Welcome (again, with gratitude) to our members and a special welcome to new readers who have arrived here because of the Daily Telegraph article. If you are, were or want to be a pet owner, and support what we do (even if not HOW we do it), I ask you to JOIN. By joining (for less than a bag of premium pet chow), you make your vote count.If you think pets are dirty, not-welcome in cities, or that they are all owned by irresponsible people, I offer you the following to consider:
Independent research (facts) show that the vast majority of pet owners are 'responsible' and aware of their obligation to share our community resources.
- Pet owners make a significant contribution to our national economy.
- Overwhelming evidence exists of the utilitarian value of pets (mostly dogs) to the aged, infirmed, disabled and to building community.
- Yep, there are 'idiot' owners just like there are parents who let their kids act illegally, men who feel a need to urinate in public stairwells, and people who chose to be violent towards another person or to break into their personal space.
- There are also 1 out of 5 Australians who suffer from a disability and effects of certain disabilities can be commonly misunderstood. (Bi-polar folks are amongst many of our top achievers).
- Lastly, a fact that few want to accept because 'blame the dog' is so much easier, is that a child is at least ten times more likely to be injured at the hand of their parent or guardian than a dog.
- Lastly, another fact that is unwelcome in the media, is that the largest category of dog owner is a family with children.
Barking Mad accepts your view of pets and asks you to respect ours. If you support our work, please make a donation. Even a charity can't work without $. Each week I hear the stories of support that pets have provided in difficult times. Would people be left alone to die in a unit if they had a pet? My bet is that the pet would raise the alarm.
