Support Us To Reform Australia's Pet Co-Ownership Laws #ZarlisReform

Zarli's Story

Every dog owner's worst nightmare became our reality when a breeding partnership agreement turned into a painful legal battle for our beloved Hungarian Vizsla, Zarli. While we've successfully brought her home, our fight is far from over as we've discovered this is a widespread issue affecting countless Australian families.

Our Journey

In May 2021, we welcomed Zarli into our family from a registered ANKC Hungarian Vizsla breeder. Like many dog owners, we entered into what seemed like a standard breeding partnership agreement, unaware of the vulnerable position it would put us in. Despite maintaining full custodial care of Zarli, the agreement left the breeder with 50% ownership for breeding purposes, a detail that would later become the center of a heart-wrenching legal battle.

The situation escalated in early October 2024 where a disagreement led to the termination of the partnership agreement. Initially, the breeder had insisted on a nine-month lease agreement through Dogs Queensland to thoroughly cover heat, breeding, and whelping, citing past struggles with registering their litter. However, after the disagreement, we took it upon ourselves to investigate further. It was then that we realised the extended lease was not only unnecessary but also far exceeded the three-month timeframe recommended by Dogs Queensland. What followed was a nightmare of negotiations, with the breeder repeatedly changing conditions for Zarli's return including hiding Zarli from her family at an undisclosed location. After 41 attempts at negotiation (26 through a solicitor), we were forced to take legal action through the District Court to bring our girl home.

The Reality Behind Breeding Partnerships in Australia

While we've finally brought Zarli home, the scars of this ordeal run deep, both for our family and our beloved companion. We believe, what was presented as a "breeding partnership" to continue a prestigious bloodline has revealed itself as something far more disturbing: a scheme that prioritises profit over the well-being of these sensitive, emotionally intelligent dogs.

Hungarian Vizslas are known as "velcro dogs" for their intense emotional bonds with their families. They're not mere breeding stock, they're sensitive souls who form deep, lasting attachments to their humans. The trauma of being separated from her family has left Zarli with profound emotional wounds. She now shows signs of separation anxiety and neglect that require ongoing treatment and patience to heal. No dog should ever be treated as a mere asset in a business transaction.

Our Current Challenge

Our legal battle for full ownership continues, with our claim filed in November 2024 still before the Court. Our current legal outlays are in the tens of thousands of dollars, and the proceedings could stretch on for months, forcing us to refinance again just to keep fighting. While the mounting legal fees are straining our resources to the breaking point, we want to use our experience to build awareness of some of the unethical breeding systems that can arise in Australia.

This isn't just about money or legal ownership. It's about challenging a system that allows beloved family members to be treated as commodities. It's about standing up against those who exploit the good faith of loving dog owners, using breeding agreements as tools for financial gain rather than the betterment of the breed. No family should have to endure the heartbreak of having their dog taken away under the guise of "breeding rights" only to discover their pet's welfare has been compromised for profit. No family should have their dog deliberately hidden from them during a dispute at an undisclosed location whilst their pet is vulnerable and recovering from giving birth.

Why We Need Your Help

Through this ordeal, we've discovered we're not alone. This campaign isn't just about Zarli, it's about creating lasting change in Australia's pet guardianship/co-ownership laws that are supposed to ensure ethical treatment towards animals. Many families and responsible breeders have faced similar challenges with breeding agreements and pet co-ownership laws.

Your support will help:

Your Impact

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to:

Join us in this fight for clearer, fairer pet ownership laws. Together, we can ensure no other family has to endure what we've been through.

How You Can Help

Let's turn this painful experience into positive change for all Australian pet owners.

All excess funds will be transparently donated to animal welfare charities, with donor input welcome on the selection process.

Thank you,

Caitlin Cook