AVA Submission to NSW Rehoming Practices Review

The NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) sought feedback on the Draft Report Rehoming of Companion Animals in NSW as part of the Rehoming Practices Review. The Rehoming Practices Review aims to reduce unnecessary euthanasia of companion animals and to increase successful rehoming of companion animals. The Draft Report provided an overview of rehoming arrangements of companion animals in NSW, analysis of challenges, potential options for improvements, findings, and eight recommendations.

The AVA participated in two workshops and provided a submission on the draft report of rehoming of companion animals in NSW. The AVA provided comment on the draft report eight recommendations and raised concerns that the draft report has major gaps;

• in acknowledging the role of veterinary practices in rehoming processes,
• in recognising the support that local veterinary practices provide for the community, and
• the negative impacts on the sector by this lack of consideration.

Veterinary practices often are the first port of call for many people who have found stray dogs, cats or litters and other community requirements in respect to animal care and reliable information. The community has a perception and/or preference to bring stray dogs and cats to veterinary practices instead of direct to council rangers and pounds through the important and regulated role of veterinarians for animal health and welfare and public safety.

The issues with veterinary practices often being the entry point for strays in the rehoming process but without the support to do so, is clearly demonstrated in the results from the September 2022 AVA survey: stray and veterinary practices engagement with NSW councils/pounds.

The survey results include:

• 96% of respondents advise they receive stray dogs and cats at their veterinary practices
• 81% advised they don’t receive payment for looking after strays
• 92% advised the payment does not cover the practices full costs for housing and treating strays.

Respondents to the survey raised the following key issues that needs to be considered as part of the NSW Rehoming Practices Review:

• Most veterinary practices are carrying the financial burden for housing and treating stray dogs and cats before the council collects them, which can be for 2-3 days or if ever.
• Some councils are refusing to collect strays (especially stray cats) and deflecting the responsibility and cost onto vets. This problem is compounded by some councils directing members of the public (or rate paying constituents) to take stray to veterinary practices. Furthermore, several councils have told practices that once an animal is presented to the clinic they become their responsibility, including treating the animal for free.
• Many veterinary practices have reported issues of being unable to contact council after hours, on weekends, public holidays, or during the Christmas/New year break. This results in the practice having to house the animal until council can be contacted.
• Councils frequently take days to collect strays from veterinary practices. Furthermore, when councils take longer than 72hr to collect the animals it can place the veterinary practice in breach of section 63A of the Companion Animals Act 1998.
• Often councils are telling veterinary practices to release the stray back onto the streets. This request is contrary to the welfare of the animal and could be considered abandonment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. In addition, releasing strays back onto the streets goes against veterinarians good conscience and is in contradiction of the NSW Veterinary Oath to “practise veterinary science ethically and conscientiously for the benefit of animal welfare, animal and human health, and the community.”
• Because there is a community expectation for veterinary practices to take stray dogs and cats, when the veterinary practice declines accepting a stray and refers them onto council, frequently there’s harsh and damaging public backlash. This unjust backlash on the veterinary practice/veterinarian is general via direct abuse, derogatory comments on social media and in negative business reviews which can affect on business viability and the mental health of the staff.

The AVA called upon the NSW Government through this review to investigate solutions for the veterinary sector to be provided for the role that it naturally plays for stray animals within the overall responsibilities for animal health, welfare and public health and to address the key issues outlined above.

A copy of the AVA full submission is available here.

If you would like to discuss the AVA submission, the Rehoming Practices Review or the Draft Report, please contact AVA Senior Advocacy Officer Liz Gemes at liz.gemes@ava.com.au.