Friday, August 7, 2009

For Seamus

Some of you may remember our little ginger boy, Seamus O'Kittenhead. He was sweeter than sugar, and a whole lot of fun.He adored his 'big brother', Jimmy Blossom. Seamus would copy him, and was determined to stick close.He enjoyed his special kitten milk, and regarded it as a great treat. He was a silly little kitten, who always made me smile.He was both fascinated and intimidated by the Blossom girls, Poppy and Holly. They never seemed sure what to make of the tiny little ginger!He was a fun little boy, and loved to play games. His favourite toy was a little pink felt mouse, which he liked to carry around with him.This photo was taken on the day that Seamus died. When he came to us, he was tiny, and pretty weak. He developed the cat flu, and though we fought hard, his little body just wasn't strong enough to fight it off. The reason I bring this up is a very important Bill that a lot of people are trying to get passed in the New South Wales Parliament. It is called the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill.

While Australian households have the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, NSW has the shameful statistic of 60 000 animals being euthanised in shelters and pounds every year. This is not ok, and something has to change. The human cost to the shelter workers is horrible. I did not like being at the shelter on 'clinic days', because the pain was palpable.

The Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill aims to change the way people are able to procure animals in New South Wales. Pet shops would no longer be allowed to sell cats and dogs. As an industry concerned with profit first, they should not have the ability to sell- and make money from - living, sentient beings. To maximise profit, corners are cut. This is not ok. While the pet shops have codes of practice, they are not compulsory, and are not enforced. They want to sell the animals, so they seek out the 'soft targets'. They are not overly concerned with informing a customer about future costs, health, training, or any of the other factors that should influence their decision to bring a cat or dog into their home.

By taking away the ability of pet shops to sell animals, you destroy the market for puppy and kitten mills. There will be no excuse and nothing to hide behind for people who keep breeding animals in appalling conditions, or for seperating babies from their mums far too early.

Under the Bill, sales of animals through classifieds would be regulated, and the sale of animals at markets would be banned. Pet shops would not be allowed to have mice, birds or other animals on display at the front of the shop. Shelters, vet clinics and registered breeders could continue to sell cats and dogs. Farmers could also continue to breed farm dogs.

Pet shops do not need to sell cats and dogs to be profitable. My favourite pet shops do not sell kittens or puppies. Instead, they focus on sourcing good products. In fact, many of them are actively supporting the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill. I travel to those shops, rather than going to a couple that are closer, because I know they have the kinds of products I am looking for. These shops also have a dedicated customer base.

Where does Seamus come into this? He was confiscated by an animal cruelty investigator from a woman trying to sell him at a market. She had already sold his siblings. She claimed to have found them under a bush and that she was trying to find them good homes, but I have since learned she was under investigation for breeding for profit. Before Seamus came to me, he had some intensive care with a vet nurse to try and give him the best chance at survival. He had bright blue eyes, and his ribs were still visible. I hate to think what the people who purchased his siblings must have gone through. I am sure they had the best intentions when paying their money. Cat flu is very contagious, so there is no doubt in my mind that they all would have come down with it, and being so small, they would have had little chance of fighting it.

You can read more about the Bill at or . If you know anyone in New South Wales, please encourage them to read about the Bill, and if they support it, to let their local member know.
Let's do it for Seamus.

16 comments:

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Seamus was so cute. That is a sad story. If I lived there I would support that bill!

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We all agree with you 100%. In France, there is also a growing problem of people selling cats and dogs of dubious origin via the Internet. We hope the NSW bill passes!

Sweet little Seamus. Such a short life but at least you made it sweet for him for a while. He knew what it was like to be loved and cared for and played with.

Your Friends,
Tommy, Tama-Chan, Sei-Chan and #1

borisandgracie said...

We remember Seamus. In fact, when mom remembers how he came to live with you guys, it still brings tears to her eyes. And then she tries to hug me, which... well... I'm ok with, I suppose.

I hope that law passes. We need more laws like that everywhere, not just in New South Wales.

- Boris

Anonymous said...

There are still many deplorable Kitten and Puppy Mills here in the US, too. We hope that one day soon they will all be closed down.

Sweet little Seamus. We can not imagine what must exist in the hearts of people who would harm any animal.

Teddy Westlife said...

Poor little Seamus. We'll support it from south of the border.

Huffle Mawson

Poppy Q said...

That is a great post, and we hope it has helped to educate some people.

Poor sweet wee Seamus, how your heart must of been broken. We wish that every kittie and puppy got a good healthy start to life, and a fantastic furrever home.

Parker said...

We hope that this bill passes - for sweet Seamus!

Cory said...

Yes we remember sweet Seamus, we will never forget him. We will purr that this bill passes.

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

Well, I don't know who bill is, but I hope that ALL Australian states pass laws to stop the sale of cats and dogs at pet shops. Poor little Seamus... how many others are there like him out there?

Reese =^..^= said...

Seamus was darling. Your story broke my heart

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We purr that bill goes through, for Seamus and other sweet babies and their Moms. He was a sweet baby.

Daisy said...

I do remember sweet little Seamus. I sure do hope that bill will pass.

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

This is something that needs to be said, and you have said it very well. Good luck with getting this bill passed, it is a great thing you are doing.

RIP sweet little Seamus.

The Island Cats said...

We sure hope that bill passes! Seamus was such a sweetie...he should not have been treated like that!

Ariel said...

I remember sweet Seamus.I sure hope that bill will get passed...Hugs

Unknown said...

Our momma's heart is breaking with yours. A long time ago she took a little kitten home from the shelter to nurse back to health. Momma would put the kitten in a blankie and rock it to sleep and hold it and love it and sing songs to it. But, sadly, after a few months the kitty gotted very sick again and died. Our momma's heart was broken into lots of pieces so she knows the pain in your heart. Our momma is sending you kisses and hugs. Rest well dear Seamus. We hope you find Scottie and the two of you can cuddle together.