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Do you know that cats and dogs can live
up to 20 years? A terrapin’s lifespan is
even longer — over 20 years. Koi fish can
live past 40 and some birds can even live till
70! However, not all pet owners are prepared for
such a long-term commitment. As a result, many
pets are abandoned every year. Sherry Nee, Senior
Animal Welfare Education Officer at the Agri-Food
and Veterinary Authority (AVA), wants people to
realise the responsibilities that come with keeping
pets.
While pets can be beneficial to people,
not everyone is suited to be a pet
owner, said Sherry. Besides being prepared to spend money on food, training,
grooming, regular check-ups and vaccinations, pet owners must also provide adequate
space, love, attention and long-term care for
their pets.
Many owners buy pets when they are young and look small and cute. But when the
animals grow bigger, some owners get tired of them and throw them away, oblivious
to the consequences.
For example, some people release terrapins into ponds. This upsets the ecology
in the ponds. Moreover, the terrapins, which are not used to finding food for
themselves, may not survive long in the wild. As for abandoned dogs, they risk
falling sick and being knocked down by cars. If the animals do not find new homes,
they will be put down.
Sherry’s role is to educate members of the public, especially
students, on pets. She gives talks at schools and during events and
exhibitions. She also hosts visits to the Centre for Animal Welfare
and Control (CAWC) where participants can get a chance to handle
cats, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.
Since joining AVA in 2001, Sherry has given around 250 talks to students
on many topics including stray animals, the different types of pet
animals, how to handle pets and being a responsible pet owner. The
talks are customised for audiences ranging from kindergarten children
to tertiary students. Sherry will also develop the contents to cater
to the particular needs of schools.
Facing a restless and sometimes rowdy crowd of 1,000 to 2,000 students
during assembly time can be very challenging. Sherry has to continually
find new and creative ways to capture the students’ attention.
To further promote pet education, Sherry set up a website (www.ava.gov.sg/aweb)
that offers plenty of information and useful resources. She expanded
the library at CAWC by acquiring books, videos and overseas magazines.
She also picked up desktop publishing on her own, and wrote and designed
brochures, flyers and a children’s book which are all available
online.
Animals have always had a special place in Sherry’s heart.
She explained, “Animals are innocent. They don’t scheme
or make plans to harm you. Their thoughts are very simple. They are
consistent — they won’t love you one day and hate you
another day. They are not fickle, like humans. You can talk to them
and you feel that you have a friend — one that doesn’t
criticise or lecture you.”
Sadly, in the course of her work, she often encounters people with
various misconceptions.
She said, “When I show children a picture of an abandoned and
abused dog and ask them if it will find a new home, they’ll
say ‘Yes’. And when I ask them if their pet will find
a new home if they don’t want it any more, they’ll say ‘Yes.
It costs money you know, someone else will want it.’”
Moreover, some adults contribute to the problem of abandonment by
breeding their pets to sell to pet shops or just for the experience.
Sherry said, “Unfortunately, their pet’s offspring are
not guaranteed good homes or they may deprive those pets which need
good homes.
“Also, parents influence how their children treat animals.
If parents do not have respect for animals, it’s very likely
that their children will not too.”
While mindsets take time to change, Sherry hopes her efforts will
eventually drive home the message that animals have feelings too
and deserve our care and respect. |
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For posters,
worksheets, brochures, articles and
information on AVA’s pet education
programmes,
check out
www.ava.gov.sg/aweb. |
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