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I had a conversation today that has enlightened me. I couldn’t understand why so many people insist on having litters of puppies, and think that it’s completely acceptable. It makes me angry, and frustrated, and sad. But I have now realised that people may not understand what exactly a backyard breeder is. A backyard breeder is essentially anyone who is deliberately breeding animals and is not a registered breeder. A registered breeder is usually someone passionate about a particular breed, and knows everything about them, their care, their standards for show, and networks with others interested in the breed. Obviously there are exceptions, but so far every registered breeder I’ve met is utterly fanatical about ensuring the health and welfare of their animals, and ensure puppies go to the best homes. A backyard breeder is someone who does not have their dogs checked or tested before breeding them; it is worth noting there are some backyard breeders out there who think that because their dog is a purebred, and have papers, that they aren’t backyard breeders. Irresponsible breeding is the same regardless of whether it is with purebred or mixed breed dogs. Others think they aren’t backyard breeders because they’re not doing it for money; they just want little Sparky to have a couple of litters, because puppies are soooo cute. Other reasons I’ve heard include that they wanted the kids to have some great memories, and they will totally find great homes for them. Or that the parents are great hunters, or so attractive, and their excellent heredity will get them good homes. I would like to be able to say they are fooling only themselves. But unfortunately I think they’re fooling some of us as well. I believe… Read More »Are you a backyard breeder?

CQ Pet Rescue charge an adoption fee for our animals, which is $365 for dogs and $165 for cats.  Sometimes people find it hard to understand why there is an adoption fee; the most common arguments being ‘it’s just an animal from the pound’, ‘it’s not like it’s a purebred’, or ‘isn’t the most important thing that I’m giving an animal a home?’. There are some very good reasons why CQPR have an adoption fee, and it is actually very modest when you review the costs we incur to save each animal and get it ready to be rehomed. All CQPR pets are from the euthanasia lists at the pounds. Very very few have received any kind of vet work in their lives. These pets are fostered in homes in the communities, with families who have pets. When CQ Pet Rescue sign these animals out of the pound, CQPR take on the responsibility for their vet care and continued good health, to keep them safe and the animals and children in foster homes safe. CQ Pet Rescue therefore have them desexed, microchipped, start them on their vaccination program, have them tested for heart worm, and then vaccinated for it. We also give them regular flea and worming treatment. This is usually in the range of $600-$700 just to start for dogs (don’t forget, their adoption fee is $350) and $400-$500 for cats (adoption fee $150). Obviously the longer they are in care, they receive continuous flea and worming, more money, and if they fall ill or are injured, then we pay for that too, more money. Abused, starved? Special food required. More money. Litter of pups come in with a mum that can’t feed them milk? Formula. More money. The… Read More »Why do I need to pay an adoption fee?

CQ Pet Rescue is the only animal rescue organisation in the Central Highlands. We are staffed entirely by volunteers and are passionate about our work. What we do After reaching their legal time limit, CQ Pet Rescue Inc. has a Memorandum of Understanding with the CHRC Animal Management team to foster and re-home animals from the local pound. The Animal Management team are legally obligated to give an animal 72 hours for its owners to collect it. Before CQ Pet Rescue was created, after the time limit had been reached, it was standard practice for unclaimed animals to be put to sleep. With CQ Pet Rescue in operation, we are now notified when animals are in the pound so that we can try to find space with a foster carer if they are unclaimed. As long as they are not deemed dangerous, and we have foster carers available, we can take them from the pound and re-home them. Once these animals are in our care, we book them into the vet on the same day or within the next day. They are vaccinated, microchipped, and wormed. If they are six months or older, it is standard practice for us to desex them. As per our adoption agreement, all animals re-homed through CQ Pet Rescue MUST be desexed. We fundraise a lot to offset the cost of our vet bills. Our adoption fees only cover some of our expenses, and our vet fees are discounted. If a member of the public gets a free puppy or kitten and then receives the same level of vet care administered that we have made mandatory for all of our foster animals, it will cost them a lot more than what it would cost them… Read More »What Does CQ Pet Rescue Inc. Do?