Archive for October, 2011

Today was a Good Day

Published at October 23, 2011 in general. 40 Comments

Today was a good day. I still cried like I do most days, but today were tears of relief. Relief that they are listening. Relief for my team who have stood by me for years even when I almost gave up. Relief for the hidden dogs that I am always with where ever I go. Relief for the staunch loyal kick arse supporters of Oscar’s Law who believed “The power is in our hands”

Almost 20 years ago I was a lone voice telling people we factory farm our pets. No one believed me, it couldn’t possibly be true. Today we have succeeded in exposing the industry and it is hidden no more.

This is the first time in 20 years that any Government has made a first positive move and listened to the communities concerns.

People have jumped on the bandwagon and I think its great 🙂

As I remember back to that day in 1993 and look at the journey so far, so many times we could of walked away, so many times we were ridiculed, attacked, belittled, humiliated and threatened and we never gave up. I am proud of the people who have chosen to take the journey with me, proud that all they see are the dogs, in the sheds, in the cages, in the dirt pens. They dont seek out the kudos and the limelight, they simply stand beside me and get the job done. They are heroes.

It’s a step forward in this long battle.

So I will still cry every day, and my soul will still be torn apart, and we will at times feel like we are on the edge of our sanity, the battle continues and I will remain in those sheds until they are empty.

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But today, just one day, I will celebrate this moment of greatness with Oscar, the dog that changed my life, showed me the way and resolved my commitment to never give up. The power is in our hands!

I want Oscar’s Law

Turning a blind eye

Published at October 16, 2011 in general. 8 Comments

An illegal puppy factory has operated in Geelong for years. The factory is making thousands of dollars weekly selling puppies online. It first came to the attention of Geelong Council in 2007.

IMG_4315Geelong Council stated in 2009 “Our planning department is attempting to put together a case whereby he will have to apply for a permit as a breeding establishment”

a year later

April 2010 Geelong Council ” we are working with a number of Government agencies in an effort to address concerns regarding this property”. “We are gathering evidence from various sources to support the view that a business is being conducted on the property”

a month later

June 2010 Geelong Council “Our investigations are proceeding”

a month later

July 2010 Geelong Council  “I am sure that you will appreciate that these matters can not always be resolved easily, it takes time to investigate and prosecute these type of issues, but we will resolve this one”

4 years after first being alerted to an illegal puppy factory within the Shire

July 2011 Geelong Council “Can you give me information on these puppies?“

Is Geelong Council serious about animal welfare or enforcing any sort of legislation?

Last week footage and evidence was released about the shocking treatment of animals at Geelong Animal Welfare Society.

Are you going to trust that Geelong Council is going to take urgent action at GAWS? And what about this powerful Board at GAWS, what did they do? Well they announced that GAWS weren’t going to kill animals anymore?

But Geelong Council and GAWS have known for a long time that animals were being drugged and brutalised at GAWS, they choose to get rid of the staff that became whistle blowers, staff that attempted to speak out, stand up and yell “This is wrong”  The DPI gave GAWS the tick of approval a month before the video was allegedly taken. How effective are DPI audits?

Council and DPI know about the illegal puppy factory still operating in Geelong, Council knew about the mistreatment of animals at GAWS. They choose to do nothing, and animals are suffering from their birth to their death, because they choose to do nothing.

No point in telling the people that GAWS are not going to kill animals anymore, I don’t think anyone cares about how good your going to be. I think the crowd yesterday got it right. Restoring the public’s confidence can only be achieved through removing the Shelter Manager and that Vet! People who abuse animals, should be made accountable.

300184_2323077350936_1069652874_2567977_1011957803_nTime for negotiation is over! The people want answers, accountability and most importantly the animals at GAWS are needing urgent protection.