MANILA, Philippines -- A German shepherd tied to a tree in a pet-friendly campus looks harmless as he sits calmly in the shade.
But when a child comes by and pets him, he ends up with a bite in the hand.
Bishop, a friendly Pit bull terrier, walks in a park full of people with his owner by his side. Every person he meets steers clear of his path although unknown to them, Bishop is a sweet natured dog who would never bite anyone.
However, the recent stories about dog fights, where Pit bulls are pitted against each other, have created a negative impression of the breed. As a result, instead of admiration, Bishop earns wary and fearful gazes from people in the park.
With more pet owners bringing their furry companions to public places, a safe and healthy interaction among humans and animals should always be observed, according to Joey Tiosayco, president of Lovepets.com, a pet welfare group.
Recently, the group and other dog walker clubs in Metro Manila signed a Unified Declaration on Policies toward Responsible Canine Public Exposure during the 1st Pack Leader Dog Walk Summit held in Pasig City.
The summit, organized by Lovepets.com (Love, Pets and Comradeship), was aimed at teaching pet owners to become more responsible and responsive to non-animal lovers in public places.
“In setting policies and provisions that must be adhered to by sectors involved, we can avoid accidents or untoward incidents involving humans and animals,” explained Tiosayco.
Even if pets are already allowed in some establishments in Metro Manila, “we (animal owners) must not go out of bounds,” he added.
Signs needed
So-called pet-friendly places don’t even have signs or reminders on how people should handle their animals in public, Tiosayco said.
Canine health is one of the top considerations written in the unified declaration. It states that “dogs that will be brought to public places must have rabies shots. They must be subjected to anti-tick, flea, and heart worm prevention measures.”
Owners whose bitches are in heat, show signs of sickness or have been diagnosed with infectious diseases are discouraged from taking them to enclosed spaces like restaurants and commercial areas where many people gather.
The declaration also holds humans responsible for their pets’ every act. They are encouraged to be more tolerant and understanding of people who are not dog or animal lovers.
Petting of dogs must also be done with strict supervision, especially when it involves canines who may not be feeling well or are still undergoing behavioral training.
It would be better if the dogs wear bite prevention gear or muzzles. Owners or handlers should also carry their animals’ vaccination records at all times, the declaration added.
The summit also served as a forum for government officials, veterinarians and animal welfare groups to discuss issues on human-animal coexistence.
Dr. Angel Mateo, director on animal welfare of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry, gave a brief talk on existing laws (Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8485 and Rabies Law of 2007 or RA 9482). He also discussed how an act can be considered a form of animal cruelty and the responsibilities of a pet owner.
On the other hand, Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc.’s external affairs officer, Luis Buenaflor, discussed the implementation of these laws.
Dr. Rey del Napoles, a veterinarian and vice president of the Animal Welfare Coalition, reminded dog owners of the things they have to remember before taking their dog out in public, common canine diseases, as well as how to prevent transmission and proper protection and grooming.
Debunking the myth
Tiosayco was joined by Pit bull owner Mario Policarpio in debunking the myth about large breed canines. Tiosayco said that German shepherds and Pit bull terriers are the most maligned and misunderstood breeds because they are always perceived as “dangerous.”
Tiosayco explained, however, that “it is not the breed, but how the dogs are brought up by the owners.”
To prove his point, he presented Bishop and his owner, Jeff Ramos. He encouraged people to pet the dog who seemed to be enjoying the attention he was getting.
Nearby, two German shepherds, under the supervision of their owners, played with children.
As more and more people take care of dogs and cats, their responsibilities do not end with feeding and giving the animals homes. They also have to ensure the peaceful coexistence of humans and animals.
The declaration, according to Tiosayco, will be presented to the government and the owners of establishments interested in opening their premises to pets.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
lst Dog Walk Summit tackles pet owners’ responsibilities
MANILA, Philippines -- A German shepherd tied to a tree in a pet-friendly campus looks harmless as he sits calmly in the shade.
But when a child comes by and pets him, he ends up with a bite in the hand.
Bishop, a friendly Pit bull terrier, walks in a park full of people with his owner by his side. Every person he meets steers clear of his path although unknown to them, Bishop is a sweet natured dog who would never bite anyone.
However, the recent stories about dog fights, where Pit bulls are pitted against each other, have created a negative impression of the breed. As a result, instead of admiration, Bishop earns wary and fearful gazes from people in the park.
With more pet owners bringing their furry companions to public places, a safe and healthy interaction among humans and animals should always be observed, according to Joey Tiosayco, president of Lovepets.com, a pet welfare group.
Recently, the group and other dog walker clubs in Metro Manila signed a Unified Declaration on Policies toward Responsible Canine Public Exposure during the 1st Pack Leader Dog Walk Summit held in Pasig City.
The summit, organized by Lovepets.com (Love, Pets and Comradeship), was aimed at teaching pet owners to become more responsible and responsive to non-animal lovers in public places.
“In setting policies and provisions that must be adhered to by sectors involved, we can avoid accidents or untoward incidents involving humans and animals,” explained Tiosayco.
Even if pets are already allowed in some establishments in Metro Manila, “we (animal owners) must not go out of bounds,” he added.
Signs needed
So-called pet-friendly places don’t even have signs or reminders on how people should handle their animals in public, Tiosayco said.
Canine health is one of the top considerations written in the unified declaration. It states that “dogs that will be brought to public places must have rabies shots. They must be subjected to anti-tick, flea, and heart worm prevention measures.”
Owners whose bitches are in heat, show signs of sickness or have been diagnosed with infectious diseases are discouraged from taking them to enclosed spaces like restaurants and commercial areas where many people gather.
The declaration also holds humans responsible for their pets’ every act. They are encouraged to be more tolerant and understanding of people who are not dog or animal lovers.
Petting of dogs must also be done with strict supervision, especially when it involves canines who may not be feeling well or are still undergoing behavioral training.
It would be better if the dogs wear bite prevention gear or muzzles. Owners or handlers should also carry their animals’ vaccination records at all times, the declaration added.
The summit also served as a forum for government officials, veterinarians and animal welfare groups to discuss issues on human-animal coexistence.
Dr. Angel Mateo, director on animal welfare of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry, gave a brief talk on existing laws (Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8485 and Rabies Law of 2007 or RA 9482). He also discussed how an act can be considered a form of animal cruelty and the responsibilities of a pet owner.
On the other hand, Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc.’s external affairs officer, Luis Buenaflor, discussed the implementation of these laws.
Dr. Rey del Napoles, a veterinarian and vice president of the Animal Welfare Coalition, reminded dog owners of the things they have to remember before taking their dog out in public, common canine diseases, as well as how to prevent transmission and proper protection and grooming.
Debunking the myth
Tiosayco was joined by Pit bull owner Mario Policarpio in debunking the myth about large breed canines. Tiosayco said that German shepherds and Pit bull terriers are the most maligned and misunderstood breeds because they are always perceived as “dangerous.”
Tiosayco explained, however, that “it is not the breed, but how the dogs are brought up by the owners.”
To prove his point, he presented Bishop and his owner, Jeff Ramos. He encouraged people to pet the dog who seemed to be enjoying the attention he was getting.
Nearby, two German shepherds, under the supervision of their owners, played with children.
As more and more people take care of dogs and cats, their responsibilities do not end with feeding and giving the animals homes. They also have to ensure the peaceful coexistence of humans and animals.
The declaration, according to Tiosayco, will be presented to the government and the owners of establishments interested in opening their premises to pets.
But when a child comes by and pets him, he ends up with a bite in the hand.
Bishop, a friendly Pit bull terrier, walks in a park full of people with his owner by his side. Every person he meets steers clear of his path although unknown to them, Bishop is a sweet natured dog who would never bite anyone.
However, the recent stories about dog fights, where Pit bulls are pitted against each other, have created a negative impression of the breed. As a result, instead of admiration, Bishop earns wary and fearful gazes from people in the park.
With more pet owners bringing their furry companions to public places, a safe and healthy interaction among humans and animals should always be observed, according to Joey Tiosayco, president of Lovepets.com, a pet welfare group.
Recently, the group and other dog walker clubs in Metro Manila signed a Unified Declaration on Policies toward Responsible Canine Public Exposure during the 1st Pack Leader Dog Walk Summit held in Pasig City.
The summit, organized by Lovepets.com (Love, Pets and Comradeship), was aimed at teaching pet owners to become more responsible and responsive to non-animal lovers in public places.
“In setting policies and provisions that must be adhered to by sectors involved, we can avoid accidents or untoward incidents involving humans and animals,” explained Tiosayco.
Even if pets are already allowed in some establishments in Metro Manila, “we (animal owners) must not go out of bounds,” he added.
Signs needed
So-called pet-friendly places don’t even have signs or reminders on how people should handle their animals in public, Tiosayco said.
Canine health is one of the top considerations written in the unified declaration. It states that “dogs that will be brought to public places must have rabies shots. They must be subjected to anti-tick, flea, and heart worm prevention measures.”
Owners whose bitches are in heat, show signs of sickness or have been diagnosed with infectious diseases are discouraged from taking them to enclosed spaces like restaurants and commercial areas where many people gather.
The declaration also holds humans responsible for their pets’ every act. They are encouraged to be more tolerant and understanding of people who are not dog or animal lovers.
Petting of dogs must also be done with strict supervision, especially when it involves canines who may not be feeling well or are still undergoing behavioral training.
It would be better if the dogs wear bite prevention gear or muzzles. Owners or handlers should also carry their animals’ vaccination records at all times, the declaration added.
The summit also served as a forum for government officials, veterinarians and animal welfare groups to discuss issues on human-animal coexistence.
Dr. Angel Mateo, director on animal welfare of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry, gave a brief talk on existing laws (Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8485 and Rabies Law of 2007 or RA 9482). He also discussed how an act can be considered a form of animal cruelty and the responsibilities of a pet owner.
On the other hand, Animal Kingdom Foundation Inc.’s external affairs officer, Luis Buenaflor, discussed the implementation of these laws.
Dr. Rey del Napoles, a veterinarian and vice president of the Animal Welfare Coalition, reminded dog owners of the things they have to remember before taking their dog out in public, common canine diseases, as well as how to prevent transmission and proper protection and grooming.
Debunking the myth
Tiosayco was joined by Pit bull owner Mario Policarpio in debunking the myth about large breed canines. Tiosayco said that German shepherds and Pit bull terriers are the most maligned and misunderstood breeds because they are always perceived as “dangerous.”
Tiosayco explained, however, that “it is not the breed, but how the dogs are brought up by the owners.”
To prove his point, he presented Bishop and his owner, Jeff Ramos. He encouraged people to pet the dog who seemed to be enjoying the attention he was getting.
Nearby, two German shepherds, under the supervision of their owners, played with children.
As more and more people take care of dogs and cats, their responsibilities do not end with feeding and giving the animals homes. They also have to ensure the peaceful coexistence of humans and animals.
The declaration, according to Tiosayco, will be presented to the government and the owners of establishments interested in opening their premises to pets.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Families urged to take up pet insurance
People hardly give a second thought to insuring their homes, cars, themselves and families, but regularly forget their pets.
That omission can often prove disastrous if the animal gets sick, and not just financially for the pet owner.
Given costs of up to $2000 for major surgery - the cuddly cat or loyal labrador could find themselves turfed out of home - abandoned after years of unconditional love - due to prohibitively expensive treatment.
The answer, veterinarians say, is pet insurance.
Although the industry is only small in Australia, it is well established in Europe, where almost half of Swedish pet owners and 20 per cent of British ones have policies for their household animals.
RSPCA Victoria president doctor Hugh Wirth urged people to protect themselves against their pets needing serious medical attention.
"That's exactly why the RSPCA has long supported pet insurance," doctor Wirth said.
"If you can't afford to pay for annual vaccinations, annual worming ... then frankly you shouldn't have a pet at all.
"People nowadays insure their cars, insure their houses against devastating accidents ... we're just simply saying it's just as expensive to fix a pet."
An Australian Companion Animal Council report last year estimated cat and dog owners spent about $8 million on insurance, with the number of new policies growing each year.
The RSPCA, among others, already offers pet insurance and it is this market Manchester Unity is hoping to tap into.
It is offering to have the "whole family covered" and recently launched a new product for dogs and cats.
The company says 63 per cent of Australian households have a pet, including 3.75 million dogs and 2.43 million cats, and they spend $4.62 billion a year on them.
While it currently has only a few hundred policies on the books, business relationship manager David Rees hoped it will be "in the thousands" by the end of 2008.
"For us, it seems to be an untapped market so we see a lot of potential in there," Mr Rees said.
"It's very early days for us, but the sky's the limit in terms of what we want to try and achieve in terms of product and membership growth, but also the impact on the wider community."
He said pet insurance was behind only car and home insurance in the UK and was growing 200 per cent a year in the United States.
A 2004 American Animal Hospital Association survey found three per cent of United States pet owners had insurance for their animals.
And in 2005, the two largest companies held more than half a million policies, with most of the growth taking place since 2001, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
California-based Veterinary Pet Insurance's policy holders more than doubled between 2001 and 2005, from 195,000 to 392,000.
Although off a much smaller base, Pethealth Inc. saw an almost six-fold increase - from 22,000 to 153,000 - in the same period.
AVMA spokesman Thomas McPheron said the concept was quickly catching on in the US.
"When you consider how many people have signed up ... it's pretty impressive," Mr McPheron said from Chicago.
"Definitely people are picking up on it pretty quickly here. It's really taken off in the last decade."
That omission can often prove disastrous if the animal gets sick, and not just financially for the pet owner.
Given costs of up to $2000 for major surgery - the cuddly cat or loyal labrador could find themselves turfed out of home - abandoned after years of unconditional love - due to prohibitively expensive treatment.
The answer, veterinarians say, is pet insurance.
Although the industry is only small in Australia, it is well established in Europe, where almost half of Swedish pet owners and 20 per cent of British ones have policies for their household animals.
RSPCA Victoria president doctor Hugh Wirth urged people to protect themselves against their pets needing serious medical attention.
"That's exactly why the RSPCA has long supported pet insurance," doctor Wirth said.
"If you can't afford to pay for annual vaccinations, annual worming ... then frankly you shouldn't have a pet at all.
"People nowadays insure their cars, insure their houses against devastating accidents ... we're just simply saying it's just as expensive to fix a pet."
An Australian Companion Animal Council report last year estimated cat and dog owners spent about $8 million on insurance, with the number of new policies growing each year.
The RSPCA, among others, already offers pet insurance and it is this market Manchester Unity is hoping to tap into.
It is offering to have the "whole family covered" and recently launched a new product for dogs and cats.
The company says 63 per cent of Australian households have a pet, including 3.75 million dogs and 2.43 million cats, and they spend $4.62 billion a year on them.
While it currently has only a few hundred policies on the books, business relationship manager David Rees hoped it will be "in the thousands" by the end of 2008.
"For us, it seems to be an untapped market so we see a lot of potential in there," Mr Rees said.
"It's very early days for us, but the sky's the limit in terms of what we want to try and achieve in terms of product and membership growth, but also the impact on the wider community."
He said pet insurance was behind only car and home insurance in the UK and was growing 200 per cent a year in the United States.
A 2004 American Animal Hospital Association survey found three per cent of United States pet owners had insurance for their animals.
And in 2005, the two largest companies held more than half a million policies, with most of the growth taking place since 2001, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
California-based Veterinary Pet Insurance's policy holders more than doubled between 2001 and 2005, from 195,000 to 392,000.
Although off a much smaller base, Pethealth Inc. saw an almost six-fold increase - from 22,000 to 153,000 - in the same period.
AVMA spokesman Thomas McPheron said the concept was quickly catching on in the US.
"When you consider how many people have signed up ... it's pretty impressive," Mr McPheron said from Chicago.
"Definitely people are picking up on it pretty quickly here. It's really taken off in the last decade."
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