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PIAS ACTIVITIES
PIAS has been educating Australians about responsible pet ownership since 1966, highlighting the importance of pets in modern society and helping owners to better enjoy their pets.
Research
Research into the role of animals in society, their beneficial effects on human health and how we may better manage pets in cities, is the cornerstone of PIAS work. PIAS has funded more than thirty studies which cover a range of topics including Professor Headeyıs collaborative study with German authorities indicating huge health cost savings attributable to pet ownership, and Virginia Jacksonıs guidelines for considering the needs of companion animals in the urban environment.
Responsible Pet Ownership
PIAS has initiated many community and school education programs to encourage the correct care of pets and promote socially responsible pet ownership. These include the production and wide dissemination of "How to care for..." literature, posters and videos.
The most common reason for animals being discarded or causing nuisance is the wrong pet selection. Selectapet, a computer program, analyses a range of specific data and chooses the four breeds of dogs and/or cats most suited to the respondentıs lifestyle. Over 300,000 Selectapet enquiries are processed each year.
Four Pet Hintsı per month are released to over 600 newspapers throughout Australia, and PIAS acts as a general resource for print and electronic media. PIAS pioneered a pet care school talk program, and has been involved in the development and promotion of the primary school education program, PET PEP.
The award winning PIAS Internet site www.petnet.com.au receives over 3 million hits each month. Staff at PIAS also provide expert advice to governments, the general public and the media
DELTA SOCIETY AUSTRALIA ACTIVITIES
Delta Pet Partners
More than 100 Delta Pet Partners (trained volunteers and their dogs) visit sick children in hospital, frail aged residents in nursing homes, rehabilitation and mental health centres every week. Delta Pet Partners also work with therapists, in one on one pet assisted therapy, to promote the physical rehabilitation and mental health of individual patients.
National Dog Safe Project A national Prevent-a-biteı strategy is being implemented to train professionals to present dog friendlyı school, parent and community campaigns that teach positive, pro-active ways to reduce the incidence of dog bites to children.
Delta Canine Good Citizens
The annual Delta Canine Good Citizen Instructorsı Course is a train the trainerı program which teaches humane, positive reinforcement dog training methods. The course is nationally recognised as a vocational qualification - Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training (Canine Good Citizen). Delta accredited instructors around Australia conduct Canine Good Citizen dog training programs for pet dogs and their owners.
ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
While many activities are run by IAHAIO members alone, of equal importance is the support given in the form of expertise and/or resources to the projects of like-minded organisations in Australia.
Australian Companion Animal Council
The Australian Companion Animal Council is the peak pet industry body of Australia. The ACAC is committed to promoting socially responsible pet ownership. Members are:- Australian Veterinary Association, Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Australian National Kennel Council, Avcare, Delta Society Australia, Pet Food Industry Association of Australia, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty. Ltd, Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association, Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia.
Urban Animal Management
Australia enjoys one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world with 64% of households currently owning a pet. The majority of owners in most of Australiaıs local council areas are responsible and their pets will not impact negatively on Council resources. However, many councils do not provide sufficient resources to adequately manage animals in their local area. To assist local government to deal with, and better plan for the management of pets in the community, the Australian Veterinary Association runs the annual Urban Animal Management Conference. Since 1992, UAM conferences have encouraged the active involvement of veterinarians in the processes of planning and delivering better animal management at the local authority level proceedings are available on www.ava.com.au
Primary School Education: PetPEP
The Australian Veterinary Association has produced a substantial resource for primary school teachers. PetPEP is a curriculum-based program containing lesson ideas and information to help train the responsible pet owners of tomorrow.
Dog Bite Prevention
The Safety Centre of the Royal Melbourne Childrenıs Hospital distributes a dog bite prevention package for child and maternal health nurses (the people who advise new mothers), called DogsınıKids. This material supplements the Delta National Dog Safe Project.
Pet Links
Home and Community Care, the government funded body responsible for home services like Meals on Wheelsı, runs a companion animal social support program. Petlinks helps frail, older and/or disabled people to keep and care for their pets at home by matching them with volunteer Petmatesı.
ABOUT IAHAIO
The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations is the peak body in its field. It was founded in 1990 to gather national associations and related organisations interested in advancing the understanding and appreciation of the links between animals and humans. The Association was formed to provide a worldwide network for bodies interested in the young science of anthrozoology. IAHAIO facilitates communication between member countries, encourages coordinated program development and holds international conferences. It has also established several international awards for excellence in research or program development. The Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty Ltd and Delta Society Australia Ltd are the joint Australian members of IAHAIO.
ABOUT PIAS
The Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty Ltd (PIAS) is an autonomous, non-profit organisation funded by Uncle Bens of Australia. Established in 1966 its activities are guided by a charter to promote responsible pet ownership and to commission studies and disseminate information about the human-companion animal bond.
Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty Ltd.
Level 13, Como, 644 Chapel Street,
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9827 5344 Facsimile: (03) 9827 5090
email: petcare@petnet.com.au
Internet: www.petnet.com.au
ABOUT DELTA
Delta Society Australia Ltd was incorporated as a non-profit organisation in May 1997. Its core business is to promote the social, physical and emotional well being that results from bonding between people and their companion animals - helping animals to help people - and to teach and promote humane, reward-based dog training. The Society, a registered charity, works with prominent members of the medical, allied health, teaching and veterinary professions as well as specialist animal behaviourists and dog trainers.
Delta Society Australia Ltd
Level 6, 9 Hunter Street, Sydney,
NSW 2000
Australia
Telephone: (02) 9231 3218 Facsimile: (02) 9223 2382
email: deltasoc@hotkey.net.au
Internet:www.vetevents.com/delta/