Hi Guys,
I know our own rescue has a number of Koolie's (and x's) at the moment looking for homes but I though I would also post these guys that the RSCPA have called Koolies. These guys are in differant shelters around VIC.
Thanks for looking
http://www.rspcavic.org/pet_adoption/ballarat_adoption.htm
http://www.rspcavic.org/pet_adoption/echuca_adoption.htm

Thanks RachelleBuck keep your eyes peeled and we will let them know we are here to support their efforts, and are here if the Koolies run out of time.

Thanks Tjukurpa, I am always having a look around at those sites so am always willing to post what I find. The red merle at the Echuca pound looks really nice, what you think a red merle male would look like and as the mum of two Koolie x BC I just had a soft spot for the guy at Ballarat as he has already been rehomed once only to end up dumped. Poor Bugger. Do you know how long the RSPCA will keep a dog up for adoption that has had all its work done?? Just wondering I guess!?!?!

These guys are also still looking for forever homes. The KooliexBC now has a big write up about him!!!

These guys have been rehomed

I seem to have missed this when it went up. My local branch keeps them I believe as long as they think they are still rehomable. I'm guessing other RSPCA's have same policy??

I think is it the same thing at these ones. Only problem is Koolies in Burwood at not really rehomable when they say they are for farms only!!

Do you know if they are making asumptions based on them being a 'working breed' or the dogs they have are actually particularly active?

Well if anything like the ones I have just picked up then they are just making assumptions. They are pritty lazy and not a problem at all. I doubt on of them would last on a farm anyway

Yes, mine too. He's only as active as I ask him to be. And he is more active having left the farm where he was bred as he was chained up most of the time there. They might refuse good potential owners if they require farms for them all??

Yep and good dogs are going to waste. Not ever working dog needs to be on a farm, and can make great city pets (speaking for expirience here, my Kelli was born on a farm to working parents and now lives in the city with me!!!) some people wear blinkers I think!!!

I had my Koolie team in town as well, and provided you are willing to exercise and entertain them all is ok. I hike a lot so they would have a hour & half walk/run/bike/swim in the morning and 1/2 hour in the arvo and on weekends they have a 10-15 km horse ride.

Plus during the day they had their toys, television, bones and so on to keep them entertained. I had three koolie pups together and had no vandalisim or boredom tantrums at all.

Even now they have a 2 acre house yard to run in they are still not destructive ... they still walk/run/bike morning and sometimes again at night to take the edge off!!! not to forget lots of swims as well.

So I agree that provided you was willing to spend time to be with/exercise your Koolies they are fine in town. I do tend to spend a LOT of time with my dogs.

I agree, when I am at home I have the dogs with me. Be it doing the washing (Kelli has worked out if you put the tennis ball in the basket I have to throw it to pen the next thing out), emptying out the dishwasher (my foster boy I have at the moment, Phoenix, tryed to get in the dishwasher last night, I don't think he had ever seen one so was going in for a closer look) or what ever we are doing. I walk the dogs every day (they run I walk)and train them every week. Plus we go play with the sheep every second weekend. Koolies are not all about running around and doing something, they just love being with you what ever you are doing. (our girl even come for a drive to the fish and chip shop each week) People see my parent and think they are crazy for having 5 dogs (all working breed) in a back yard in the city but we live for our dogs and and have pretty good dogs (we think perfect!!!) You just need to put in the time and effort and it does not matter where you live!!!!

(Getting off my soap box now!!! LOL)

Unfortunately the RSPCA can't afford to have blinkers or show ignorance about the needs of breeds as it cost the animal its life.

This issue is a hot bed currently, it has always been a problem but most rescuers work around the issues that the RSPCA have regarding allowing private rescues assist or release animals into our care.
I don't know who to get angry at, whether it is just individual shelters who give the rest a bad rep or the RSPCA policies.

Their latest policy states that they are to refuse adoptions by rescues.
It is as if they are saying that if the RSPCA can't home them then they are unfit to be rehome.

It is so distressing and I must admit that I have been talking loudly and long to anyone who will listen, be it radio, television, papers or this forum, look out, I’m venting.

What’s so surprising are the responses I have received which mirrors my own concerns as to whether the much respected and publicly supported RSPCA has gone off the rails.

They appear to have removed themselves from the local communities support except their financial support, refusing to foster animals from their shelter and refusing to work with rescues, and it appears have now set themselves up as jury and judge over all animals lives which are in their care.

I know from our own experiences that not all shelters run the same way, I work with several who notify us and appreciate working with us, we have worked with shelters that put the lives of the animals in their care before money and release them free, others have a no kill policy and will continue to care for those animal in their care until homes are found for them and there are never enough of those types of shelters.

The RSPCA is not the only shelter but it is big and does impact upon the wider community.
Their messages seem divided and confused, with some individual workers even CEOs turning a blind eye to allow a rescue to intervene in order to save a life instead of them taking it.

Is this what we aspire to in our civilized advanced social structure that proudly announces all these wonderful improvements in our animal care.
Rescues reduced to under the table operations, behind the directors back, to save lives which would otherwise be sacrificed, because from where I stand at the front lines this is the message I receive more times than I can stomach it.

We are here to protect, to care, to educate, not destroy!!

I know that a kill policy in most pounds and shelters under the current system is necessary due to the stress and risk of disease, but why are not fosters encourage instead of discouraged, why are the private rescues disregarded instead of worked with, for the animals benefit.

I am told the animal waste problem, (that is how they are referred to in some circles) describes the exec amounts of unwanted animals.

If breed clubs, canine controls, government policies, vets and individual breeders would insist on micro chipping a lot of situations would dissolve.

If the general public would notify authorities of breeders who refuse to micro-chip, and refuse to buy un micro-chipped animals this would force them to shape up or ship out.

I don’t think it is unreasonable to believe this is possible, the general public have shown an excellent response to the changes which have brought improvements to the care and well being of all animals.

Micro-chipping is used in all stock, so why the reluctance to use it in our pets, the cost is minimal and can be easily cover in the purchase price.

But it must be a united effort or yes, it will fail.
Discussion is first, then petitions, then lobbying the government, then awareness programs and the deed is put into play.

I know there are mixed feelings and other opinions, and I'm not dictating.

But the buck has got to stop where it started, with us, who first choose to bring pups into the world, if we elect to remain the second contact for life on a micro-chip, that animal will never see the inside of a shelter.
We are in fact saying we acknowledge our responsibilities go beyond just putting two animals together and raising healthy off spring.

I do not wish to tell anyone how to run their operations, and no I don't expect farmers who breed cows to follow the lives of every cow they have bred or horse or any other stock, but is that what the dog is, stock, another commodity to sell, barter or swap.

It seems that our society is divided, those who would turn all animals into shrines to be genuflected before or those to which the animal is a source of profit to be bred, sold and given no more thought once they leave their ownership.
There are those who take the middle road and find the balance but I can tell you they are woefully out numbered.

Mostly I see apathy, the problem is not of my making, it’s too big, or someone else will fix it.

Don’t let this post just drift into the archives, I have so much faith in people power, tell me how we can, change, stop or improve our pounds, shelters and breeder responsability issues.

The Koolie Club encourages micro-chipping and amends their registration to show when a Koolie has been Micro-chipped or DNA.

Koolie rescues are micro-chipped and we remain the second contact for life, we adopt the same procedure with Tjukurpa generation bred Koolies.
Those members who use DNA choose to use micro-chipping to ensure that their DNA can be correctly identified.

Let me know where we can start a partition on the internet, who to send it to in local, state and federal governments, let’s put our energies behind a movement that will change for ever the way we as a society view our animals, let’s get the media involved, can anyone help here.

There is so much we can all do, or we can read this post have our opinion and move on.
There is always that choice, but you all know where I stand, firmly, out there getting my butt kicked, dodging bullets, creating controversy, and always moving forwards to waking up those who are asleep, welcoming those who choose to be motivated, educating those who want to know and ignoring those who wish to remain on the darkside.

Thank you Tjukurpa. You say what I feel but am unable to say. My family has, for so many years supported the RSPCA, be it going to the million paws walk, donations or buying their items (ie xmas cards that are bloody expensive) just becuase we are thinking we are helping the animals in need. To think we have spent all this money and to feel we have been lied to for all these years. Who made the RSPCA the be all to end all. To have to lie to get two Koolies out of the RSPCA which have nothing wrong with them and will be rehomed (although it could take time) makes me bloody sick. These two guys where surrended as their owner could no longer care for them, but what about the strays that could be sent home if for a microchip. While at the RSPCA I saw a great thing, a teenage girl (in tears) and her father come in to get their dog that had gotten out, it was chipped, they were called and they took their dog home with them (after being slogged a release fee of coarse!!!!) My council makes it law that you must chip your dog to register them, thats get for us that register our dogs, what about those that don't. I stongly believe in chipping and am also the second contact for the 6 puppies we breed, it cost $30.00 per dog and the cost was covered when we sold them. I think that they general public needs to say no to puppies and dogs not chipped and hopefully that will put pressure back on the breeder and sellers. But as for who to contact, I am not sure who would listen let along care. They are only animals after all, they don't vote!!!!
(I hope my rant made some sort of sense!!!)

While not indicating any one particular RSPCA shelter, as I do not wish to inflame or get good people in trouble that have only put the well being of the animal before their jobs, I do not wish to be responsible for anyone loosing their job.

It just gets so frustrating and if not for caring people who will take a chance, many more animals would have been destroyed.

So to all the quiet, silent workers like the Bali dog lady(want to know more on that story then click onto pet talk radio)I salute you all pray things will improve and that more will happen at Government levels but it has to start here with a small few, which could grow into an army.

I know a lot wish I would be quiet and silent, but I guess mamma give me big mouth for a reason after all.

It is ok you speak for many with what you say. Besides if we all shut up and were quite it would be boring and nothing would ever change!!!

Hi All

This is an issue that must be kept alive. We must take every opportunity to spread the word. We had a large gathering of Rotary people here last night. I was telling them the stories of Dottie, Monte, Bessie, Taddy, Phoeby, Apricot, Becky and MoJo, all rescues that we have had, and almost without exception (including a local vet) they knew nothing about rescues for dogs other than the RSPCA or the Blue Cross. The do now!!!

We must educate as many people as we can. Not ram it down their throats but constantly let this information out. I am going to ask our Rotary meeting organiser if I can be the guest speaker on the subject at an upcomming meeting on this subject. It is just a little bit but a start none the less.

I will talk to Tj and get some more background before I stand in front of 70 people and shoot my mouth off.

Kind regards

Lockie

I'm sure they will hang off every word as I have seen your Koolies do.
Please let us know how your talk is recieved, it would be wonderful it we did make a difference.

I have found a terrific site full of petitions for everthing under the sun, I am trying to get a link so everyone can have a look, it takes so little to do so much.

I just need to find out from those on the forum what happens to the petition once they reach their limit, are they sent to someone or somewhere and so forth.

Tjkurpa,

I have read with great intrest the comments on the RSPCA and animal mangerment, a couple of things that need to be pointed out:
1: RSPCA in each state operates under their own banner, they are not controlled by any one body even tho their is a RSPCA Headquarters in name only Australia wide. Each state is funded differntly and is governed by the legislation of their own state.
2: Some Refuges interstate (not Qld) operate under their own guide line.

3: Charges for release and other animal expenses are passed onto the public, because if they did not they would have to close.

4: Under new legislation the RSPCA has a duty of care (Qld) to the people that aquire dogs(animals) from them, they no longer can let them go to
the public with any defects eg. mental, physical, dog aggressive or they breech their Duty of Care and become liable,

5: I have rescued many an animal and have been left in tears at the end result (big kennel in the sky)so please dont condem them all , get a voulnteers job their for a few days and see how it operates,
6: how do I know, I was an inspector for 19 (Qld)years and my admiration for most staff who have to deal with the death and dying of animals every day is shocking,that couple with the people that dump them on a refuge and hassle the staff into the bargin is intolerable and yes I know many of their operating procedures are far from perfect but we are working on it (Qld)
7: Finally Qld RSPCA is not funded by the Goverment but by charity, the Qld Goverment contributes some money but it does not even cover the food expenses of the main Brisbane Refuge for one year,
if I can anwser or find any anwser for you please ask and I will see what I can do,
MalH

Thanks for your reply demal4.
what information can you give us in regards to the VIC RSPCA? That is the branch that we have been dealing with I understand that they would be liable for rehoming a pet with an issue, be it health, behaviour etc. And that they need to pass on costs to the general public where they can to cover their costs. Tjukurpa has been dealing with them as part of Koolie Rescue to save the life of two fit and healthy koolie that had passed all tests and where to be rehomed, only they were there too long and where going to be PTS but they were still not willing to hand them over to a "rescue". a member of the general public had to rehome, no rescue's aloud.

l dont post much. l prefer to read others comments. l recently contacted the RSPCA about a dog and they told me that they dont like to rehome to rescues because they sold a dog to a rescue for $190 . The rescue then resold the dog for over $300. l can see their reasoning for not selling to rescues though l doubt many would do this.

Sorry it's a long one.

Hi deml4

It sounds like Qld is way ahead on the other states; we mostly work with Nsw and Vic, Vic being my home town.

I understand the pressure and have volunteered with both my local pound and RSPCA shelter, it is one of the many reasons I got into private rescue.

Not because I thought I could do the job better, but because I believed that I would be more effective and I feel I am.
I may only rescue one breed, but I have done it successfully with help, and feel many breed clubs could do it as well, not just dogs, most animals are represented by a group or club, it would be no more a burden for them as it has been for me to run a rescue for their chosen breed.

I am an ordinary person and as such believe that like myself the majority of the general public assume because it is called the RSPCA that you are all under that one banner, it is not generally known that each state manages their own, nor that some receive government funding while others must rely on the community.

For such a large scale issue as animal control and care you'd think that it would be under federal care, but our schools are not so why should this be any different.

I appreciate that these shelters and all shelters have an obligation of care to the public, and they have that same obligation to the animals in their care, but how can you perform that task without first understanding your charges.

I have lost count of the time I have been called to a shelter due to a koolie being at risk only to discover the mental state they believe the animal to be in is a direct result to its environment and surrounding suffering, that once removed and placed in a larger holding pen possibly placed with more confident animals, possibly exercised and for short intervals removed from the place (all by community volunteers) the change is remarkable, the koolie adapts and learns to tolerate its situation.

I know and understand, funds are limited, time is valuable, and employees are in short supply, not volunteers.

But this is all the more reason why fostering and private rescue should be encouraged, not discouraged as I have seen and heard of too many times to count.

We all know there are problems with the current situation, but is it enough to say we are trying, I don't want to get up your nose or come across as a goody goody preaching pain that has the arrogant attitude that I could do it all better.

I only have what I have, land on which to home and care for rescued Koolies, where they can be safe, housed, fed and away from harm until their perfect permanent home is found, I don't work on government funding either, and I’m not flush but any means, so we have that in common.

It does get hard hitting your head against an immovable object, it does wear you down, dishearten you, harden you, desensitize you, like a war zone.

That's why we need more new faces, more new commitment, and more people power, why must I accept that trying is all these animals will get.

If I am silent, then who will give the animals voice?

Maybe I am off my trolley, but maybe I believe in humanity, god what have we got if we don't.

We know of the good work, though we always need to be reminded of it because it gets hard to see passed all the death.

I just want to be allowed to continue rescuing Koolies; I don't want to have to fight against people who have placed themselves in a position of care only to discover they don't care, they don't know, that it's about money, and politics.

I don't know about politics, I just know that I make a difference, and that every single person can make a difference every day, by reading this thread, by telling me who to talk to and talk to and talk to, which door to bang on, may be you can tell demel4.

I know you made a difference demel4 you wouldn't have stayed as long as you did if you hadn't, and I am not attacking any one shelter or institute, they can all do with an upgrade on all levels, just trying to create a solution to the same problem.

Mitchell
as deel4 said not all shelters are to be judged by the performance of the few, the same with rescues, humans are opportunist, which is why it is wise to do background checks and get to know who your dealing with in any situation, be is public service, private sector it pays to be informed.

Koolie rescue is supported by the Koolie Club of Australia, we receive no funding and most funding comes from my pocket and members like me, only members of the Koolie Club in Vic, Nsw and Qld volunteer for the rescues in those states and we home for free, fully inoculated, micro-chipped, desexed, and on flea/worm programs, a lot of our herding workshop and sports activities hosted by the club now help support the rescue

If we can not only do it but do it well why can’t the government of each state make it mandatory for every club to support their own rescue, with a little education and guidance it would work, we are proof that for 6 years we have found solutions to every hurdle we have come up against.

We aren't making money from rescue, so why do some shelters still refuse to work with us, we breed koolies, we work koolies, we compete koolies, koolie are our lives, if we don't know koolies, how can an impersonal shelter know them better, place them in better homes, they can't, we even have a list of people waiting for rescues.

I have already given my opinion on how the dumping of animals on already stressed and ill funded establishments like council pounds and shelters can be vastly reduced if not stopped by creating a breeder reasonability education program and making it mandatory for all breeders to remain the second contact for life.

The buck stops where it began, with us the breeders.

If they were to have a policy of passing dogs on to rescue groups they'd have to have some way or accrediting them, I guess. I think it might be worth their while to do it. Libby

There are always ways, when people genuinly wish to improve the situation.
I agree Libby how hard could it be to have your sort of system put in place, there would be no cost or extra time involved, so simple and then get on with the real job, saving lives.
Yet it doesn't happy. why!