There are times when you may want a second opinion, or your veterinarian refers your pet to another veterinarian.
In such cases, the second veterinarian will require the information from your pet’s records from your usual vet.
Your pet's case histories and veterinary records can be transferred vet-to-vet. This is to ensure compliance with state regulations around veterinary records. The ownership of the records remain with the initial veterinarian who recorded these, and depending on state jurisdiction they are required to keep these records for a prescribed period of time. The second opinion or referral veterinarian receives a copy of the records to ensure that they have the complete health picture for your pet and is required to return any actual records to the first veterinarian.
If you think your animal has experiences an adverse reactions to a medication or animal health product, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian. Please note the date, time and any signs and symptoms that you observed.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are responsible for the registration of drugs. They have a reporting page on their website for adverse reactions: http://apvma.gov.au/node/311 which is available to both veterinarians as well as the general public. Your veterinarian would be in the best position to describe the clinical signs and symptoms however you are free to also lodge the report if you so wish.
The entry of companion animals into Australia is regulated by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The conditions imposed on companion animals entering Australia are designed to manage biosecurity risks. Australia is free of many diseases that affect animals of other countries due to our strict quarantine laws as many of our unique flora and fauna do not have natural immunity to these diseases. Healthy animals may be carriers of diseases that threaten our ecosystem and wipe out entire species.
You can visit the Bring cats and dogs (and other pets) to Australia information page on the importing requirements of pets into Australia. You can use their online calculator for an estimation on approximately how long processing will take and find a step-by-step guide to walk you through all the preparations and documentations required.
The AVA has provided several media releases on the dangers or some festive foods to our animals.
You should always consult your veterinarian when in doubt. Some foods may be lethal to some species, while others may cause serious discomfort or pain.
For dogs these are some of the foods to avoid:
There is also evidence that the artificial sweetener Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Xylitol is present in some overseas brands of peanut butter and also in many human products such as sugar-free lollies. As peanut butter in particular is a popular treat for many dogs, it may be necessary to pay attention to any brands that may contain this ingredient. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand are the government agency and their Food enforcement contacts in each state may advise on brands to be avoided.
A veterinarian can only legally prescribe prescription drugs for animals that are under their care. They need to have examined your animal, made a diagnosis and determined what drug and how much and how often that the drug is required.
Most veterinarians have in house pharmacies and can dispense the medication for you on the spot, giving you the convenience of immediate access to the medication and a reassurance that you have received the correct medication. Veterinarians receive their drugs from legal, trustworthy sources and there is an accountability trail for the particular drug that can be traced back to a company or even to a batch number should anything go wrong.
Some owners may decide that they would like to purchase their pet’s medication online. In this case you will need to request that your veterinarian writes a script for you. You will be charged a prescription fee to prepare the script, which includes the veterinarian accessing records, determining whether the script is appropriate and the record keeping that is required. You will need to find an online pharmacy which is based in Australia and trustworthy. Purchasing prescription drugs from overseas is illegal. Once you have made the order, you will need to post this script to the online pharmacy, just like the chemists you visit, they cannot dispense medications without first receiving the actual script.
If your animal requires ongoing medication, depending on the medication your pet is on and your animal’s condition your veterinarian may require you to bring your pet in to be re-examine. This is so the vet can assess whether the drug and dosage are still appropriate; that the medication is doing what it should be and that there are no unintended side-effects. Some medications require ongoing blood tests to check their levels, and/or their effects on the body’s metabolism. This re-examination will be required before the veterinarian will be able to issue you with a repeat prescription.
Remember a veterinarian cannot legally write a script for an animal which is not under their continuing care.
Regulation of prescription drugs are covered under the Poisons and Therapeutics Goods legislation in your state and rules differ in each state.
The regulating body in Australia for veterinary medicines is the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
The APVMA issued a media release in 2010 to educate consumers about the legal issues of importing medications via mail. Australian authorities do not have powers to regulate or prosecute overseas suppliers. There is no protection for Australian consumers if something goes wrong with the drugs.
It is worthy to note also that it is illegal for veterinary medicines to be purchased under the human PBS Schemes, as that is intended purely for human medicine use. Veterinary medicines may contain similar compounds but may be in different doses to the human version and therefore not intended for cross-usage.
A serum antibody titre test will demonstrate the levels of antibody to a particular virus or bacteria, in a dog, at a particular time. Titre tests cannot guarantee immunity against disease, or that the patient won’t shed infectious virus / bacteria. However, a sufficiently high titre is generally able to reflect strong immunity for some diseases. Titre testing is also limited to only one part of the immune system (antibodies, which is part of humoral immunity) and does not give an indication on other immune system parts such as cell-mediated immunity or mucosal immunity. Veterinarians may recommend a titre test, as a means to suggest immunity against some diseases, and in some cases a sufficient result from a titre test may indicate that revaccination of a patient may not be immediately necessary and could be postponed into the future.
Titre tests are useful to demonstrate antibody levels, which if sufficiently elevated, may correlate with a strong likelihood of protection against some diseases. The ability to associate a titre level with likely protection against disease depends on the pathogen (bacteria or virus) and on the patient’s risk for disease. Your veterinarian can recommend when a titre test may be indicated.
There is scientific evidence that the majority of adult dogs in low-risk environments will be protected against disease for three years with core vaccines.
However, as not all dogs are guaranteed protection, boarding kennels may require recent (annual) re-vaccination of animals prior to entry, to safeguard against potential disease spread, for which they may be liable.
Outbreaks of canine parvovirus occur Australia wide, including areas of all capital cities and for this reason, pet owners should consult with their veterinarian as to whether their pet is in a low risk environment.
For cats there is not sufficient evidence that immunity following vaccination is long-lasting, particularly for feline herpesvirus. Furthermore outbreaks of feline panleukopenia appear to have re-emerged in several capital cities and other areas in recent years. For this reason, cats going into boarding should receive an annual booster vaccination.
If a cat or dog is contraindicated for vaccination due to medical reasons (for example an underlying autoimmune disease or severe vaccination reaction, both of which are very rare but may occur) then your veterinarian is the best person to provide specific advise around boarding, and risk of disease.
Canine cough is a highly infectious respiratory infection among dogs, which is why it is important to keep a dog up to date with their vaccinations.
The cough is caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses. Of these, only the bacterial component is a potential concern in terms of transmission to humans, but this is highly unlikely. There have been very few reports of transmission of the bacteria to humans, and these were almost always in people with severely compromised immune systems.
As with any handling of animals however, we always advise hand washing and normal hygiene practices are used, especially if the animal is currently unwell.
There may be many reasons that a member of the community may have difficulties in communicating and may require extra support when visiting a vet.
The Australian Government has a number of resources for those requiring extra support.
The National Relay Service (NRS)
People with communication difficulties (hearing and speech impairments) can use the National Relay Service , a free telephone-based communication service (Australian Government initiative funded by telecommunications companies).
Many NRS users also utilise TTY service (telephone typewriter) which is a special texting telephone for those who cannot use their voice, or who cannot hear.
There are also AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) interpretation services for those who primarily communicate in AUSLAN: http://www.auslanservices.com/
Translation and Interpretation Services
People whose first language is not English and require foreign language support can use Translation and Interpretation Services (TIS) who use NAATI-accredited translators (text) and interpreters (speech) in 160 languages. They also have real-time and on-site services available.
Vision impairment Support
The Australian Braille Authority have braille transcription services for those who require print material to be transcribed in Braille. Vision Australia also have print accessibility services available.
Veterinarians who are in clinical practice are required to be registered by their respective state veterinary boards.
The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council provides an online directory for all registered veterinarians on their website: www.avbc.asn.au and also list any specialist qualifications a veterinarian has acquired.
Specialist qualifications are obtained through further study and assessment by the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists who have stringent requirements for such a title.
There are some great benefits to using a veterinarian who is a member of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). AVA members commit to a Code of Professional Conduct. The AVA also provides continuing education programs which members can take advantage of to keep up to date on the latest techniques and research, which is important for your pet’s health and treatment.
The AVA offers a community for veterinarians to network and to share ideas about breakthrough treatments or alternative options, and vets can use this information to better treat pets.
You can read more about what the AVA does in our FAQ What does the AVA actually do?
Sometimes you might see your vet's name with some letters behind it.
These are usually qualifications or accolades that your vet has worked very hard to obtain. Some common ones are:
Some vets may also have attained post-graduate degrees such as Masters level or PhD level qualifications and these may also be displayed accordingly.
Then there are post-nominals that are issued by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists for further studies on a particular area validated by passing examinations to become more qualified in such areas:
There are also a number of members who have Commonwealth Honours and Awards due to their extensive involvement in the community or to scientific advancement or to the service of the country.
A formal complaint against a veterinarian should only made when malpractice, negligence or a breach of the standards of practice is believed to have occurred.
If you are unhappy about the service you have been provided, you should speak directly to your veterinarian or put your concerns in writing to the practice manager. This gives the veterinarian the courtesy of being able to respond directly to your complaint.
The overwhelming majority of veterinarians are passionate about their role and take very seriously the care provided to their clients and their animals..
If you believe your complaint involves serious misconduct or negligence and have put your complaint in writing, and your vet fails to respond or you are dissatisfied with the response provided, you may then choose to escalate your complaint further by forwarding your complaint in writing to the vet board in your state*. Each vet board will have their own complaints handling process which you can find on their website.
The AVA is member-based professional association and does not have a regulatory role in the profession, and we do not have the facility to process complaints.
If you are unhappy with the service experience or your vet's manner then changing practices rather than a formal complaint may be a more appropriate course of action.
Medical records and diagnostic images remain the property of the veterinarian or practice, not the client, and must be retained for legal reasons.
If you are changing veterinary practices, then you can ask for a vet-to-vet transfer of a copy of your pet’s veterinary history and the veterinarian is obliged to do so with your consent. The actual records still remain the property of the first clinic, however the history that they provide will ensure for the correct ongoing management of the pet's health.
If you require records for a pet insurance claim, the veterinarian can send the records directly to the insurer with your consent.
Unlike human medicine, veterinarians do not have obligation to pass veterinary case histories onto clients or owners (they can at their discretion and if their State laws allow).
These rules are state-specific and are determined by the Veterinary Boards in each state and come under their jurisdiction.
Unlike human medicine, there is no "medicare" for vets and pets, there is no government subsidy that can buffer the cost of treatment. Because there is no government support for pet care, it might seem that you are paying a lot for a pet's treatment.
When you compare veterinary fees with other professional services fees the prices are not excessive in general. The Trade Practices Act prevents veterinarians from colluding on fees and as such there is no recommended schedule of fees for a veterinarian. Vets may set their own fees which take into account:
The veterinarian is also not just the pet's GP, but also their surgeon, dentist, radiologist, dermatologist, psychologist etc, as well.
If you have questions about why your vet is charging a particular amount, ask your vet for a breakdown of costs. You can put your concerns in writing courteously to the practice manager or clinic owner.
If you feel your vet is unfairly charging you, and you are dissatisfied with their explanation, then put your complaint in writing to the Department of Fair Trading (or equivalent body) in your state. Alternatively, change practices.
The AVA does not have jurisdiction over vet practices and veterinarians as the vets are registered by state jurisdictions. We cannot assist with mediation or complaints against vets on pricing.
There are times when you may want a second opinion, or your veterinarian refers your pet to another veterinarian.
In such cases, the second veterinarian will require the information from your pet’s records from your usual vet.
Your pet's case histories and veterinary records can be transferred vet-to-vet. This is to ensure compliance with state regulations around veterinary records. The ownership of the records remain with the initial veterinarian who recorded these, and depending on state jurisdiction they are required to keep these records for a prescribed period of time. The second opinion or referral veterinarian receives a copy of the records to ensure that they have the complete health picture for your pet and is required to return any actual records to the first veterinarian.
It’s very difficult for a veterinarian to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan if they haven’t seen and examined the animal themselves. Veterinarians can pick up signs and symptoms that are not immediately obvious or visible to you. An examination of your pet will let them make a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.
It is also unethical and illegal to prescribe prescription medication for an animal that hasn’t been physically examined by a veterinarian.
A veterinarian can only legally prescribe prescription drugs for animals that are under their care. They need to have examined your animal, made a diagnosis and determined what drug and how much and how often that the drug is required.
Most veterinarians have in house pharmacies and can dispense the medication for you on the spot, giving you the convenience of immediate access to the medication and a reassurance that you have received the correct medication. Veterinarians receive their drugs from legal, trustworthy sources and there is an accountability trail for the particular drug that can be traced back to a company or even to a batch number should anything go wrong.
Some owners may decide that they would like to purchase their pet’s medication online. In this case you will need to request that your veterinarian writes a script for you. You will be charged a prescription fee to prepare the script, which includes the veterinarian accessing records, determining whether the script is appropriate and the record keeping that is required. You will need to find an online pharmacy which is based in Australia and trustworthy. Purchasing prescription drugs from overseas is illegal. Once you have made the order, you will need to post this script to the online pharmacy, just like the chemists you visit, they cannot dispense medications without first receiving the actual script.
If your animal requires ongoing medication, depending on the medication your pet is on and your animal’s condition your veterinarian may require you to bring your pet in to be re-examine. This is so the vet can assess whether the drug and dosage are still appropriate; that the medication is doing what it should be and that there are no unintended side-effects. Some medications require ongoing blood tests to check their levels, and/or their effects on the body’s metabolism. This re-examination will be required before the veterinarian will be able to issue you with a repeat prescription.
Remember a veterinarian cannot legally write a script for an animal which is not under their continuing care.
Regulation of prescription drugs are covered under the Poisons and Therapeutics Goods legislation in your state and rules differ in each state.
The regulating body in Australia for veterinary medicines is the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
The APVMA issued a media release in 2010 to educate consumers about the legal issues of importing medications via mail. Australian authorities do not have powers to regulate or prosecute overseas suppliers. There is no protection for Australian consumers if something goes wrong with the drugs.
It is worthy to note also that it is illegal for veterinary medicines to be purchased under the human PBS Schemes, as that is intended purely for human medicine use. Veterinary medicines may contain similar compounds but may be in different doses to the human version and therefore not intended for cross-usage.
Anti-competition laws in Australia mean that veterinarians are not allowed to collude on the fees that they charge. Each veterinarian sets their fees based on the treatment being given as well as the expertise available and the cost of supplying the service. These prices cover all of the expenses that keep the veterinary practice running, such as salaries, rent, overheads and equipment. Expenses can vary widely from location to location.
There is no recommended schedule of fees that a veterinarian can charge.
Veterinary practices are private businesses that provide a service in the community, and costs such as drugs, equipment, staff and time need to be covered to ensure that the clinic is able to sustain services to the community. Private veterinary practices need to charge for their services and are not obligated to treat your animal for free.
In some cases, larger animal charities such as the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League may have some provision for those in genuine need and situations where an animal's welfare is at stake.
There are several charities open and run by veterinarians and vet nurses that contribute on their own time to providing veterinary care for companion animals that accompany homeless folk. These organisations rely on donations from the public to cover the costs of medicines, equipment and overheads incurred in these operations. Some of these charities are:
Veterinary practices are very busy places and there may be reasons why an appointment may run later than planned.
Apart from general health check and consulting services for pets, a veterinary clinic may also be a hospital and emergency department rolled into one.
Veterinarians may be required to shuffle caseloads depending on urgency and the welfare or suffering of the animal admitted. Unforeseen complications or conditions may mean longer than expected consult times.
If you are concerned about your appointment being delayed, you can ring ahead and ask the receptionist if appointments are running to schedule, before turning up at the vet clinic, to minimise delays.
It is wonderful to hear the good stories from time to time. Vets work very hard in their profession and commendation is always an encouragement to them to continue doing the things they do well.
There are several awards that we can suggest to a happy client.
Small Business awards in your community are one way of showing your appreciation for the effort that your vet puts into their practice, especially for veterinarians who own their own practice. Some examples include:
Also there are awards for excellence in customer service too:
If your vet is an outstanding member of the community and has made significant contributions to the wider community you may even consider nominating them for an Australian honour via the Governor-General's Office: www.gg.gov.au
All veterinarians appreciate a simple thank-you and positive feedback when you think they have done a good job!
Unlike human medicine, there is no "medicare" for vets and pets, there is no government subsidy that can buffer the cost of treatment. Because there is no government support for pet care, it might seem that you are paying a lot for a pet's treatment.
When you compare veterinary fees with other professional services fees the prices are not excessive in general. The Trade Practices Act prevents veterinarians from colluding on fees and as such there is no recommended schedule of fees for a veterinarian. Vets may set their own fees which take into account:
The veterinarian is also not just the pet's GP, but also their surgeon, dentist, radiologist, dermatologist, psychologist etc, as well. Veterinarians do not profit from mark-ups for pharmaceuticals.
If you have questions about why your vet is charging a particular amount, ask your vet for a breakdown of costs. You can put your concerns in writing courteously to the practice manager or clinic owner.
If you feel your vet is unfairly charging you, and you are dissatisfied with their explanation, then put your complaint in writing to the Department of Fair Trading (or equivalent body) in your state. Alternatively, change practices.
The AVA does not have jurisdiction over vet practices and veterinarians as the vets are registered by state jurisdictions. We cannot assist with mediation or complaints against vets on pricing.
The loss of a pet is always very sad, and payment is often the very last thing one wants to talk about.
The overwhelming majority of veterinarians work very hard to provide the best in veterinary care to the animal, and even with the best of intentions, things go wrong from time to time and in many cases it is outside of the control of the veterinarian or clinic staff. Most vets (and their nurses) feel the loss of a pet on their watch very deeply and take these to heart.
In working to save an animal's life, in many cases the vet still has to expend their time, expertise, drugs, equipment and require the assistance of their nurses, and the cost of these are still incurred whatever the final outcome.
Many vaccines legally need to be prescribed by a veterinarian. Vaccinations contain biological material which must be stored in appropriate conditions and given correctly to be effective. Some vaccines also have the potential for serious consequences from accidental needle stick injury to the person injecting the vaccine.
While there are a few small animal vaccines that are not “prescription only” and can be obtained and given by the owner the AVA recommends that all vaccinations should be administered by a veterinarian because of the veterinary medical expertise involved. Veterinarians can manage an animal's whole health picture and any risks involved, looking out for any possible conflicts of drugs, any other underlying conditions, administering the vaccine with minimal injury or stress to your pet and managing any adverse reactions.
A veterinarian can also provide you with a certificate that certifies that your pet has been vaccinated. Only a veterinary certificate will be accepted as legal documentation for public services such as flight transit or boarding kennels. If the proper documentation is not provided, the animal is treated as though they had never received the vaccination and will need to be re-vaccinated. Owner should also be aware that most pet insurance products require your pet to be vaccinated and for this to be certified by a veterinarian or they will not pay your claims.
All vaccines must be purchased legally in Australia and used according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
There may be many reasons that a member of the community may have difficulties in communicating and may require extra support when visiting a vet.
The Australian Government has a number of resources for those requiring extra support.
The National Relay Service (NRS)
People with communication difficulties (hearing and speech impairments) can use the National Relay Service , a free telephone-based communication service (Australian Government initiative funded by telecommunications companies).
Many NRS users also utilise TTY service (telephone typewriter) which is a special texting telephone for those who cannot use their voice, or who cannot hear.
There are also AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) interpretation services for those who primarily communicate in AUSLAN: http://www.auslanservices.com/
Translation and Interpretation Services
People whose first language is not English and require foreign language support can use Translation and Interpretation Services (TIS) who use NAATI-accredited translators (text) and interpreters (speech) in 160 languages. They also have real-time and on-site services available.
Vision impairment Support
The Australian Braille Authority have braille transcription services for those who require print material to be transcribed in Braille. Vision Australia also have print accessibility services available.
Pet insurance is intended to provide a safety net for pet owners, and to assist in the event of an unplanned or major accident or procedure.
Owners with pet insurance may find themselves in a better position to manage the finances associated with major medical emergencies which can become costly due to the expertise, equipment and resources that are required in such a situation.
Different insurance providers may offer different products and pet owners need to consider whether the coverage is right for their own pet and circumstances. Some policies only cover accidental injury and do not provide coverage for the treatment of diseases, so it pays to read the fine print.
Your vet may have information already in their practice, and can provide factual, general information about how pet insurance works, however most veterinarians are not financial advisors or authorised agents for pet insurance companies and as such cannot recommend specific policies or insurance products over others.
Pet insurance is intended to be a safety net for owners to ensure that they can cover the cost of vet bills in the event of an unplanned or major procedure. Sometimes however claims are disputed and need to be escalated.
The first step is always to raise the complaint officially with the pet insurance company. If the response is not satisfactory, there are avenues open via the Financial Ombudsman Service of Australia.
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) can make recommendations on disputed claims as they are the regulators for the insurance industry, and the ombudsman dispute resolution process. The Financial Ombudsman also provides dispute resolution services in other languages as well as additional access needs where this is necessary.
The processes insurance companies are required to have are outlined at: http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/for-consumers/code-of-practice.
Injured birds and wildlife need expert care, so it’s important to contact a veterinarian or trained wildlife carer if you find a sick or injured creature. They can advise you on the next steps to take. You should not attempt to feed or treat the animal unless you have specialist knowledge or training.
It is against the law to keep native animals taken from the wild. They must be passed on to an authorised carer with a licensed wildlife rescue organisation or a veterinarian.
As a rule, refrain from handling birds, bats or reptiles as they can inflict serious injuries or carry diseases detrimental to human health. Call your local wildlife rescue group and let them handle the rescue.
If it is a native animal, WIRES is the best option as they are a dedicated native wildlife rescue service (especially in NSW - there are links on the website to other States). WIRES are very well-connected with their volunteers' local vets and once an animal is picked up, they can source the necessary veterinary assistance for the injured animal.
WIRES have also developed a smartphone App that has basic information about each native animal and what to do when one happens across them. You can also use the App to report a rescue and organise a drop-off to one of the trained WIRES volunteers.
WIRES generally advised that for your safety and health (and possibly your life), you do not approach:
There are several things to remember if you do pick up wildlife or birds that are injured.
Location
It is important to advise the veterinarian or wildlife rescue service the exact location where the bird or animal was found. Many creatures are territorial and can be traumatised or targeted by predators if they are moved to a different habitat when returned to the wild.
Removing threats
Before you begin to examine an injured creature, remove any threats from the immediate vicinity. This might include children, pets such as dogs or cats, or other predators.
Handling
If you find a sick or injured animal or bird, it is important to observe the following guidelines when capturing and handling them:
Try to handle an injured bird as little as possible as most wild birds will be extremely stressed if handled. Care must be taken not to restrict the breathing of birds. They do not have a diaphragm and can be easily suffocated if the chest is restrained too tightly.
Most common species of birds can be captured by placing a towel over the bird, ensuring that the head is covered. Gently secure their wings, pick up and place into a cardboard box with holes punched in the sides for ventilation. Line the bottom of the box with a towel before transporting them to a veterinarian. It is important to realise that placing wild birds in a wire cage can cause significant feather damage.
Sick or injured animals often require individual handling depending on their species. Speak to the animal wildlife rescue service in your state for expert advice, or your local veterinarian before handling mammals.
Reminder: Do not approach snakes, lizards/goannas, bats, large macropods (kangaroos or wallabies) or birds of prey (eagles, falcons or hawks). These animals require specialist handling and must be rescued by trained wildlife rescuers or veterinary professionals.
Food and water
Unless you have received expert advice from a veterinarian or wildlife rescue specialist, do not feed native fauna.
More information about what to do in an emergency situation can be found: http://www.wires.org.au/rescue/emergency-advice
Sometimes it is very difficult to tell whether a friendly neighbourhood cat or dog is just wandering about, or a lost animal, or a stray.
Observation is a good start. Not all strays will look malnourished, as they may have alternate sources of food. Knowing your neighbours and their pets is also a good way to tell between a stray and a pet on a stroll.
Some action items you can do before trying to catch the animal (especially cats) are:
For more information the Cat Protection Society has a few good pointers on surrendering stray cats.
If you do catch a cat or kitten and you need to surrender it, you can contact your local vet, or Cat Protection Society in your state, or the RSPCA or local cat rescue groups such as Mini Kitty Commune (MKC) to request assistance. There are a plethora of rescue groups, and you can refer to our FAQ How do I know a rescue group is legitimate? if in doubt.
With dogs, here are some things to keep in mind when you approach a dog you suspect is a stray:
Again, check the listings for lost animals, and see if there is a match in the nearby areas. There are many rescue charities that may be able to advise.
There are many organisations in the community and on social media who claim to rescue animals. Some are well-established, and others are less so. As social media becomes more complex it is becoming less easy to differentiate between those that are good at what they do and those who just have "good PR".
Larger, more established charities are better at some things while smaller, more community-oriented charities may be better at others. Some things to consider are:
The Australian Not-for-Profit organisations are under the regulation and oversight of the Australian Charities and Non-profit Commission (ACNC). The role of the ACNC are to:
You can find out more by visiting the ACNC website: www.acnc.gov.au
The local Council has the right to impound an animal that has been involved in an incident, if the owner's cooperation is not forthcoming.
The usual process is that:
An assessment usually takes one week and a report is produced for the court.
Very few veterinary behaviourists are willing to do such assessments due to the long and complex processes, and there are only a few who are actually specifically qualified as "specialists" in Australia.
If you have suspect animal cruelty, including neglect or abandonment, you should report it to the RSPCA or the Animal Welfare League. These organisations have inspectors with investigative powers to act on any reports lodged.
RSPCA Australia has a list of their national and state reporting lines on their website: https://www.rspca.org.au/report-cruelty and their inspection process is on their website.
Animal Welfare League Australia's state websites also have respective dedicated telephone lines for cruelty reporting. As each state operates independently, each state has their own reporting line and procedure.
When reporting, it helps the investigation process to note the following:
You can lodge a report online, if you are not comfortable talking to someone on the telephone. Where there is trespassing or property damage, you may also wish to call the Policy Assistance Line on 131 444 to make a non-emergency report. If human injury is involved, call 000.
Remember to pay attention to your own personal safety in these circumstances. Watch for any signs of aggression if you need to approach an injured animal.
Only authorised officers such as Authorised Council Officers or RSPCA Inspectors can seize an animal where abuse or neglect is substantiated. These officers are endowed with the authority to enter premises, investigate, enforce instructions and seize animals where they deem necessary.
Veterinary practices are private businesses that provide a service in the community, and costs such as drugs, equipment, staff and time need to be covered to ensure that the clinic is able to sustain services to the community. Private veterinary practices need to charge for their services and are not obligated to treat your animal for free.
In some cases, larger animal charities such as the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League may have some provision for those in genuine need and situations where an animal's welfare is at stake.
There are several charities open and run by veterinarians and vet nurses that contribute on their own time to providing veterinary care for companion animals that accompany homeless folk. These organisations rely on donations from the public to cover the costs of medicines, equipment and overheads incurred in these operations. Some of these charities are:
If you observe a bad reaction or an adverse event, you should first take your animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible, who will examine the animal and treat any immediate threats to their health and well-being.
Australian veterinarians have access to a pet food adverse event tracking system called PetFAST.
PetFAST is a system to track health problems in dogs and cats that are suspected of being associated with pet food, treats and pet meat. It is designed to identify possible patterns that might point to a cause.
PetFAST is a voluntary joint initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA).
Only veterinarians in Australia can make a report to PetFAST. They report details of adverse events that they suspect are associated with pet food, treats or pet meat for dogs and cats.
AVA and PFIAA monitor PetFAST reports for similarities that may indicate a possible problem. If a problem that might affect more pets is identified, a joint committee will meet to discuss what action should be taken.
In some countries, monitoring and acting on pet food adverse events is a government responsibility, but no structure currently exists within Australia’s system of government to investigate possible adverse events relating to pet food.
If you are a pet owner and suspect a problem with pet food or treats, you need to ask your vet to examine your pet and lodge a report if they too suspect an adverse event associated with pet food.
Reports are forwarded to the pet food manufacturer where possible, who may be in contact with the reporting veterinarians to investigate the matter further.
There are some organisations who are willing and able to take volunteers overseas to assist in animal shelters. Most of these take skilled volunteers such as veterinarians, vet nurses and animal attendants. Some may take lay people to assist and provide basic training in the process.
Vets Beyond Borders is an Australian based charity that recruits veterinarians and veterinary nurses, deploying them into needy communities to work with local vets and associated staff to provide quality animal care.
While volunteering can be a very rewarding experience and volunteers have generally good intentions, there are many things to keep in mind when volunteering overseas. The Australian Government have put together a number of checkpoints for volunteers who travel overseas on their website. Some things to consider include:
While it might seem a nice thing to do, it is generally not recommended to feed the birds in your backyard.
There are several considerations to keep in mind:
A bird’s nutrition may be compromised when well-intentioned people feed them. Like a drive-through restaurant serving you junk food, you may not be providing for the bird’s nutritional requirements, and also reducing their ability to forage for food that will make them thrive in the wild.
A convenient food source means that the birds may hunt or forage less in their habitat, and this can negatively impact on the local ecosystem. Birds have a vital role in pollination as well as keeping insect populations in check, so providing them an alternative food source may mean that some areas of their function in the system may be affected.
So how should we best help our feathered backyard friends?
Providing a water source through a pond or a birdbath may be a great way to help your local bird population.
If you have a green thumb, growing native plants in your garden not only provides you with a beautiful, colourful garden but can also help the native population of birds by providing them with a food source that is in accordance with their needs. Birdlife Australia supplies some great information about creating spaces for birds in backyards
You can also help in the conservation effort by taking part in community activities such as Birdlife Australia's annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count. Not only are they a most valuable source of information about birds, their habitats, and conservation initiatives, but they rely on the general public for support in their work in practical ways such as citizen science and volunteering. They have also developed several smartphone Apps to help those interested to identify bird species that they have in their backyard.
The CSIRO from time to time also holds citizen science events for wildlife and birds, so keep an eye out on their website or Facebook page for more information.