A good GP veterinarian serves as an invaluable source of guidance and support. However, just as people need to see specialists, so do our pets. Even better, these accredited experts in their field are not necessarily expensive and are sometimes cheaper in the long run.

I learned this the hard way when my Maltier developed a watery eye. After multiple unsuccessful trips to the vet plus numerous lotions, potions and medications, I was referred to a doggy ophthalmologist.

After the first visit I could 'see' we were finally on the right track. A small procedure using specialist equipment was performed on the day, some drops were dispensed and we were sent home with an Elizabethan collar (commonly referred to as a 'bucket") with a follow up appointment in 2 weeks. Our eye doctor also flushed out a blocked tear duct in the other eye - something I didn't even know was needed - which stopped the weepy brown stain. 

Not only did I have two problems solved the cost was less then all the previous visits to the GP vet. 

This experience lead me to seek advise from other specialists for an assortment of complicated issues, again providing a cost effective and more definitive solution. 

It is true some diagnostic testing can be expensive (scans and blood tests) but again, the difference between trialing different things and starting a pet on the most appropriate remedy immediately, was not enormous and certainly had a better outcome for my pet. If your pet is insured the cost could be zero.

​I have witnessed the slow decline of a dog due to what we now know was heart failure. The indecision of numerous GPs added to our anxiety as we desperately searched for guidance (I understand now because the situation was beyond the scope of expertise of these well meaning GPs). The matter escalated and our cherished pet was eventually euthanised in the middle of the night, involving an immeasurable amount of stress, shock, and trauma.  I would have preferred to have known things were deteriorating and put her on medicine earlier because apparently the signs were all there. Most of all we were robbed of the option to choose a time to let her go in a peaceful way. The specialist scan we needed was not recommended until it was far too late.  

Specialist areas include, but are not limited to:

• ​​Medicine
• Surgery
• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Imaging
• Ophthalmology
• Neurology.

Pets usually need a referral from their GP and it may take a few weeks to get in. However, based on my experience, I strongly recommend pet owners consider this option for complicated medical matters or even if they want a second opinion. You GP shouldn't mind, and will probably welcome your request because after all, they want what is best for your pet as much as you do. 

You have a developing situation at home involving behaviour that is making the relationship with your dog difficult. It might even be a safety concern. 

Should you consider rehoming your dog or call in the professionals to do some training?

A good animal behaviouralist or trainer (so called dog whisperers) will be able to assess the situation,  provide a practical written program and step you through how it should be implemented. For the most part it will work too. Unless, you are not in a position to uphold your part of the bargain. 

Committing to a training program is a bit like signing up to a gym membership.

You still have to turn up, every day and do the work. Over weeks and months. 

Despite your very best intentions,  if you don't have the time, skills, experience or support it is unlikely to work. 

Meanwhile, your dog's behaviour may deteriorate beyond a point where it can be rehomed. 

Owners should understand they are not failing their cherished pet by putting their hands up and admitting the situation is beyond them at this time of their lives. Owners are however, letting their pet down if they do nothing and allow a situation to escalate despite knowing something needs to be done. 

Dogs are here for a short time but a good time. If they are exhibiting problematic behaviour like excessive digging, barking, escaping, fighting, peeing in the wrong place etc, this often is their way of showing you they are unhappy, anxious or depressed. Medication, without behavioural modification, is unlikely to work and will simply sedate your dog.  Is it fair for you to keep your dog when there is a family out there ready to make them a central focus and give them everything they need?

We know you love your dog, but if an owner is unlikely to be able to commit to a long term training program (and do the work every day) professional behavioural support might be wasting valuable time. In this case, if you truely love your dog, let it go. 

Charities do wonderful work in Australia. The genuine ones should be applauded and I admire them immensely.
But don't be fooled. Not all not-for-profit charities operate without making a profit. They just can't be seen to withdraw it for private expenses outside the charity. But this profit can be drawn on in all sorts of clever ways including wages and capital improvements to part private interests.
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A few things that raise red flags for me include:

• statements that volunteers are exclusively used but wages are claimed as expenses
• super payments (times by 9% and you have the wages too)
• large website / IT expenses are claimed but the entity says they do their own websites (typically less than $300 / year)
• crowd funding or pleas for urgent funding for urgent cases despite having a healthy bank balance
• inability to answer the phone, text or email because ''we are all volunteers and over stretched'' when large amounts are claimed  for communication, IT, wages and/or admin.

Some charities have large amounts of assets and cash but are always claiming to be poor and asking for more donations, grants and volunteers.
Charities receive generous tax concessions and are also exempt from paying GST (10%) if annual income is under $250 000 p/a.

But that responsibility has to then fall on the rest of us - the community.

I am not saying all charities are operating unlawfully but I do think it is time those who support them become more involved. There is nothing wrong with tactfully asking for more accountability.  If not to the people who donate (many don't put strings on their donations) but the rest of us who are doing the right thing and paying our fair share of tax in this very challenging economic climate.

To view the financial position of any registered charity in Australia go to the link below and insert the name or ABN, click find then scroll down to annual reporting (2016 is pending but you can still see 2015).
View the Financial Position of an Australian Charity
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Dog Adoption, our dog rescue and re-homing service, is sponsored by Cheap CardBoard Boxes. We don't ask for charity, donations, grants or handouts - and we pay our fair share of tax.
I am not saying registered not-for-profit charities should not pay e.g. wages. What I am highlighting is the need for disclosing the truth so as well meaning people are not exploited. If you know a charity is hoarding vast sums of cash, would you still be keen to donate / volunteer or would you choose to give to another cause that is more closely aligned to your core values?

Most genuine dog lovers, (affectionately known as ”nutty dog people”) are probably aware of someone local who we believe should not really have a dog. This may range from neglect to abuse – but what really is cruelty? And who can help our vulnerable k-9 friends?

In Australia, the RSPCA is reluctant to get involved unless it is at the very top of the cruelty spectrum. Typically they do not act on advise a dog is never walked, rarely fed and chained up on the yard. Or a 10 yr old small fluffy that has spent its’ life as a cherished inside dog only to be suddenly booted outside into the weather because a child comes along who is allergic to dog hair.

Police and council rangers also have limited powers and resources.

There is a silent emergency going on in the back yards of hundreds of homes. Poor dogs being shunned, no longer wanted, fretting, medical needs ignored and sleeping their lives away as busy owners pamper themselves. Or trying to survive in a chaotic, loud and rough household – no where to run, nowhere to hide. Or classified as a ”mistake” and rendered obsolete after they grow out of their puppy paws.

Regrettably, most people, including rescues, do not deem a situation to be urgent unless a dog is in a pound and on death row. By then a dog has often had to endure many years of abuse and neglect. Then the rescue community springs into action, madly posting on Facebook and begging for kennels space, foster care or donations accompanied by the seemingly inevitable vitriol, name calling and bullying.

But what about the dogs we never hear about because they eventually just die in the back yard? And why can’t we help these dogs before if becomes urgent?
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Our group tries to focus on helping dogs who are not on any one’s radar. They have fallen between the cracks. But because we are dealing with owners, foster carers and adoptees the work can be tricky. Add medical and/or behavioural issues the poor dog usually has due to its’ treatment and we have major issues to navigate. This is all made worse by endless undermining by other rescues and individuals who can’t seem to grasp the big picture or understand there is always a back story and that life can be complicated.

In light of the recent revelations about ''blooding'' in the Greyhound racing industry there have been calls to ban the sport. 

While I believe the community has evolved enough so we can seek entertainment via other, more humane means, if racing is banned 1000s of dogs are suddenly going to be in jeopardy. 

As the government receives income from racing and is also supposed to be overseeing the industry I believe they should be contributing to the cost of re-training and re-homing of the dogs. At the moment the task is left to members of the community who are mostly unfunded like Grey Hounds as Pets  

According to the ABC's Four Corners, approximately 17 000 grey hounds are euthanised a year. If the racing industry is banned or pressured we may find many more dogs are suddenly in a perilous situation and will need a new home urgently. 

Rescues and the public will need to be aware of the consequences when calling for a ban on greyhound racing.  I for one are prepared to try and re-home any dog that needs a new home. Will the public be prepared to adopt them? Grey hounds are mostly very well behaved, affectionate dogs that make wonderful family pets. 

But to save the volume of dogs that are potentially about to flood the re-homing market GAP and other rescues/shelters are going to need government funding. And we as the public need to lobby the government to meet their obligations. 

This week's shocking revelations exposing ''blooding'' in the greyhound racing industry has rightly created a huge reaction from the public. It had lead to the sacking of the NSW  Greyhound racing board including the CEO. But the very method used to expose ''blooding'', and countless other animal welfare concerns, is about to become illegal. 

Last week, Liberal Senator Chris Back tabled a private Senator's Bill aimed at addressing escalating trespass incidents on Australian livestock facilities by animal rights activists, gathering video footage covertly. This was supported by Senator, Barnaby Joyce.  Both sighted the potential for vigilantism as the reason for their concern. 

I can assure you - if this undercover footage had not been made available to the media almost nothing would have been done. Neglected and abused animals cannot afford to have this method of achieving transparency to be outlawed. 

I urge members of the Grey hound community to dob in those known to be ''blooding'' and also to use peer pressure to self regulate.  

However, I also strongly urge members of the public not to take matters into their own hands and give the senators any justification to pass the anti trespass bill. 


Most importantly we need to voice our opinion about the proposed anti trespass legislation currently under view before it is too late.