Taskforce on Rehoming Pets
Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (09:47): I am delighted to share that the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets, which I was proud to serve on as chair, has handed down its final report to the Minister for Agriculture. To celebrate this yearlong body of work we had some special visitors at Parliament House last sitting week. Freckles, Timmy, Bijou and Louis are four beagles who were rescued from medical research. Some of the so-called experiments inflicted on them are too hard to even think about. They are some of the lucky ones who ended up in the care of Beagle Rescue Victoria. Sadly, this secretive industry kills most of the animals used in experiments. The Taskforce on Rehoming Pets has made an important recommendation to the Minister for Agriculture to change the code of practice for the rehoming of cats and dogs used in research from recommended to mandatory. On top of this we have also recommended having a retirement age to ensure cats and dogs have the best opportunity to adjust to a normal life. This is just one recommendation of many that would improve the lives of companion animals here in Victoria, and I look forward to hearing the minister’s feedback on the report.