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

Role of pets in today's society
Like all creatures great and small, they all have their drawbacks; like two sides of a coin. However the joy of companionship and the bond that is forged with your pet far outweighs the drawbacks. In fact most drawbacks considered are part and parcel of an owner's responsibility. Drawbacks are hence only individual claims by the owner on the pet's behalf and can be avoided if the owner is aware and educated on animal welfare and understands their pet well.

In many countries today, the therapeutic nature of human-pet interaction has been clearly studied and applied to various societies. The essence of the human-pet interaction instills a sense of responsibility, care and affection to another living being and has proven in rehabilitating the most hardened criminals in the United States. Pets have also given a sense of worth and the ability to carry out certain tasks previously denied from people of physical and mental disadvantage. Their silence may be unrewarding, but the secret of their success lie in their actions which are innocent,and non-discriminating. They have made their way into households that have been denied of children and have relinquished the sense of emptiness.

Building a society of good Samaritans who are considerate and affectionate, starts simply at home. Once a child is given responsibilities to learn to live and care for another being, they are kept busy with a good habit, selfishness is eluded and a more mature and considerate character is molded. Hence it is best to let a child of 7-8 years to begin taking full responsibility of their household pet.

To safeguard the interest of pets on the agenda of Welfare, Responsibility and Human-Pet Interaction we need to continue educating the public in the right direction.

It was Gandhi who once said, Quote “The status of development in a nation can only be judged by the way their animals are treated!” Unquote