Companion Animals Working Group

Documents - Workshop September 2007

Issue Statement - Companion Animals

1. Disease surveillance is generally limited to more common diseases.
   Canadians will likely have to face more issues in the future related to new and known animal diseases.  Changes in our climate and the increasing global movement of people, goods, animals and animal products will increase this likelihood.
   Canada should focus on preventative surveillance. Surveillance activities by all partners will need to consider any factors that could directly or indirectly impact animal health. 
   
   
2. More collaboration is needed among animal sectors, to distribute and make available information on diseases that are transmissible from companion animals to humans (zoonoses).
   Some animal diseases can be dangerous to humans.  Diseases such as rabies, toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis continue to be frequently diagnosed in humans who have been in contact with affected companion animals. Collaboration among all partners in both animal health and public health will inform and educate Canadians about these risks.
   
   
3. An outbreak of a zoonosis such as Avian Influenza (AI) can generate fear and anxiety.
   This anxiety can cause unjustified reactions toward animals that are not even susceptible to the disease. In some countries where AI has occurred, cats were abandoned, because of a fear that they might become infected and pass this infection onto people.
   Government and non-government organizations or agencies need to communicate consistent and clear messages whenever there is a risk to humans from a zoonotic disease.
   
   
4. There are no management plans to deal with companion animals during events requiring the evacuation of residents from communities.
   During recent events such as the 1997 ice storm in eastern Canada, the 2003 forest fires near Kelowna, British Columbia, and the 2005 hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, USA, a number of residents refused to leave their homes without their companion animals, risking their own safety, while other residents chose to abandon their pets.
   
   
5. The public is confused about what to expect from humane societies, given the lack of uniformity in their policies and interventions across Canada.
   The number of companion animals that are abandoned continues to increase. Guidelines to ensure that the public receives consistent information may reverse this trend. Humane societies and the public will then understand what needs to be done and how it will be accomplished. 
   
   
6. Not all pet owners have access to veterinary services.
   Access to veterinary services can be difficult for pet owners living in remote areas or who have limited financial means.  Some pet owners feel that they will have to choose between abandoning their animals or euthanizing them when an animal health issue arises. 
   Companion animals that live in remote areas often lack veterinary services altogether or the veterinary services may not have appropriate tools (technology, laboratory, transport, etc.).
   
   
7. The positive impact that animals have on people is not widely recognized.
   Companion animals positively impact human well-being.  This may include dogs working as guides for people with vision loss or animals used for therapy in mental health, healthcare or long-term care facilities. Contact with animals contributes to the continued active involvement of Canadians in our society. 
   
   
8. Canada does not have a well developed system to deal with pet food emergencies such as contamination.
   Canada does not have clear legislation and regulations to deal with pet food.  The pet food industry tends to rely on American standards to guide them in ensuring the composition and quality of their products. 
   The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has developed a quality assurance program for pet food, but this program is only voluntary.
   
   
9. Animals can play a valuable role as indicators of environmental and public health problems.
   It is not well recognized that companion animals can often be the first to be affected by contaminated water or air.
   
   
10. Companion animals are sometimes released into the wild.
    Although there is a recognized social responsibility for pet owners with respect to how their pets interact in the community, owners of companion animals are not usually aware of their legal responsibility for their pets.
    
    
11. Current legislation in the Criminal Code regarding the abuse of animals is considered outdated and inadequate.
    The legal status of companion animals is not clear.  The role of the government is insufficient in some areas, such as: training animals for fighting, dealing with animal cruelty offences and repeat offenders, or the voluntary neglect of companion animals.
    
    
12. Clear guidelines are needed, for animal cloning and genetic engineering, based on the beliefs and values of Canadians.
    Canada does not currently have clear guidelines for researchers regarding acceptable methodologies and practices to experiment with and manipulate the genetic make-up of animals.
    
    
13. Identification for companion animals to cross international borders can be difficult to obtain and is not harmonized among countries.
    Canadians, generally, do not consider the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a source of information related to companion animals moving across international boundaries. This type of information should be more accessible and distributed through a network of relevant partners. 
    
    
14. There is no Canadian organization that currently facilitates the sharing of important information related to companion animal health such as pet food recalls, and problems with drugs and vaccinations.
    Currently, there is no organization in Canada that is responsible for confirming information related to important animal health issues, such as problems with drugs or vaccinations, or for distributing it to all relevant partners in a timely manner. 
    The Internet makes it easy to reach a large group of people quickly, but the information may not always be accurate and consistent.