Policy

Companion Animals and Human Health and Wellbeing

AWLA Supports pet ownership as making an important and effective contribution to human health and wellbeing.

AWLA believes that the weight of evidence supporting the contention that caring for companion animals is beneficial to the health of humans is irrefutable. While some sources maintain that better physical health is no more or less likely to be enjoyed by pet owners, it is necessary to adopt a broader definition of health to include mental health, wellbeing and social engagement, as adopted by the World Health Organisation. Companion animals benefit children in the meeting their social needs and developing responsible behaviour; they help elderly people through providing unconditional affection and companionship; they have a positive impact on their owners/adopters whatever their age or particular characteristics.

AWLA advocates for the right of tenants to keep pets in rented premises, elderly people in aged care facilities and people with mental illness to have companion animals, and residents in multi-dwellings managed by body corporates, provided they can provide for the needs of animals; and supports law reform in all states to this effect.  Too many individuals and families are heartbreakingly separated from their animal companions because they cannot be accommodated in rental properties.

Key Areas of Advocacy

Rights of tenants to retain their companion animals in rental accommodation

Rights of those living in centrally managed aged care facilities to have companion animals

Rights of residents subject to the authority of a body corporate who are prevented from having a companion animal

Rights of homeless and mentally ill people to take companion animals into emergency and crisis accommodation

Responsible Breeding Practices

AWLA advocates responsible breeding practices to reduce the number of unwanted and unhealthy dogs and cats, and to prevent the unnecessary killing of companion animals. 

AWLA advocates for a nationally consistent breeder permit system so that all cats and dogs are responsibly bred and have responsible carers available for life.  Currently, companion animal breeding is largely unregulated and it is difficult to trace the origins of a particular animal to address irresponsible homing and poor breeding practices, as well as inhumane conditions of breeding.  A national breeder permit system will provide benefits to companion animals and also to companion animal owners, socially responsible breeders and sellers, veterinarians and whole communities. 

Key Areas of Advocacy

Anyone who breeds companion animals must have a permit

Breeders must pay for their permit

On application for a permit, an independent government inspection must be conducted

Inspections must be based on agreed regulated standards supported by detailed explanatory guidelines

All kittens should be desexed before sale or transfer unless the purchaser has a breeder permit

Subsidised desexing programs should be established for financially disadvantaged owners of companion animals

All breeder permit numbers must be publicly available

All breeding females and their litters must be microchipped and the breeder name, place of breeding, breeding parent microchip number recorded on government authorised microchip databases

All state governments to work towards national consistency in the above regulations

Adoption of Shelter Animals

AWLA advocates for the adoption of shelter animals as opposed to purchasing companion animals from pet shops, the Internet or backyard breeders.

Shelter adoption helps reduce the overpopulation and euthanasia of shelter/pound animals. When adopting from a shelter adopters can choose from a wide selection of kittens, puppies, cats, dogs and other companion animals, and receive expert advice from staff committed to finding the right match. As a result the adoption is more likely to be successful. Adopting from a shelter is also more economical as the cat/dog is already desexed, microchipped, vaccinated (up to date), wormed and parasite-treated and comes with a health guarantee. Adult animals are commonly already socialised and trained.

Key Areas of Advocacy

Benefits od adopting from a shelter

Promotion of particular advantages of adopting an older cat or dog

Advocacy for life-long adoption, or if circumstances change assistance in responsible rehoming of animals when necessary

Promotion of advantages of shelter adopting a community based 'Getting to Zero' [G2Z] approach to rehoming