Companion animals 1: Population control programmes Module 26

Learning objectives To identify the positive and negative aspects of having companion animals in our society To use companion animal examples to stress the importance of general principles – e.g. ‘stakeholder concept’, Five Freedoms To illustrate the complexity of developing effective stray control programmes and stress the importance of a co-ordinated approach involving all appropriate agencies

What are companion animals? Kept primarily for human companionship and pleasure – ‘pets’ –This usually refers to dogs and cats May have additional work functions Stray domestic dogs and cats can also fall within this category

Benefits of owning a dog (or cat) Companionship Reduced stress Increased life span of owner Child development Work and entertainment Assistance dogs Pets in therapy Pets in criminal rehabilitation programmes

Problems associated with stray dogs (and cats) Direct physical injury to humans, their pets or livestock Indirect injury as a result of road traffic accidents Reservoir of disease to humans and their pets Pollution from faeces, urine, etc. General nuisance – e.g. noise

Stakeholder concept – how does this relate to stray dogs and cats? Direct stakeholders Stray dogs or cats Pet animals/owners In contact wild animals In contact domestic animals/farmers In contact human society Indirect stakeholders Municipalities Human public health ministries Veterinary health ministries Animal protection Societies Educators

The Five Freedoms Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom from fear and distress Freedom to express natural behaviour

Responsible pet ownership Ensure the needs of the pet are provided for – Five Freedoms Reduce the risk of injury or disease to humans Reduce the risk of injury or disease to other animals Reduce the risk of pollution/nuisance to society

Size of the problem WHO estimates dog population worldwide is 10% that of human population Of these 75% can be regarded as ‘strays’

The financial cost Human injuries from strays Livestock injuries from strays Road accident costs Local authority costs Police costs £0.15m £2m £0.53m £11.3m £15m

Added pressure in rabies endemic areas Loss of human and animal life Fear of the disease Cost/availability of vaccination Cost/availability of post exposure therapy (PET)

Rabies vaccination in owned and stray dogs Stray dog control programmes cannot be considered in isolation of rabies control 100% vaccination not essential Owned dogs linked to registration Injectable vaccine most cost- effective Oral baits possible in some cases Could be combined with worming

Welfare considerations for stray animals Possible relative lack of food and water Exposure to parasitic and infectious disease Exposure to injury Exposure to fear and stress

Common response of municipalities – mass slaughter Often inhumane methods Promotes inhumanity as the norm Indiscriminate Risks to pets and humans Alienates sections of society Ignores some ‘stakeholders’ Ineffective

Mass slaughter – why is it ineffective? The population density that a particular environment can sustain is related to the availability of food Killing large numbers of dogs will improve the food availability of the survivors leading to increased fertility and survival It will also stimulate inward migration

Considerations for a practical stray control programme Accurately assess the nature of the problem Balance the need for retaining the benefits of pet ownership while addressing the stray animal problem Take account of all ‘stakeholders’ Co-ordinate the activities of all appropriate groups Employ humane methods only Change attitudes by education

Humane methods: ‘The link’ Proven ‘link’ between violence to animals and violence to humans May help encourage less violent society

WHO/WSPA Guidelines 1990 – The framework protocol Legislation Registration and identification Garbage control Neutering owned animals Neutering unowned animals Control of breeders/sales outlets Education

The stray dog population could consist of the following: Owned dogs that have been accidentally lost Owned dogs that are allowed to roam freely Owned dogs that have been abandoned ‘Community’ dogs Feral dogs

Population studies – An essential element The protocol selected will be influenced by the make up of the population Estimate of population essential before programme started Monitor performance by repeated surveys Methodology must be standardised to allow comparison of results

Legislation Needs to be realistic, practical and clear Needs adequate provision for enforcement Balance the need for penalties with education Enforcement generally requires clear proof of ownership – i.e. identification

Registration and Identification Basis for legislation Allows instant differentiation of owned and unowned animals Rapid return of lost pets Recognition of abandonment Financial incentives for neutering Monitoring of vaccination Improved population census

Reasons for identifying companion animals Basis of registration Proof of vaccination status Recovery of lost pets Proof of ownership Veterinary certification Hereditary disease control schemes Indication of neutering Copyright: Ray Butcher

Ear-tagging Ear-notching

Permanent identification: Current options TattoosMicrochips

Garbage collection Availability of food determines the population size Poor hygiene of slaughter houses, butchers, and food outlets is an added public health risk Private contractors may be more effective though more expensive

A role for feeding stations?

Neutering of owned animals Aspect of responsible pet ownership May be owner reluctance – especially with males Veterinarians need to educate owners of benefits Neutering campaigns – long term aim to encourage local practitioners Financial incentives associated with registration

Neutering of unowned animals Neutering prior to re-homing Neuter and release programmes for community or feral animals

Age of neutering Contentious issue amongst veterinarians Pre-pubertal neutering generally accepted as safe and relatively easy Requires special considerations regarding anaesthesia and peri- operative care Significant advantages for control programmes

Control of markets/pet shops Uncontrolled sales outlets likely to result in overproduction Increased risk of abandonment in the future Sale of pets should incorporate some education to encourage responsibilities Control essential

Education: Promotion of responsible pet ownership The major challenge for a successful programme All agencies have a role to play All agencies should give the same message

Neuter and release programmes: The rationale Involves the capture, neutering, identification and vaccination of strays and release to the same site Popular in situations where the environment and culture believe that a community/feral population is inevitable Replacement of an uncontrolled, potentially dangerous population with a smaller, non- breeding and vaccinated one Generally more acceptable form of control for cats than dogs

Neuter and release programmes: The requirements Part of an overall agreed programme Support of the local authority and community Ensure food availability Capacity to deal with sufficient animals in the locality Welfare a consideration at all stages Not suitable in all situations

Copyright: Ray Butcher

Summary and conclusions The interaction with companion animals has many benefits for society Problems largely result from over population and irresponsible ownership Control programmes require a co- ordinated approach considering all stakeholders Education is the main challenge