16/02/2026
Who would have thought the petition with the highest number of signatures ever presented to the Victorian Government, the petition that arose from the needless killing of Dash the greyhound by the RSPCA, would lead to the government introducing a scheme that will destroy the rescue sector, and lead to the killing of thousands more dogs and cats.
You may well ask how is this possible. Following the petition on poor Dash the government set up a Task Force supposedly to improve animal welfare in Victoria. Instead, its recommendations are being used to force rescue groups into their control.
For decades we pleaded with the government not to try to push us into the existing failing welfare system, but to amend the DAA (Domestic Animal Act) to fully incorporate us, as we did not exist when it was drawn up.
Instead they are using clauses in the antiquated DAA to force us into the current outdated mould.
The Animal Justice Party in particular has been a huge disappointment. They supported this bill when it was in Parliament, and talked down to us, saying we didn't understand that it was 'voluntary' to join the proposed scheme.
We understood completely what was going to happen and it is. We will lose our ability to function as we have been. How voluntary is it when the right to operate as you have for twenty years is taken away from you?
There will be more detail on this later but for now we are once again dumbfounded by the intention to destroy a sector that has grown organically because of the need.
And we ask who is pulling the strings here and what is the role of the RSPCA and Lost Dogs Home in this. We know we changed their world when we showed how it should be done.
