Animal Shelter Management, Animal Control And Animal Welfare

Bill Upton

Abstract

A review of the current scientific literature showed a lack of knowledge concerning animal shelters and animal control. Without this knowledge, misinformed decisions will be made and best guess solutions may not result in what is best for animal welfare. The paper looks at the shelter environment, the impact which animal control can have on this environment and the benefits for the welfare of animals if control is given priority by local government. Confidence can be gained from councils who have faced this dilemma by accepting their responsibility and highlighting the owners' responsibility through effective animal control

About the author

Bill Upton BVSc
Manager, RSPCA Yerongpilly
112 Degen Road
CAPALABA
AUSTRALIA 4157
Phone (07)848 0522
Fax (07)245 5705

Every veterinarian holds the welfare interests of animals as a primary concern. I became directly involved with the welfare side of our industry, as a private practitioner in the early eighties, through the export of horses by sea. Because of the controversy of this trade at that time, I was approached by the RSPCA to draw up acceptable guidelines for this practice and I am pleased to report that these guidelines were adopted by the Commonwealth Government and are still in place. This association with the RSPCA led to my appointment as the first Education Officer in 1983 and later as an RSPCA Council member. In 1986 I was the RSPCA representative called before the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare.

Whilst working for AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) I gained first hand experience in the welfare aspects of our rural industries as well as international experience whilst seconded to MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries) U.K., during 1987.

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