ENHANCING
PET
OWNERSHIP
Helping people
to be more responsible owners
The old-style approach to MPM
relied mainly on using regulation to force people to be
responsible pet owners. However, many of the problems associated
with pets are the result of peopleís ignorance. So even when
people are disposed to comply with pet bylaws, they may be unable
to comply because they donít know how.
For example, a dog owner may not
know that the bylaws forbid excessive barking. But even if the
owner does know, he or she may not know how to remedy the problem.
In recent years, a wide range of
programs have been developed to help people become better owners.
We consider some of them below, starting with programs directed at
school children:
Pet Pep (Pets and People Education
Program) is a teaching program designed for primary school
students, the pet owners of the future.
The program is an initiative of the
Australian Veterinary Association.
Pet Pep aims to promote:
ï pet care (cartoon)
ï pet owner responsibility
ï a positive interaction between
children and animals
ï contact between children and
members of the community concerned with responsible pet ownership
(vets, MPM personnel, RSPCA etc)
In New Zealand, the Animals in
Schools Education Trust produces a range of teaching resources and
arranges visits to schools. The activities are coordinated by the
New Zealand Veterinary Association but trustees include a wide
range of other interest groups.1
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Pet Pep
Schools
Program
Most Pet Pep activities do not
involve live pets in the classroom, although students may
participate in a pet parade. The Cats in Schools program on the
other hand gives children access to a real pet throughout school
hours.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Cats in Schools
In both Pet Pep and the Cats in
Schools program, students are encouraged to think about the
importance of choosing the right pet. A mismatch between breed and
ownerís lifestyle can result in an unhappy, uncommitted owner
and an unhappy, problem pet. Selectapet aims to stop these
mismatches happening.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Selectapet
Preschool
programs
2
Even a puppy chosen through
Selectapet still needs training.
Puppy Preschools were started by Dr
Ian Dunbar in the U.S. many years ago. They are now run in
progressive veterinary clinics around the world, including
Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, it has been Kersti Seksel
who has been most responsible for popularising the concept.
The Preschools do not offer
obedience training; instead they offer step-by-step programs to
start puppies, and their owners, on the right track.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Puppy Preschools
Canine
Good Citizen Program
Canine Good Citizen classes are
conducted by a network of specially trained instructors operating
throughout NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Plans are afoot to offer courses in other states.
The 10-week course is designed to
produce a well-behaved, socialised pet and an informed and
responsible owner. No check chains are used in the program;
instead food, games and toys are given as rewards for appropriate
behaviour. Certificates are awarded at successful completion of
the program, and graduating dogs are
given a distinctive numbered lead.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Australian Canine
Good Citizens
Park
Many councils are extending the
reach of their community education messages by staging MPM events.
Pittwaterís Pick-Up-Poo Parties are just one example.3
Each year, Pittwater Council (NSW)
hosts a Pick-Up-Poo Party to encourage the community to pick up
after their dogs. At the same time, the Councilís Dog
Registration Officer, Peta Burns, promotes dog registrations and
responsible pet ownership.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Pittwater's
Pick-Up-Poo Parties
AMREX in
Western Australia provides a different model for broad based
community education.
AMREX is not funded from compulsory
levies on pet owners. Instead it is a self-funded organisation
which supports itself by selling MPM education and consultancy
services to members of the public. While the central thrust of
AMREX is community education, the organisation sees its role as
being far broader than simply delivering education services on
demand. It operates as an umbrella MPM organisation throughout
metropolitan Perth. AMREX is endorsed by about 20 Perth councils
and over 60 veterinary clinics.
AMREX has been developed privately.
It demonstrates that a workable urban animal management program
for a large metropolitan area does not require unlimited local and
state government funding.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about AMREX
Like AMREX, Catwatch brings
together different MPM interests.4
South Australiaís Dog and Cat
Management Act was proclaimed on 1 July 1995. For cats, it aimed
to encourage responsible cat ownership and to clearly establish a
legal definition to differentiate an owned cat from an unowned
cat. Owned cats are protected by law. Unowned cats can be humanely
removed without the risk of civil liability. Over time the
legislation is expected to result in less public nuisance and
wildlife predation by cats, and improved welfare of cats.
Catwatch has now developed into a
unique community education body, funded from financial sponsorship
and donations, and staffed by volunteers. It is an innovative example of local and
state governments working co-operatively with industry, special
interest groups and the community to achieve common community
education goals.
For further information, click to
see:
ï More about Catwatch
1.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Auckland. 1991- . Annual Companion Animal Workshops. Auckland: SPCA (Auckland).
2. Seksel K. 1995. The principles of canine good citizens and puppy preschool. In: Paxton DW, Boland P, editors. Urban Animal Management: proceedings of the Fourth National Conference on Urban Animal Management in Australia (Melbourne, 1995). Sydney:
AVA: 71-78.
3.
Peta Burns' Pick up Poo Picnic. 1996. People and Pets 3(3): 3,5.
4.
Kelly D. 1995. Cat legislation in South Australia. In: Paxton DW, Boland P, editors. Urban Animal Management: proceedings of the Fourth National Conference on Urban Animal Management in Australia (Melbourne, 1995). Sydney: AVA: 133-139.
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