❓ Question on Notice regarding the sourcing of dogs in Western Australia, specifically relating to pet shops and puppy farms. The response highlights a lack of specific data for WA and relies on national surveys.
AnsweredQoN 3435Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Stop Puppy Farming Consultation being held by the department, and ask: (a) How many pet shops are currently in Western Australia; (b) How many pet shops in Western Australia source their dogs from puppy farms; and (c) Can you please provide a breakdown of what percentage of dogs in Western Australia are acquired from: (i) Pet shops; (ii) Puppy farms; (iii) Rescue shelters / organisations ; (iv) Registered breeders located in Western Austalia; (v) Registered breeders located in other States; (vi) Interstate, other than from a registered breeder; (vii) Gumtree/facebook marketplace or other trading websites; and (viii) Other sources (please list the source and percentage)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 August 2018
Responded by
Minister for Local Government
Response time
2 days
(a) Approximately 67 (including the large retailers such as Better Pets N Gardens, City Farmers, Pet Barn and Pet Stock) and approximately 15 sell dogs.
(b) It is unknown how many pet shops source dogs from ‘puppy farms’.
(c)(i)–(viii) Little data exists on where people source their dogs in Australia. There is no data that is specific to Western Australia.
A survey undertaken by Animal Medicines Australia in 2016 of 2000 pet owners found the following:
Breeder: 36%
Friend/Neighbor: 17%
Animal shelter: 16%
Pet shop: 14%
Inherited: 3%
Found/stray: 2%
Vet: 1%
Other: 10%
(‘Pet Ownership in Australia 2016’ Animal Medicines Australia)
Based on this study, the Australian National Kennel Council has approximated that 15% of dogs are sourced from registered pedigree breeders.
A University of Adelaide study undertaken in 2014 found that new dog owners sourced their puppies from:
Breeder: 44%
Online: 29%
Family/ friends: 8%
Pet shop: 5%
(b) It is unknown how many pet shops source dogs from ‘puppy farms’.
(c)(i)–(viii) Little data exists on where people source their dogs in Australia. There is no data that is specific to Western Australia.
A survey undertaken by Animal Medicines Australia in 2016 of 2000 pet owners found the following:
Breeder: 36%
Friend/Neighbor: 17%
Animal shelter: 16%
Pet shop: 14%
Inherited: 3%
Found/stray: 2%
Vet: 1%
Other: 10%
(‘Pet Ownership in Australia 2016’ Animal Medicines Australia)
Based on this study, the Australian National Kennel Council has approximated that 15% of dogs are sourced from registered pedigree breeders.
A University of Adelaide study undertaken in 2014 found that new dog owners sourced their puppies from:
Breeder: 44%
Online: 29%
Family/ friends: 8%
Pet shop: 5%
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