Making Victoria better for pets
In 2013 and 2014, a total of 2,362 Victorian owners of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rats, mice, guinea pigs, ferrets, lizards, snakes, turtles and frogs were surveyed to measure how well pet owners understood their animals' welfare needs.
The research found that many pets don't get all the care they need to stay happy and healthy. There’s a lot to learn about caring for pets and better informed pet owners will lead to healthier and happier pets in Victoria.
The 5 key welfare needs of animals are:
- Environment — the need for a suitable environment (place to live)
- Diet — the need for a suitable diet
- Behaviour — the need to express normal behaviour
- Companionship — the need to consider your pet's social needs
- Health — the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
All pet owners have a responsibility to protect the welfare of their animals. This includes:
- feeding them the right type of food
- looking after their health
- meeting their environmental and social needs.
Learn more and make Victoria a better place for your pets:
- Your cat's welfare needs
- Your dog's welfare needs
- Your bird's welfare needs
- Your rabbit's welfare needs
- Your ferret's welfare needs
- Your guinea pig's welfare needs
- Your rodent's welfare needs
- Your frog's welfare needs
- Your reptile's welfare needs.
References
Bennett, P.C., Mornement, K., & Howell, T. (2015). Pet-care practices in Victoria, 2014: a survey of lizard, snake, turtle, and frog owners. Unpublished report, La Trobe University, Australia.
Bennett, P.C., Mornement, K., & Howell, T. (2015). Pet-care practices in Victoria, 2014: a survey of rat, mouse, guinea pig and ferret owners. Unpublished report, La Trobe University, Australia.
Bennett, P.C., Mornement, K., & Howell, T. (2013). Pet-care practices in Victoria, 2013: a survey of bird, cat, dog and rabbit owners. Unpublished report, La Trobe University, Australia.