Our first litter was planned in 2019 but delayed by natural and man made disasters. We whelped 6 puppies on 30 September 2021 with intention to keep two. Four puppies were available for adoption from early December 2021 (from 10 weeks of age) and are now placed in loving and caring homes. The placement process involved a lot of our time and efforts to ensure this.
We have received countless enquiries from the Dogs NSW and Dogzonline websites. Many prospectors were interested in buying a puppy outright and without disclosing any information about themselves or filling in our expression of interest form. Attempts at engaging with them and encouraging them to follow with our process were futile and time consuming.
To maximise effectiveness of our time to do with enquiries we have set up a wix page with an expression of interest form. The form requested some basic information about enquiring person, they living arrangements, previous experience with dogs and expectations of a new puppy. Applicants supplying incomplete forms were prompted for missing information, where such was not forthcoming the incomplete applications were not considered as received.
We have received 76 applications representing 19 to 1 ratio of interested people to available puppies. This showed very high interest / demand for shih tzu puppies at that time (Xmas period). However only 10 applicants appeared to match with Shih Tzu profile, our values and expected level of care for the puppies. Suddenly 19:1 ratio was reduced to 2.5:1 ratio of likely Shih Tzu puppy owners to available puppies. Background checks were undertaken to confirm profil and information provided and 5 applicants were invited for the phone/ Zoom conferences. One of these was initially accepted but withdrawn after closer consideration.
Our expectations of future puppy parents were high but not unreasonable. We are very happy knowing our puppies are with loving and caring “parents”.
Information given by 66 prospecting applicants indicate to us that there is a prevalent view on puppies as products and all that comes with disposable goods but also manifesting wanting sense of responsibility, planning and knowledge of basic dogs’ needs, sense of purpose, strengths and weaknesses and preferred lifestyle of this breed. Small dogs such as Shih Tzu are expected to live 15, 18 years. It is quite a chunk of person's life but the whole of the dogs life that could be full of joy or a living hell. It is perplexing how seemingly intelligent animal (human) fails at rational thinking, planning and considering the welfare of the dog.
Interestingly we have received a number of enquires from outside of NSW from WA, Victoria and Qld, some from registered breeders. We were also a subject to one opposition research by a friend of an unidentified Shih Tzu breeder and a DOGS NSW judge, which we took as a complement given we are beginners in the field.
In summary, the placement process was very time consuming and it may explain why expression of interests forms are not as commonly used as one might expect. Whelping puppies is very demanding on time, presence and response and dealing with prospecting puppy "parents" felt emotionally charged because of our perceived fiduciary duty in ensuring puppies would be placed in loving and caring families. Whelping is an extraordinarily short but intense period of time. Hence, I believe there is an opportunity for creation and use of an algorithm to streamline the selection process of potential puppy "parents". Caring breeders might welcome such a tool.
PS
Curiously, today I was alerted by the DOGS NSW to oppose changes to animal laws proposed by the Animal Justice Party. I see the animal protections laws in Australia are long overdue and are desperately needed to improve the way people think and relate to animals, including puppies - just look at the 19:1 vs 2.5:1 ratios. RSPC website summarises this issue well by placing "Nil" for breeder registration requirements. Any animal protection laws without breeder registration are worthless as they cannot be applied, See
https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/are-there-laws-that-require-companion-animal-breeders-to-meet-certain-standards-of-care/ (accessed 25/01/2022).
Animals are beautiful and deserving people. If this resonates with you please help improve the quality of they lives.
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