Major Payne and the Fluffer Speak Out!!!
"Quarantine is inhumane for those of us who
have had our needles against rabies."
THE UNITED KINGDOM QUARANTINE LAW
MUST
BE CHANGED
THE UNITED KINGDOM QUARANTINE LAW
MUST
BE CHANGED
The United Kingdom still forces responsible pet owners
who have inoculated their animals against disease to
separate their animals from the general population when they
come into the UK. Their
supposed worry.. Rabies. But what
purpose does it serve in terms of today's veterinary
vaccinations and advancements?
Even with the current changes in the works, which pet
lovers are watching with guarded anticipation - North America is still be left
out. What does this say about our standard of veterinary care? It's nothing
more than a slap in the face to Canadians and Americans alike...and so much
for our Canadian ties to the UK as the second largest contributer to the Commonwealth.
The changes, expected to take partial effect by April 2000,
are only as a result of the UK's "economic" ties with the EU. They needed to
do something. But North America is left to hang out to dry and foot the bill of the
quarantine kennel owners' losses while the UK government drags
its heels saying they're studying it. Quite conceivably this "study" could take
years, maybe even decades. Now they've started doing something for their beloved EU, why
do they really need to do more??? Is it the fear of pressure
from these kennel owners who are becoming quite rich off this
"racket," for fear of finding a better word. It is the only
reason that we can conclude for keeping North America out
of any changes. Quarantine is a commercial
enterprise with no pricing control and very little if any protection
for both the pet owner and pets. Quarantine kennel owners can basically
hold a pet owner at ransom. Even the Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Fisheries (MAFF) considers quarantine kennels commercial businesses.
It is quite obvious who is really benefitting from quarantine and it
certainly isn't the pet owner.
There IS a vaccination against rabies for pets who's
owners love dearly. Rabies does NOT pose the same
threat as it did a hundred years
ago. So why subject innocent pets to this cruel and
inhumane treatment?
"Should they also quarantine people
as well since people aren't inoculated against it?
People are just as susceptible to it as we are," Fluffé
blurts out obviously distressed to find out that she
would not be treated the same as a human although she
regards herself as being one. "I've had my needles;
ALL of them!!! The Vet did say that there was no rabies
on Prince Edward Island and if I wasn't going anywhere
I wouldn't need it. But Mom made me have it anyways.
She loves me too much to take that chance." Major
nods in agreement. He too has had all his needles.
"What I can't understand," he adds,"is that
there are no allowances to this rule. That each case
can't be judged on an individual basis. Beloved family
pets are just warehoused in kennels at the expense of
their owner. There is only one group that's benefitting
from it and it certainly isn't the pets or their owners."
"I can't bear to be separated from my "mom". I don't
go anywhere without her and won't even go outside unless
she's there to watch me," Major Payne says with a
tear in his eye. In fact the last time his "mom" went
away he wouldn't eat or drink and displayed some
separation anxiety and depression. "I don't know if
I could last six months. And if I feel that way, how do
my peers feel when their owners are forced to have them
swept away to cages... a pet jail for something they
didn't do and their owners helplessly look on at their
well kept vaccinated pet."
"I would never want to admit that I had a rough time
of it too when "Mom" went away on vacation too. I went
to people I knew.... not complete strangers." Lowering
her voice so that Major Payne can't hear her she says as
she's always been the stronger of the two,
voice quivering, "I lost some of my fur from my
nerves. I thought she was never coming back to me. I
spent most of my time either howling under the bed or
clutched to her dad. He tried to do all sorts to make
me feel better but all I wanted was her. I wouldn't
even eat my can of real tuna. I was never so happy
when I saw her again."
"It must be made known that we too
over here have rabies vacinations. That we too must
be counted. Why should sheep, cows and other barnyard
animals entering the United Kingdom be exempt from the
quarantine and we're not?"Fluffé says.
"There is something you can do about it," Major
Payne says. "There's a couple of wonderful spots you have
to go to. Tell them how you feel and we hope you feel
compelled enough to join. (Of course the UK Government
doesn't subsidize groups that oppose their views when it comes
to the issue of quarantine.) Voice your concerns
to the Members of Parliament of the United Kingdom. Contact your
elected officials. Create
a stir. If it was your child you
were locking up for six months you'd be screaming and
while we may wear fur coats all year round, we're
mom's children too."
When we started this page on evening of October 24th, 1998,
we had a petition
with it. The response was overwelming and wonderful.
People were speaking out. They wanted to have a say. They
wanted inclusion of their parts of the world in the changes;
not just countries that belonged to the European Economic
Union and certain rabies free countries. In fact there
were in Europe last year over a 100 cases of rabies (not
including bat rabies) so they
themselves are not completely free of rabies. (And as a matter
of reference... Canada is approximately 30 times larger than Germany;
the largest european nation being considered.) Nearly
300 people participated in the petition in less than 2 months. On
December 30, 1998 the responses that were received to
that date were hand delivered to MAFF. They came
from people from all walks of life; pet owners, breeders,
veterinarians, military personnel, and even lovers
of cats and dogs who didn't have pets! (We were still receiving
more support even after that date.) The petition
was delivered to the MP of Ilford North by
a constituent there and to the MP for
Hillsborough here in Canada. Unfortunately the MP for Hillsborough
couldn't bring himself around to "rock" the boat in Ottawa being a back bencher.
For all of those who supported
our efforts; who took the time and are still taking the
time we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks.
For those of you who have just come upon this page,
please take time too to explore some of the pages; the
links and some of the comments which we will be reorganizing
and putting on line.
The Advisory Group on Quarantine in the UK were taking
comments and submissions from regular people just like
us until December 31, 1998. Don't let something intangible
like a date stop you. If you feel strong enough
about this issue, you should still voice your
concerns. Let them know. Remember.. it's the squeaky wheel that get the oil.
You can either email them at
s.davenport@ahvg.maff.gov.uk or write them at:
Miss S. Davenport
That's all you need to get it there. And most of all...
Make sure your word gets to the top.
BREAKING NEWS
March 26, 1999
See the informational release in the Daily Telegraph. Pilot projects are expected within a year.
Go here to check out a movie file to pass around to get the word out. The fight is long from over for
those of us living in North America.
If you want to talk to us... you can
Please note: We have no affiliation with Passports For Pets. But we want to say that we support their efforts.
Major Payne
According to some statistics, over 3000 animals died
while in quarantine between 1972 and 1995 and not one
of them from rabies. If that had been human deaths, there
would have been public outrage.
about $4000 - $6500 Canadian PER ANIMAL.
Speak out against this INHUMANE law.
Responsible pet owners vacinate
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Hook Rise South
Tolworth
Surbiton
Surrey KT6 7NF
United Kingdom
Also write
Hon. Nick Brown, Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food
House of Commons
London, UK.
The Fight Isn't Over Yet!
March 22, 1999
According to the BBC Website - A decision on changes to the Quarantine Laws and announcement is expected sometime the end
of this week - But still if left unchanged; North America will
foot the bill to keep Quarantine Kennel Owners in operation. The proposed changes excluded North America and boiled down to two things - a politicial decision with their EU Buddies and an economic decision with the Quarantine Kennel Owners Association. (MAFF Considers these "commercial" enterprises). So the fight must continue to include North America and every where else with high standards in veterinary care and who can meet the stringent medical criteria. To see more of the report, go to
The BBC Website
NORTH AMERICA ISN'T INCLUDED. THE FIGHT MUST CONTINUE.
and mom will help us type a response! Thank you for your time!And remember.. we made this page with lots of love.
With love,
Major and Fluffé
This Pet Ring site owned by
Major, Fluffe and Val
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