Companion Animal Management Flashcards
Kept primarily to provide humans with social contact and pleasure, rather than performing a task or producing.
Domestic Species
Dogs and cats, including strays, also fish, birds, reptiles, small mammals and horses
Pets
Common welfare problems in owned dog and cats
- Lack of regular care
- Illnesses because of breed-specific genetic traits
- Undesirable behaviours because of poor animal-related education
- Obesity
Why do companion animals have poor welfare?
Pet ownership and marketing, ignorance, poverty, and uncontrolled reproduction
How vets can help: in clinical consultations
- Health
- Social needs
- Nutrition
- Environment
- Behaviour
Recommend __________ of pets
neutering
Cats lose them easily, easy to read if no access to a scanner or central database
Tags
Estimates of dog population worldwide are variable but usually around __ per cent that of the human population in Asia and Africa
10
Dogs responsible for __% of human death from rabies
90
Leadership with regard to ____ ________
mass killing
________ large numbers of dogs will increase the relative amount of food available to survivors
Killing
Why mass killing is ineffectve?
Population density that a particular environment can sustain is related to the availability of food
Other problems with mass killing
- often inhumane method
*indiscriminate - risks to pets and humans
- alienates section of humanity
- ignores some ‘stakeholders’
- encourages inhumane treatment
Strong link between animal _______ and ________ to humans
abuse and violence
Mass killing encourages __________ in society
violence
___________ must be standardised to allow comparison of results
Methodology
Most important use of studies:
which animals are owned and which are not owned
Balance the need for penalties with education
Legislation
Generally requires clear proof of ownership
Enforcement
realistic, practical and clear
Legislation
International Companion animal management coalition guidelines
- Legislation
- Registration and Identification
- Garbage control
- Neutering
- Control of breeders/sales outlets
- Education
Basis for legislation
Registration and Identification
Allows instant differentiation of owned and non-owned animals
Registration and Identification
Availability of food determines population size
Garbage collection
Poor hygiene in slaughterhouses, butchers, and food outlets increases public health risk
Garbage collection
programs for community or feral animals
Neuter and release
Involves the capture, neutering, identification and vaccination of strays and their release to the same site
Neuter and release programmes: the rationale
Part of an overall agreed programme, the support of the local authority and community
Neuter and release programmes: the requirements
Age for pediatric neutering?
6-14 weeks old
Non-surgical neutering?
Chemical castration and contraceptives vaccines
Uncontrolled sales outlets likely results in ________________
overproduction
To help the potential pet owner select the most appropriate pet, considering his or her individual needs and circumstances
The pet trade: basic requirements
Your role as a vet:
- To promote responsible ownership
- To provide behavioural counselling
- To work with shelters, public officials, etc. to devise and implement control programmes for strays
