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Our MP Emma Hurst has secured an inquiry into the failed and broken pound system in NSW. The NSW pound system is in crisis. Overcrowding, poor conditions, thousands of healthy animals being killed. The current crisis in pounds impacts not only animals but animal organisations, local and small rescues and individuals who are working on the frontlines trying to rescue and rehome animals.
Emma Hurst will be the Chair of the Inquiry. Without the Animal Justice Party, this inquiry would not be happening. Political representation matters.
Why is this Inquiry Important?
The failing pound system has a significant impact on anyone who cares for animals, and obviously a big impact on animals who end up in pounds and shelters due to no fault of their own.
The Inquiry will be looking at:
- Welfare challenges
- Adequacy of laws, regulations and codes
- Overcrowding and long waiting lists
- factors influencing the number of animals ending up in pounds
- Challenges around the number of homeless cats
- The need for good quality pounds and shelters is more acute now than ever with the increasing number of homeless animals, especially cats, and kittens.
- Euthanasia rates and practices
The Government needs to hear these stories.
Why should I make a submission?
Parliamentary inquiries are your chance to have a say. Your chance to give animals a voice in parliament.
They can and do make a difference. The more submissions received the greater the impact for animals.
The Inquiry will be examining euthanasia rates, funding models, and provision of resources for facilities including staffing.
The inquiry will also examine the relationship between New South Wales pounds and animal rescue organisations and the laws currently governing pounds. and individuals.
It's a unique opportunity for citizens to have a direct line of communication with parliamentarians and decision-makers.
And it does make a difference.
How to make a submission
There are two ways to make a submission:
- Survey
- Written submission
Survey
The survey is comprehensive and provides many opportunities to provide a range of comments and feedback. We encourage individuals to provide their input via the survey.
Allow 10-20 minutes to complete the survey.
Written Submission
Submissions are an opportunity to provide more detailed information and we encourage organisations and local rescues to make a written submission.
Submissions can be made as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.
Be prepared to include the following details:
- Name,
- Address
- Contact
However, you can choose whether you would like your name and/or submission made public.
You can upload a document and supporting evidence.
- Click here to view the Terms of Reference
- Click here for more information on writing your submission
- Click here to make your submission
- Click here for the survey form
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 18th AUGUST 2023
Some Basic Rules
There are some simple things you can do to increase the chances of information from your
submission is included in the inquiry.
Dos:
● Talk about your own experiences and provide as much detail as possible;
● Use your own words;
● Include any evidence you have: date, times, attach photos, receipts and videos where relevant;
● Use spell check and proofread.
Don’ts:
● Swear;
● Rant: stick to the facts and your experiences;
● Talk about issues that are not covered by the Terms of Reference.
This is a NSW inquiry, so the information needs to be NSW focussed. Focus on your own experiences, here are some examples:
- I live in regional NSW and have been trying to get our local pound to provide proper bedding
- In my local pound they euthanise cats and kittens without giving them a proper chance to find a home
- The behavioural tests used are inappropriate and lead to healthy sociable dogs being euthanised
Time Line:
Submissions Close 18th August 2023
Need some help?
email us! [email protected]
What have past Parliamentary Inquiries about animals achieved?
2020 Inquiry into the use of animals in entertainment included a recommendation that the NSW Government consider applying limitations on the breeding of cetaceans. This recommendation led to new regulations that banned captive breeding and effectively ended the use of cetaceans for entertainment.
Shortly after this inquiry, the last remaining circus stopped using lions and monkeys.
2020 inquiry into animal cruelty included recommendations to increase in penalties for animal cruelty offences, these increases were subsequently implemented and now NSW has some of the highest penalties for cruelty in Australia. This inquiry also recommended an annual inquiry into RSPCA and AWL, which has now been established.
2020 Inquiry into the Health and well-being of Macropods, shone a light on the treatment of kangaroos across the state. The inquiry highlighted multiple cruelty and welfare issues and importantly called into question counting methodologies and overall compliance and transparency issues. We are working with the new Labor Government to implement this and other recommendations
2022 Inquiry into Animal Experimentation included a recommendation to fund alternatives to animal research the government subsequently announced funding to achieve this, as well as gain funding for groups who rescue animals from experimentation. The Inquiry Report also included recommendations to ban forced swim tests and forced smoking tests which our MP Emma Hurst is working on implementing