If you're in the UK and you're passionate about animals, check out the Pet Education Trust (PET):
A New Voice for Pets
Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership in Today’s Society
The UK has long been referred to as a nation of animal lovers and whilst that may still be the case, there seems to be a varying lack of basic knowledge exhibited by many pet owners when it comes to meeting our pets’ minimum needs. Too many pets still end up abandoned or placed into rescue centres because owners didn’t give serious consideration as to the type or breed of pet that would fit into their current lifestyle. Coupled with a lack of understanding and research also meant owners did not appreciate the time, effort or cost that would be involved introducing a pet into the family home.
The newly formed Pet Education Trust (PET) consists of a group of professional people from varying backgrounds and experiences who all share a love of animals. They strongly believe that all pets have a right to a life that is happy and free from threat. By combining their expertise, knowledge and passion with a meticulous emphasis on collating and providing relevant, factual and practical information, PET will endeavour to eradicate the growing number of pets that are misunderstood by uneducated owners.
PET pledges to educate, inform, guide and support all current and potential pet owners throughout the UK by offering a concentrated focus on what responsible pet ownership entails; whether it’s matching the right breed to the right owner in the right household via our unique ‘Which Pet for me’ website program; or by providing in-depth help and advice on specific pet issues from training to health; or by providing education in schools and to youth groups or by offering educational courses for vulnerable communities through our newly devised REAP (Recreational Education for Animals and People)program.
Naidre Werner, Managing Director of PET said: “We believe that every animal has a right to a happy, healthy life and it is our responsibility (as their owner) to provide that. The Animal Welfare Act states that we all have a duty of care to fulfil the welfare needs of our pets and the aim of PET is to make sure that people and organisations know, in the first instance, what those needs are before going on to learn how to fulfil them. For example, we believe, through proper education and training (of dogs and owners) the vast majority of incidents involving dog attacks could be prevented.”
According to the recent PDSA Animal Wellbeing Survey there are some 8.3 million dogs and almost 12 million cats in the UK. The findings within the survey agreed that owners’ affections toward their pet were often ‘misguided’ and that ‘A lack of education and awareness of the health and welfare needs of pets is at the heart of the problem.’
Naidre went on to add: “The role of the Pet Education Trust is to involve society as a whole in order to educate people about the value of our companion animals and how they fit within our lives – and us within theirs. But we need the public’s help to do this.”
If you would like to know more about the Trust then visit www.peteducationtrust.com. If you would like to make donations of money, food, products or even expertise then please contact Naidre Werner on 0845 257 2565 or email naidre.werner@peteducationtrust.com