Auctions and Markets
Markets and auctions are busy places filled with people, noise and excitement. The stress experienced by animals in these kinds of environments will negatively impact their health. This is especially true for a kitten or a puppy. You must also consider how they are transported to these events.
Even if a market or auction is held regularly, the animals being sold will change from week to week and prices often vary. This creates a sense of ‘buy it while you can’ in case you ‘miss out’. This is very true when it comes to a great bargain, but not so if purchasing an animal who may live for 10 to 15 years.
Adopting an animal (as opposed to ‘buying one’) is a serious commitment and requires preparation. If you are renting or living in an apartment you need to consider your landlord or body corporate; if you live with other people it is important to ask their opinion; there are lifestyle and environmental factors, the merits of certain breeds, and of course the cost involved in caring for an animal.
A busy market or auction is not the place to make these considerations. There is no cooling off period and there is not the option of returning the animal so they can be rehoused if you experience problems.
In addition to this there are serious health and behavioural concerns associated with animals sold from markets. Where did they come from? Where are their parents? Are their parents healthy and well socialised? Cats and dogs sold at markets and auctions are usually sourced from ‘backyard breeders’ who indescriminantly breed animals in appalling conditions. The animals are often inbred and have had little socialisation.
So even if you have responsibly decided to adopt a pet, by purchasing an animal from a market or auction, you will be supporting a backyard breeder.
The Animals Bill will stop cats and dogs from being sold at markets and auctions by:
- prohibiting the keeping of companion animals at shops or markets for the purposes of their sale
- prohibiting the sale of cats and dogs at or from shops or markets
- by restricting who can carry on the business of selling cats or dogs, or breeding cats or dogs for sale
People will still find it easy to adopt animals from shelters, pounds, vet clinics and through rescuers or registered breeders. All animals rehomed from these places will be able to guarantee the health of the animal, provide people with care information, and accept the animal back if there are any problems.
