Support Changes to Dog Breeding in New Zealand

The Issue:
Every year in New Zealand thousands of dogs are are being dumped and needlessly put down.  Last year alone the Auckland City Council killed '3300 impounded dogs by lethal injection' as the current legislation allows dogs to be euthanized after 7 days.  With every new puppy born in New Zealand another well deserving dog in a shelter somewhere is being cruelly killed.  The sad reality is that in New Zealand right now many animal shelters around the country are both over-crowded and overwhelmed and there is simply NO END IN SIGHT.

Why is this happening? 
- The answer is very simple -  because there are TOO
  MANY dogs, and they are being treated like
  commodities.
- Web sites such as Tradme have made it much easier
  for the 'back yard' breeder to proliferate, and for 'buyers'
  to purchase a cute little puppy without due
  consideration of what responsible pet ownership entails.
- Petshop's have supported the awful 'puppy mill' trade
  and on-sold the so called 'designer dogs' for large profits.

What can be done?
- Encourage Parliament to pass URGENT legislation to
  outlaw Puppy Mills.
- Encourage Parliament to pass URGENT legislation that
  does not allow pet  shops to sell puppies or dogs.
- Make spay and neutering mandatory for EVERY dog in
  New Zealand.
- Urge Parliament to explore implementing a Breeder
  Licensing Scheme (for  existing reputable breeders)
  based on the current '6 point plan  Breeder Licensing
  Scheme' proposal put forward in Australia by the NSW
  Animal  Welfare League.  
 
I know that it would be naive of me to think that this will fix the problem overnight, and I am under no illusion that this will be a 'complete fix', however I do whole heartily believe that this is a step in the right direction to ending the misery and suffering of thousands of unwanted canines in this country.  I also believe that aside from the humanitarian aspects that there will be considerable financial gains on both a national and local level.

I also know that this proposal will upset the many reputable breeders out there, and to them I apologize as their integrity is not in question. However, it is my belief that until the current over population of dogs is under control, breeding is simply not a realistic and viable option as there are simply not enough loving homes for these animals.

I would ask that you take a moment to sign this petition if you believe that Dog Overpopulation is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by Parliament  and see if we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of dogs in New Zealand, and of course the wonderful people working so hard to rescue them in the many many shelters around our country.

Thank you for taking the time to read my proposal.

Yours sincerely,

Carolyn Harrison