Using pets to improve the quality of urban life

The shift from seeing pets as problems to be managed to seeing pets as benefits that can be optimised is surely one of the most significant MPM changes of the past decade. Communities are realising that pet ownership, responsibly managed, improves the quality of our urban life. We close this chapter with two examples of projects that increase opportunities for people to enjoy their pets. One provides for the frail elderly and the other for ordinary dog owners.

Petlinks

In 1995, a research study in Victoria found that fewer than 35% of frail elderly who lived independently with the help of the Home and Community Care service were pet owners. Others could have benefited from the companionship, security and sense of well-being that a pet might bring, but were unable to own a pet because of the physical and financial demands.¹ 

Late in 1996, the Victorian Minister for Aged Care, Mr Rob Knowles, launched the Petlinks program in Port Melbourne to support frail older people and people with disabilities who wanted to own pets.²

The Petlinks project recruits volunteers to provide services to frail and disabled pet owners. Services include pet walking, washing and grooming, transporting and foster care. Financial assistance is also provided for items such as veterinary expenses, medication and fence repair.

Swanbourne (WA) Oval dog agility track

Over recent years, basic dog obedience courses have been conducted regularly in council parks in the City of Nedlands (WA). Several years ago, Graeme Raine, the Senior Ranger, felt that some owners would like to take their dogs to a higher level of training.³ A specialised agility track for dogs would help owners enjoy the time spent with their pet. Also, well trained, exercised and stimulated dogs were less likely to be a nuisance to the community by wandering or barking.

A dog trainer provided plans for an agility course which included weaving poles, spread hurdles, tyre jumps, a tunnel and a triple jump. The plans were duplicated for small and larger breeds. Private sponsors agreed to help with construction.

The Swanbourne Oval Agility Track opened in 1992 to a media fanfare. Other initiatives in Western Australia encourage provision of dog exercise areas by local councils. For example, AMREX has developed a training module on financing and building affordable exercise reserves.

Another council to undertake a similar project was the Tea Tree Gully Council in South Australia which developed a number of Tails Trails.

Evaluating innovations

While we applaud the innovative approach these councils have taken, we are not aware of any reviews of facilities such as these to establish whether they really have the positive outcomes that are claimed. Do people use these facilities? Do the facilities meet their objectives of developing well-trained, exercised, stimulated dogs that donít bark and bite? Are there any problems associated with having dogs off-leash in these areas? Could the money and effort be more profitably spent in other areas of MPM?

We donít know the answers, but we do know that innovation without review will never be as powerful a force for improvement as innovation with review.

1. Grant J, Miller E. 1995. Companion Animals: a model for providing companion animal support services in the community. Melbourne: Victorian Home and Community Care Program.
2. Eidelson M. 1996. Pet Links - a new service for home and community care. In: Hassett S, editor. Urban Animal Management: proceedings of the Fifth National Conference on Urban Animal Management in Australia (Sydney, 1996). Sydney: AVA: 45-46.

3. Raine G. 1996. The City of Nedlands behavioural management program. In: Hassett S, editor. Urban Animal Management: proceedings of the Fifth National Conference on Urban Animal Management in Australia (Sydney, 1996). Sydney: AVA: 51-55.