Free the hounds (WA)
Their Mission
Free the Hounds officially launched in 2015 as an advocacy group committed to improving the lives of greyhounds.
Based in Western Australia and run entirely by volunteers.
The purpose is to stop the inhumane treatment of greyhounds by educating the public, providing transparency about the racing industry, lobbying the government, keeping regulatory bodies accountable, promoting greyhounds as companions not commodities and advocating for welfare reforms.
Ultimately, support a complete end to commercial greyhound racing in Western Australia and the world.
Achievements
End Greyhound Racing:
Have tabled two petitions in the Legislative Council. The latest containing more than 18,500 signatures in September 2022. The first contained almost 11,000 signatures in May 2021 calling for an end to Greyhound Racing.
Gearing up for a bigger and better petition for 2024 before the State election in 2025.
Free the Snoot:
Successfully lobbied the WA Government to introduce a state bill in 2020 to repeal the muzzle requirement.
Ban Greyhound Exports:
Worked with Senator Mehreen Faruqi to introduce a federal bill in 2021 to ban greyhound exports.
Latest Petition
On Monday 12 February, Free the Hounds officially launched our 2024
e-Petition to end greyhound racing in Western Australia.
This year Free The Hounds are requesting that the Legislative Council recommends that the Government does the following;
- sets up the WA Greyhound Welfare Unit to oversee racing greyhound welfare,
- immediately ends imports of racing greyhounds from any other state or territory of Australia (except for those dogs racing for a specific event that will return to their home state immediately after),
- puts in place breeding caps to limit pups whelped each year,
- reduces the number of racing days each week,
- introduces a bond for all racing dogs to aid with rehabilitation, kennelling or rehoming post racing,
- implements a three year phase out plan to end racing by 2028,
- assists industry participants in reskilling, and
- ensures all greyhounds are rehomed by the end of the phase out.
For this to succeed they need the Western Australian community to come together and add their name to this important petition.
Anyone who lives in WA and is 10 years+ is eligible to add their name. Please share this with friends, family and work colleagues.
AlL about our rescued and hand raised WIRINS
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
Baby Maui was discovered by a caring member of the public and rescued after a recent storm had left him on the ground at only approximately 3 weeks of age. Her dog had baby in its mouth and brought baby Maui straight to her. Baby Maui is learning to do all the things a rainbow lorikeet does and more. He is just starting to try a teeny bit of grated fruit but will not eat or drink unless he has hold of my hand or finger - he is a mumma's boy. Baby Maui has just started to eat chopped up bits of fruit and veggies, he is a very bossy little toddler! He still prefers to hold onto one of my fingers to eat and stamps those little feet when not getting what is wanted NOW! Maui is now climbing and spreading his rapidly developing wings.
UPDATED: Cheeky, still stamps little feet in water and funny as! Latest photo is from the 10th of August 2024 - Minhan and Baby Maui have bonded and spend a LOT of time snuggling and grooming each other - We have decided to keep both Maui and Minhan as much loved members of our family
Get Involved
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
The wirin (Rainbow Lorikeets) have all been hand raised, hand fed and free to be outside their bed time safe keeping cages during the daytime and or when the family is home around them by a very caring, (4 Decades of experience with wildlife) and loving family including our little 7 year old ASD child who has hands on experience with assisting in the babies care
(She has her own war-in - now 1 year old).
They have all been named by this little girl. I created for each new owner a custom designed name plaque for their chosen new family member. These name plaques were attached to their cages to go to their new homes with them.
Now I have officially retired due to extreme and ongoing ill health it makes me very proud to receive updates with photos of the precious little wiring we rescued and rehomed at
NO CHARGE
Little Minhan - age undetermined
Baby Maui - 4 months old (approx)
Little Minhan - age undetermined
Read about Little Minhan here:
Little Minhan was discovered by a caring member of the public, Monday afternoon 8th July 2024 and rescued - Little Minhan has been alone on the ground for a very long time and has astounded me with how he has survived. I held a lot of doubt he would. But, 3 weeks on and Little Minhan is finally walking unaided, still very quiet and prefers to be held and cuddled whilst eating still under weight but is slowly starting to improve.. Little Minhan is learning to do all the things a rainbow lorikeet does and more. Currently still being hand fed and loves his chopped up fruit and veggies.
UPADTES: Little Minhan has progressed beyond all my hopes for him. He and Baby Maui have bonded. We have decided to keep both Minhan and Maui as much loved members of our family
Chi Chi - REHOMED
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
Little Minhan - age undetermined
Read about Chi Chi (formerly known as Moana) here
Little Moana was discovered by a caring member of the public and rescued from a large group of Ravens who were attacking Little Moana approximately 5-6 weeks of age. Little Moana is recovering beautifully, though slowly and is re learning to do all the things a rainbow lorikeet does, growing back stunning feathers stolen by the Ravens and more. Moana loves to spread her wings a lot especially when eating or happy!
Little Moana is so snuggly! Her favourite thing is to snuggle into my boob and sighs when she does, she also loves having her head gently stroked and showing off her beautiful growing wings. Little Moana happily eats her food out of her bowl and is just starting to try grated veggies and fruits. (I call Little Moana She not because I know what sex she is but because Little Chi Chi is so BOSSY) I have now been resurrected as a tree that Chi Chi climbs up and down and up and down - even while I am walking around! Chi Chi has adapted that sweet tongue badly bitten during the raven attack and I no longer have to hand feed Chi Chi.
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
Read about Bing Bing here.
Young Bing Bing was discovered by caring members of the public Monday 8th of July, 2024 and rescued after an incident with a raven who dropped Young Bing from the skies - approximately 3 months of age - Young Bing is recovering beautifully so far, it has been 12 hours since bringing Young Bing Home. Currently one little leg has bruising but is already improving and is eating hungrily - Young Bing was very under weight - but young Bing is adapting fast and is doing all the things a rainbow lorikeet does, including being extremely gentle, loving, all ready very friendly, quite vocal and much more.
UPDATE: 20th July 2024 - Young Bing's injured foot its healing beautifully and it wont be long before Bing Bing is NOW FOREVER HOME
Young Alec - 4 months old (approx) REHOMED
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
Young Bing - 5 months old (approx) REHOMED
NO LONGER AVAILABLE - Forever Home
Young Alec was discovered by a caring member of the public and rescued after an incident with a car - approximately 4 months of age - Young Alec is recovering beautifully so far, though slowly, Currently one little leg is still not functioning as it should and only time will show if this is to be permanent or not but young Alec is adapting fast and is doing all the things a rainbow lorikeet does, including being extremely gentle, loving, all ready very friendly, but very quiet and much more.
Young Alec is now in her forever home with love and care.
Factual Information regarding Wildlife & fauna in WA
About DPIRD
Fact Sheet - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
Rainbow Lorikeet
Introduction
The rainbow lorikeet has been established in Perth, Western Australia since 1968. From fewer than 10 escaped or released birds it is now well established in the metropolitan area.
Under legislation administered by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), rainbow lorikeets are declared pests in the southern parts of the State including the Perth metropolitan area.
Given the size of the lorikeet population in Perth, eradication is unlikely but a reduction in the numbers at key locations may be possible.
It is essential then that any lorikeets in the wild outside the existing Perth range be immediately reported so they can be safely retrieved or removed.
Contact DPIRD via MyPestGuide or the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Control
To prevent satellite populations becoming established in the wild, small groups of lorikeets originating from escaped or released birds have been retrieved or removed from many country locations.
Many lorikeets are kept as pets and as they are so common most have little monetary value. To guard against escapes and releases, lorikeets must be maintained in secure aviaries under a DBCA licence and unwanted birds should be surrendered, not released.
Status
A scientific risk assessment conducted by the DPIRD indicates that the rainbow lorikeet poses an extreme threat to Western Australia. They are highly likely to establish more widespread populations and become a significant pest.
Rainbow lorikeets are classed as managed fauna by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) under the Biodiversity and Conservation Act 2016. As managed fauna they can be taken or disturbed from any local government area in WA without the need for a license, as long as they are causing, or are reasonably expected to cause economic damage.
A fauna possessing (pet keeper's) license from DBCA is required to keep rainbow lorikeets as pets, DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service.
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