22nd August 2008
We have finally been able to compile an analysis of all the animals killed in NSW pounds and shelters using 2006-2007 Statistics that are available from a range of sources.
Total NSW cats and dogs admitted: 118,558
Total NSW cats and dogs killed: 56,920
Please read Update #8 to find out about these figures and what makes the Dogs Trust in the UK so much more successful than Australia in reducing their euthanasia numbers.

19th August 2008
The Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2008 
Lord Mayor of Sydney and Independent MP Ms Clover Moore has spent the last couple of months revising the Animals Bill 2007 following all the positive feedback from the public and additional advice received from a range of pet loving experts.
This revision will be finalised in about 6 weeks time and a NEW Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2008 will be submitted to the NSW Parliament in September/October this year. We are very excited by this further development of the Bill, which takes us a step closer to a workable solution.
This NSW Bill has so far, and will in the future, raise significant awareness of the sad plight of our companion animals and help to advertise the alternate choices the public have in where and how they acquire their pets.

7th August 2008
Hello friends and supporters. We are well overdue to send you another update on the Animals Bill and how the campaign is going. There is lots going on behind the scenes and we have a meeting happening early next week to progress our campaign action, so will let you know after this.

29th July 2008
Have you ever wondered what happens to Greyhounds?

Approximately 20,000 Greyhounds are bred for racing in Australia every year.  Unfortunately, thousands upon thousands of Greyhounds are destroyed each year for no other reason than they become surplus to racing industry requirements. Many Greyhounds are killed before they reach 2 years of age if they do not show enough speed or potential, or by age 3-4 when they are retired or no longer able to race due to injury. 

For Greyhounds, it literally is…..    THE QUICK,…. OR THE DEAD
Greyhounds are friendly, gentle dogs that love human companionship – they are sociable, tolerant and affectionate and make wonderful family pets and companions. 

Greyhounds find themselves at the mercy of this betting industry.  It is amazing to think that a breed of one of the world's most favoured species of companion animal is exploited and destroyed in such vast numbers for this profit-driven "sport" and, incredibly, the sake of gambling. 

Please consider adopting a Greyhound. For more information contact:
Friends of the Hound Greyhound Adoption Group
(02) 6677 9115 / 0416 194 864
email: friendsofthehound@linknet.com.au
www.friendsofthehound.org.au

28th July 2008
The following quote on our Petition highlighted an ongoing problem - the current conflict between pets, renting or unit living. In the current ecomonic climate the fall-out from this is only likely to get worse. People who really want a pet will buy from Pet Shops to bi-pass the Shelter documentation and keep their pet "illegally". If they are found out, they may have to unwillingly surrender their pet to the pound, with the obvious consequences...

"My Partner and I bought my little Precious Angel from the Pet shop. We didn't have a choice. I really wanted to adopt a pet from the Shelter before I got my precious one, but we live in a Unit and we couldn't ask our Landlord to sign the permit form the Shelter needed prior to adoption. For this reason I went to the pet shop one day with my partner. I saw this little kitten with angelic face, that's why we picked her and I'm glad that we picked her. She's my little angel and I can't live without her! After reading the article about those unwanted animals in the shelters, I was in tears and it breaks my heart watching the video. I do believe in the rights of every animal - their right to live and have a good life! "

1) If you rent, whether a house or unit, most Tenancy Agreements do not allow pets
2) If you live in a unit, whether you own or rent, most Body Corporate rules do not allow pets

It is also amazing how many people do not realise that surrendering your pet to a Pound almost always means the death of your pet....

"I sent a dog to the pound because I had a newborn baby and I couldn't handle both, I thought the dog would be fine and go to a new home, but she got put down... this shouldn't happen".

"I gave my dog to the Pound because he bit someone. I felt so sad & immediately regretted the decision, but didn't call the Pound until the next day and it was already too late - he was dead. I honestly thought I'd just have to pay a hundred dollars or so to get him out. They euthanised him at 4 a.m. I hate myself & feel such guilt. If only I'd been more responsible & always had him on a leash, he'd be sitting here right now. He was only 9 months old and just needed training."

26th June 2008
Its been a great couple of weeks for media coverage. See Update #7 for more details and links to videos. Programs have appeared on Channel Nine, Channel Ten and Channel Seven - how's that for a sweep!
DEATHROWPETS is going to Canberra this weekend to meet with Michael Linke CEO of the RSPCA ACT. We will be reporting on all the positive actions that are happening there.
We have had some very interesting and enlightening communciation with a couple of rural Council Rangers. They have told us that the situation with cat and dog overpopulation is really dreadful. They are under resourced and are distressed at having to kill so many animals. We are trying to gather support and assistance for them and will tell you how we go.

1st June 2008
Just sent out Update Number 6 to all our subscribers and interested contacts.
The fantastic news is that the NSW Liberal Party has decided to call for a Parliamentary Enquiry into the pet industry. They have decided, we understand, that they need more information in order to make a decision on which way to vote on the proposed Bill. This has come about AS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF ALL YOUR LETTER WRITING AND LOBBYING! This is a very good outcome, as an enquiry will bring out into the open all the related issues we have been exposing since we began this campaign.
We have been busy canvassing media for attention on the pet-overpopulation issue and the proposed Bill. As a result of this The Sunday Show will be airing a program that you should not miss on Sunday June 15th, between 7.30 am and 9.30 am. Mark this on your calendars! For lots of other news and opinion read the Update!

21st May 2008
Have just got back from 3 weeks in the UK last night, but we're keen to get back into the fray! Paid a visit to the Dogs Trust in the UK - an amazing example of how to positively tackle the rehoming of dogs.
Note: almost all Pet Shops in the UK no longer sell live animals from their stores. Of course they are also big on desexing and better education and regulation re their pets too. The whole of the UK (pop 60 million) euthanases approximately 25,000 cats and dogs per year - mostly sick and the very old, as opposed to Australia (pop 21 million) where we euthanase 250,000 'excess' healthy cats and dogs (60,000 each year in NSW).
We'll get our next newsletter out very soon as there's much more exciting news on The Animals Bill and Media happenings. Also the magnificent result of the Day of Action outside NSW Parliament House and the launch of Lead the Way (see our Home Page).
Don't forget to subscribe for updates to make sure you catch all the news - there's plenty happening..

24th April 2008
For anyone who is a sceptic of desexing, please read the following message from a Ranger...
“The work I mainly do now is 90% full time impounding dogs and trapping cats. So far since 1st June 2007, 1024 dogs and cats have passed through the small animal shelter, all bar 17 have been destroyed. You ask what can be done, I feel all companion animals should be desexed unless the owners are registered breeders of these animals”

22nd April 2008
We thought that Update #4 was pretty big but take a look at Update #5! With your help we are uncovering many reasons why we have such an oversupply of companion animals in the market in New South Wales. On the positive side, we know that there are workable solutions currently being demonstrated in other Countries and States. So the task at hand is solvable.
Don't forget to take part in the Day of Action to remind NSW MPs that there is overwhelming public support for the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill. This is being run by Paws for Action on 7 May 11.30am - 2.00pm outside Parliament House.

17th April 2008
The emails and phone calls have been running absolutely non-stop this week! There has been an amazing build up of positive activity and action from many sources: replies and actions from supporters following the last Email Update, new subscribers, much progress with Media and PR campaigns at every level. Not just via DEATHROWPETS.net but we are also getting similar feedback from other animal advocates in NSW and around Australia. We will be able to give you all more details as plans firm up - so watch this space and please don't let up on the pressure...

10th April 2008
We were delighted to receive a lovely personal letter along with a quote for the DEATHROWPETS site from Alan Jones AO, Australia's most popular talkback presenter on 2GB. Alan was very supportive of DEATHROWPETS.net.
Read his quote on our Celebrity Statements page. We will reply to his letter this week.

8th April 2008
Well this was a BIG update - Email Update #4. This issue covered some very disconcerting information...did you know that the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) are opposed to the Animals Bill?
We posed the following questions: why are the AVA at every turn fighting against the Bill? Why haven’t they instead come up with some practical strategies to help stop the dreadful euthanasia problem? All we are seeing is their opposition to a Bill that seeks to create regulation in an unregulated market and reduce the excessive numbers of animals in the market. If puppies and kittens were no longer sold via Petshops and newspapers, what impact would this have on the Veterinary business?
We have also been alerted to 2 informative new sites: Petshop Abuse and Paladin Blue - please check these out.

5th April 2008
A big thank you to Kathryn of Moggy & Mutt Pet Boutique in Northbridge, NSW who is promoting DeathRowPets in her pet supplies shop. Go and shop there for all your pet's requirements!

2nd April 2008
Some of our supporters have received a reply from their MP with the same set of specific objections to the Animals Bill. We note that these objections have been 'cut and pasted' from an original letter by the Hon Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries. Click here to see our response to these objections...please use this information to respond back to your MP. Thanks everyone

29th March 2008
Sent out our Email Update #3 today to promote the Paws for Action website - which enables you to send an instant email to your MP asking them to support the Animals Bill. It will take you less than a minute and will save lives. We have an initial target of 5000 emails but the more sent the more your MP will sit up and take notice.

27th March 2008
Thank you to everyone who sent in letters to be mailed with the Puppy Mill DVD to their MP in support of the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007. All these will be posted out this week. Hopefully you will get a response from your MP once they receive the DVD.
I received the following reply from an MP's office: "I very much understand your views, I'm a dog-lover myself (I don't currently own one though), and believe me we have been inundated by emails from the public, not unlike your email, who are concerned about the same thing."
I have a good feeling from various anectotal evidence received that the ground-swell is growing in favour of the animals at last. Hurrah - let's keep the momentum up.

20th March 2008
A big part of the solution is education - education about desexing, adopting a new pet from a Rescue organisation, not buying from Advertisments or Pet Shops etc. So we've decided to get a 'Celebrity Quotes' page going to raise the awareness and profile of DEATHROPETS.net. Started to research the contact details for a few of our most favourite Celebrities. We will be writing to each one with our request for a quote to show their support for the animals waiting on death row. If you personally know a Celebrity, please ask them as well. Many thanks.

14th March 2008
We received this lovely letter from Emma in Melbourne;
"To all of the wonderful people at Death Row Pets, I was sincerely touched when I saw one of your videos about how irresponsible and cruel some people are, such as those who only care for making a profit and treating our beautiful companions as products to be sold.
Tears were flowing down my eyes and I could not stop crying all night. This does have to be stopped!
I have made some flyers and have decided to hang them up around my school so the kids can see what is happening to our beloved companions. We are the future and have the power to save it.
I just thought you would be interested in hearing this.
For the animals! Emma. Age: 14."

13th March 2008
We will be sending out the next Email Update #2 today to request your help!
As part of the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007 campaign in NSW we will be sending an excellent DVD called The Puppy Mill to all the NSW MPs of the Legislative Assembly who will be voting on the Bill shortly. We have been advised that this will have more impact if the DVD is accompanied by a letter from someone in each of the MP's Electorate. This is where YOU can help...if you live in NSW!
If you can help us with the campaign letter, please can you add your details and your MP's details to this letter. Print the letter, make sure you sign it and post it to us at: DEATHROWPETS.net, PO Box 292, Frenchs Forest, NSW 1640. We will send it to your MP along with the DVD on your behalf.

11th March 2008
Following on from our discussions on a 'low kill' strategy for Pounds in yesterday's 'blog", we discovered this Hawkesbury Gazette article 31 Jan 2008 on the views of Martin Tolar, Baulkham Hills Council. So we quickly got on the phone and spoke with Martin. Baulkham Hills Council have introduced an innovative “low-kill” strategy for the companion animals that end up in the Hawkesbury Pound (used by Baulkham Hills, Hawkesbury and Penrith Shire Councils).
A Motion was moved that Baulkham Hills Shire Council adopt a ‘Low Kill’ Policy in respect to its companion animals. Here are the Baulkham Hills Council Meeting Minutes on the subject dated 26 Feb 2008). We are delighted that Baulkham Hills Council and Martin Tolar have lead the way with their initiative.

10th March 2008
Spent a very productive few hours with a former Pound manager and a Pound volunteer to find out what really happens in NSW pounds and what they thought were the key issues we must address. We learnt that it IS possible for Pounds to reduce the numbers of animals they euthanase by changing the motivation, attitude and profit distribution of the Pound. This is demonstrated in the difference in "kill rates" across NSW Pounds right now. A few have managed to achieve "low kill" status, whilst others have 90% kill rates and put very little effort into rehoming. This change in attitude in Pounds has been trialled in the US with amazingly positive results - see 'Redemption' by Nathan J Winograd.
The other key issue we discussed was that desexing must become mandatory for all pets, with the only exclusion being Registered Breeders who would be carefully monitored.

5th March 2008
We were invited by Clover Moore's Office to NSW Parliament House to attend a campaign meeting on the Animal (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007. The meeting was attended by many organisations involved with Rescue and Shelter who are working at the 'coal face' day in and day out to save animal lives. These organisations suppport this Bill because they know that something different must be done to stop the unnecessary killing. The Bill has been presented and is waiting to be voted on by the MP's - but no date set for this yet. We have developed a campaign plan and will keep you updated and will even ask for your help via future Updates.

3rd March 2008
We received the following question on getting a petition going in support of Clover More's Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007.
“Some of our supporters are saying that we should get a petition going. I have heard that petitions are a waste of time as Ministers are not bound to take consideration of them. Can you give us a definitive ruling on this please so that we can decide if this is a useful thing to do or not? I don’t want to waste time on things that don’t work.”
Response: Petitions are good in massive numbers linked with other activities, but it is true that MPs do discount them because they don't demonstrate a strong level of engagement with an issue. Furthermore, the petitions go to the Minister's office and there is no guarantee that the Minister informs MPs of how many constituents have signed the petition. Actions that get people to personally contact their MPs are the strongest.

2nd March 2008
We sent out our first DEATHROWPETS.net Email Update #1 to everyone on our database today. Got a very positive response, including the following wonderful email from a Pet Shop.
"Congratulations on such a desperately needed, eye opening, educational web site. It is professional, to the point and information is easy to access.
We are a new pet shop on the central coast. We are a new age pet shop, we love all animals and our mission is to promote a healthy and happy life for all pets. We are trying to stop the impulse buying of pets at pet shops by definitely not selling puppies and kittens and changing attitudes one person at a time. We are involved in National and International animal welfare.
We have displayed your poster and have copied it to hand out. What else can we do to help your campaign? We would be proud to be named on your web site as supporters and when our website is up and running we would like to have your web site as a link. We really like your mission statement at the top of your website, can we display this in our shop, with your permission? If we do what name do we quote with it? Aanything else we can do please let us know."
We have put this Pet Shop on our links page under 'Pet Shops Who Care"

10th February 2008
Our 3 week advertising campaign in 25 Cumberland and Courier Community Newspapers started today. We're hoping it will lead to a good 'launch' of our site and all the new subscribers will help build our database.

5th February 2008
Well we've managed to get the www.deathrowpets.net web site up and running. Just hope that the message is clear enough. We're amazed how many people have no idea about the numbers of healthy dogs and cats killed in the pounds every year. So we will need to be strong on education and getting the message out there...