If the Joint Select Committee on Companion Animal Breeding Practices in NSW learned anything on Tuesday, they should have learnt that the system is not working.

Five individuals publicly took the stand in Armidale to give evidence from their perspective as breeders, welfare activists, refuge owners and shelter managers.

All of them had one thing in common: an empathy and compassion for the animals they looked after, and agreement there are faults within the system designed to protect animals. 

At the moment, there is a national body to attend issues of animal abuse and neglect. There is a definitive code of practice published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries that outlines regulations for breeding companion animals.

Local governments have laws and ordinance attached to the ownership of animals and we have officers within communities to enforce the law.

Yet we still have a never-ending supply chain of animals that are often exploited for reproduction, discarded and badly abused.

And a local refuge is inundated with animals who are documented victims of abuse and negligence. Something clearly needs to change. 

Suggestions were raised by the witnesses in Armidale that a breeder registry be established. A license to sell companion animals was also suggested to regulate the industry.

These are realistic conditions, but only if both local councils and the DPI inspect and monitor any breeder who makes any money from the sale of companion animals. 

A registry alone will not ensure welfare guidelines. A carcase hanging in the Bindaree chillers has a more complete provenance than the Maltese-cross puppy for sale on the internet, the paper and some retail outlets. The public are also accountable and must be compelled to look beyond their heart to the realty of the adorable pup for sale in a cage or online. 

We as consumers must demand transparency from breeders. Buyers should ensure every animal purchased comes from a sustainable and ethical home.

But so should the governing and regulatory bodies do their jobs, to track and monitor practices of every breeder with any animal for sale.

It is about time.