Human Animal InteractionsHuman Animal Interactions

Luke Gamble MRCVSLuke Gamble MRCVSWorldwide Veterinary ServiceWorldwide Veterinary Service

Animals and UsAnimals and Us

• Cultural interactions (religion, sport, food)Cultural interactions (religion, sport, food)• Professional interactions (services, work)Professional interactions (services, work)• Individual interactions (pets, companions)Individual interactions (pets, companions)• A mix of the above!A mix of the above!

Understanding this is keyUnderstanding this is key

to help us - help themto help us - help them

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Food sourceFood source

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Religious iconReligious icon

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Community pestCommunity pest

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Family petFamily pet

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Commodity to poach and sellCommodity to poach and sell

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Treasure to conserve and protectTreasure to conserve and protect

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Means to an endMeans to an end

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Valued friendValued friend

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Creatures to cage and exploitCreatures to cage and exploit

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Marvel of nature Marvel of nature

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

Danger to the publicDanger to the public

What do animals mean to us?What do animals mean to us?

A best friendA best friend

Charge of careCharge of care

Case study 1 - Indian donkeysCase study 1 - Indian donkeys

Charge of careCharge of care

Moral perception of animal welfareMoral perception of animal welfare

Charge of careCharge of care

Case study 2 - Saving livesCase study 2 - Saving lives

Charge of careCharge of care

Whatever it takesWhatever it takes

Charge of careCharge of care

Case study 3 - A cat sanctuaryCase study 3 - A cat sanctuary

Charge of careCharge of care

……with 300 catswith 300 cats

The lengths we go toThe lengths we go to

Extreme rescueExtreme rescue

When there is no one elseWhen there is no one else

Capacity 180 - total… 600Capacity 180 - total… 600

Understanding the bondUnderstanding the bond

Photo courtesy of Khageshwaar Sharma, HART, NepalPhoto courtesy of Khageshwaar Sharma, HART, Nepal

Key pointsKey points

Everyone has a Everyone has a opinion on animalsopinion on animals

Lack of understandingLack of understandingLack of resourcesLack of resources

Lack of optionsLack of optionsCan = indifferenceCan = indifference

As an animal charityAs an animal charity

Public / community Public / community support is essential to support is essential to

successsuccess

Promote something Promote something that appeals to that appeals to

everyoneeveryone

Message 1Message 1

Zoonotic diseaseZoonotic disease

- Protecting animals - Protecting animals protects childrenprotects children

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Message 2Message 2

ProductivityProductivity

Animals treated better- work harder- live longerAnimals treated better- work harder- live longer

Message 3Message 3

Animals can be our greatest friendsAnimals can be our greatest friends

RememberRememberThe worst offenders can be your biggest The worst offenders can be your biggest

championschampions

Far more people are good than badFar more people are good than bad

Persistence pays off!Persistence pays off!

Thank youThank you

And good luck!And good luck!