has a few months to live so she
will stay in our care.
-
- Some backyard breeder or puppy farm owner had made
their money out of Jessie, and now it was time to get
rid of her. There are so many Jessie's out there being
dumped and killed every day.
If you would like to make a donation to Barbara's
shelter please contact her at: ARRG, PO BOX 16,
Wollongbar NSW 2477
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Abused, riddled with
cancer and left for dead, Jess only has a short while
to live.
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September 16, 2003
Unfortunately, "free" is too often seen as "worthless"
in the eye of the beholder. This is how some people
see your giveaway pet:
- FREE bait to train fighting dogs and greyhounds
- FREE snake food
- FREE sacrifice for satanic rituals
- FREE animal for malicious pranks
- FREE to a good home to breed indiscriminately
- FREE fish bait
- FREE money from the research lab
- FREE animal to set on fire
- FREE animal to insert a firecracker into
PLEASE don't offer your companions FREE to a good home
unless you just don't care what happens to them.
Volunteers who work endless hours to save pets from
the horror of abuse and homelessness bring this
message to you.
September 8, 2003
 Well if you're reading this then it's rather obvious
our website is online, but we just had to crow about
it! A big thank you to all the people who sent us
links and information for the site. Keep in mind it
will be updated regularly, so feel free to contribute
anything you think may be useful to our campaign.
Webmasters are welcome to
link to our
home page
and spread the word
and stop the suffering! Grab our logo above and paste it
in your web pages.
September 4, 2003
It is time to recognise that we have moral and
ethical responsibilities to all animals
including those with four legs. Many scientists
are now acknowledging the need for a change of
thinking. Recent studies into animals' emotional, mental
and behavioural states clearly show that animals
feel pain, suffer, experience stress, affection,
excitement and even love. Animals are not fashion items or things to be
sold, tortured, modified or discarded because they
no longer match the furnishings. SAY NO to animals
in pet shops and give shelter animals a chance to
live full and happy lives.
Senator Andrew Bartlett
Leader of the Australian Democrats
Animal
Welfare Spokesperson
Read what our other prominent supporters have
to say
here.
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