Animal rights activists hold protest over pet store raid

ANIMAL rights activists have taken to the Toowoomba CBD to call for the shutting of a pet store raided by the RSPCA this week.

Mo Orr (left) and Carly Middap. Protesters stood on Ruthven Street raising awareness of the ill treatment of the pets sold by Pets Galore, Hodgson Street. The pet shop was raided by the RSPCA last week and pets removed. Photo Bev Lacey. Picture: Bev Lacey

ANIMAL rights activists have taken to the Toowoomba CBD to call for the shutting of a pet store raided by the RSPCA this week.

About 20 people held the gathering in chilly weather on the intersection of Chalk Dr and Ruthven St to push for further action on Pets Galore.

More than 400 animals were seized by the RSPCA during a raid of the CBD store on Wednesday, with charges expected to be laid soon.

Protesters on Ruthven Street raising awareness of the ill treatment of the pets sold by Pets Galore, Hodgson Street. The pet shop was raided by the RSPCA last week and pets removed. Photo Bev Lacey. Picture: Bev Lacey

Owner Nicole Bourne said she planned to re-open while the investigation continued, but protest coordinator Carly Middap said Pets Galore needed to shut indefinitely.

"We're actually here in response to the RSPCA raids this week, and our concerns are that it is still open and there are still live animals in there and they are allowed to trade while this is happening," she said.

"The RSPCA has been very slow to react, because I've lived in Toowoomba for five years and there have been petitions and Facebook groups to draw attention to the shop for more than six years now.

"As far as we know, there are some animals that were too sick to travel that are still (in the store).

"I don't think that live animals should be sold in pet stores - for every animal that is sold in a pet store or from a breeder, that's an animal from a rescue that doesn't have a home.

"What we're hoping for is they will shut down the store until the investigation has come out with its results."

Fellow protestor Mo Orr said she'd like to see a ban on animal sales in pet stores, and tougher restrictions to prevent puppy farms.

"No pet store should sell animals - there is no shortage of shelter animals who are desperately looking for homes," she said.

In her statement to The Chronicle yesterday, Ms Bourne said she would cooperate with the RSPCA amid the investigation.

"I am cooperating with the RSPCA as I have always done and I hope their investigation will be resolved soon," she said.

"My team and I look forward to servicing our valued customers as we have for over 30 years now."

Originally published as Animal rights activists hold protest over pet store raid