Editorial

National Animal Welfare Week at MIPE 2003

Caring For Small Pets

Towards a Responsible Pet Ownership

Choosing a pet

Role of pets in today's society

Towards a Responsible Pet Ownership
by Dr. Amilan Siva

Over the centuries, pets have become an integral part of human society on every inhabited continent on Earth. They vary from those casual furry friends (ie dogs and cats) who have evolved through centuries of domestication, to our cold blooded companions (reptiles) who some find irreplaceable, and to our frolic feathered friends who may live with us for a lifetime!

With the advent of domestication came the inherent ability of pets to aid in mankind’s woes, ie drive livestock, sniff out smugglers, haul sleds, rescue the lost and injured, hear for the deaf, or simply add a sparkling natural reality to the lives of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world.

Keeping pets is a joy and a privilege, but also a responsibility. We must learn to accept that pets are not simply people in furry or feathered disguises but are uniquely designed individuals with eating, grooming, training, housing and health needs that are different to our own, and specific to each species.

As various species evolved through domestication, pets have become more dependent on mankind. Some of their innate wild instincts have been suppressed, rendering them helpless when ignored and disowned. We have all seen many stray pets hogging litter bins for scraps…some cashing in their lives while crossing the road! All this can be avoided if people are educated on choosing a pet for one’s lifestyle, understanding the needs of one’s pet before acquiring, understanding the responsibilities of pet ownership and enjoying the fruits of human-pet relationships, as these bonds are forged for a lifetime!