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Best practice in Municipal Pet Management - information access is the key to competitive efficiency in both governance and service delivery

 

Dick Murray

 

Abstract

 

There is a hierachy of tasks in Municipal Pet Management (MPM) which includes general complaint handling, dog at large patrols, pound operation, pet registration surveys, serious complaint investigation, public relations/education, staff administration and policy formulation. It stands to reason that, if the job is to be done competently, the people involved at all levels in every council should have the right competencies, the right skills, the right resources and, most importantly, the right information. In practice this seldom occurs and therein lies a major problem for good governance and efficient delivery in this important aspect of local government administration. While competencies can be selected for, skills can be taught and resources can be provided, in the absence of good and up to date information the critical decisions will never be as good as they should be. Information access is the key to best practice in MPM.



      
About the author


      
Dr Dick Murray BVSc, MSc, FAVA, MACVSc, MACTM


      
Western Suburbs Veterinary Clinic


      
KIRWAN QLD 4817


      
Ph: (077) 734111


      
Fx: (077) 231043


      
Dick Murray is a veterinarian who, some 15 years ago, came
      to the conclusion that, with better Municipal Pet Management,
      councils can offer their ratepayers (customers/clients):


      
Greater community amenity - better public safety, improved
      public health and cleaner public environs.


      
Enhanced community harmony - less community stress and people
      getting on with each other better.


      
Better animal welfare - healthier, happier and better cared
      for companion animals.


      
Improved pet access - more people benefiting from keeping
      and enjoying companionship of pet animals.


      
 


      
He has worked ever since to assist wherever possible in the
      improvement in both the policy and the practice of Municipal
      Pet Management at all levels of government. To this end, with
      the assistance of co-author Helen Penridge, he has recently published
      the most complete text currently available on this subject, 'Dogs
      and Cats in the Urban Environment - a handbook of municipal pet
      management' which has been referred to in this paper.


      
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