Dr. Rebecca Ledger writes for the Vancouver Sun about animal welfare issues including animal legislation, pet care/health, and animal behaviour. Her articles may also be found in the National Post, the Leader Post, the Calgary Herald, The Star Phoenix, The Windsor Star, the Montreal Gazette and the Ottawa Citizen. Dr. Ledger is also active on her Twitter account and in in the process of creating her Animal Behaviour and Welfare Consulting website.
Dr. Ledger is a Faculty Member at Langara College, teaching Basic and Advanced courses in animal behaviour, animal welfare, animal law and business. She was awarded her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of London, her Masters Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare from the University of Edinburgh (The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies) and her Doctorate in the assessment and treatment of behavioural disorders in shelter dogs from Brunel University.
InfoStream (IS): Your passion for animals is evident; tell us more about how this came to be.
Dr. Rebecca Ledger (DRL): I was just born this way! I can't remember a time when I wasn't drawn to animals and experienced a respect for them. I was lucky that my family were like-minded and nurtured this calling.
IS: The pet experience is big for you. Tell us about your pets.
DRL: We have a dog (Poppy, a 2 year old English Springer spaniel), a rescue cat called Gilly (11 years old) and recently we adopted two stray guinea pigs, Guiness and Fred. The g-pigs had been abandoned by a bus stop and were picked up by Vancouver Animal Control.
IS: How do you use media in the pet industry?
DRL: I have a privileged opportunity to write animal related articles for PostMedia. The articles are published biweekly in the Vancouver Sun, and often picked up by the other newspapers. So far, the articles have been reprinted in the The National Post, Ottawa Citizen, the Leader Post, Montreal Gazette, the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal and the Windsor Star and the Star Phoenix. This provides an opportunity to bring animal-related news to the whole of Canada. It is astounding how many people these stories reach, both in print and on-line.
IS: What is the main focus/goal of your use of digital media?
DRL: To bring science-based information on animal health, animal behaviour and animal welfare to Canadians. There are plenty of non-science based opinions on 'the internet', pushing practices that are actually bad for animal welfare. My goal is to help Canadians make evidence-based, informed, effective and humane decisions regarding their pets.
IS: What do you see as the greatest risk for the pet industry as you know it? What is your greatest concern?
DRL: Overall, I have fewer concerns now than I did 10 years ago. Things are progressing and generally getting better. Dog over-population and humane training is getting better. And, I find that owners are now also better informed on positive pet keeping practices than they were before. But, some challenges still exist. Cat over-population and the management of feral populations is still a challenge. So too is where pet seekers should acquire their new pets from. As Canadians are becoming more responsible at spay / neutering and pet identification, so the number of adoptable pets in shelters is going down. This is good for pet welfare. So, where are owners getting their next pet from now? We are seeing an increase in un-regulated rescue groups and owners taking on challenging pets that have not been adequately vetted. I see owners with these challenges daily in my practice.
IS: What in your history has taken you to where you are now?
DRL: A very convoluted and complex career path, which I'm not sure could ever be easily replicated! Apart from years of study (a BSc in Biology, a MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Animal Welfare, a PhD in the behavioural assessment and treatment of dogs with behavioural disorders and three Fellowships in animal behaviour & animal welfare), I have had the good fortune to work with some of the best animal welfare scientists and organizations in the world, across Europe and North America. I think that the diversity of animal organizations that I have had the privilege to work with has given me both a deep and broad understanding of the field. These include humane organizations, Universities, the military, sled dog companies, pharmaceutical companies, pet food companies and the veterinary profession.
IS: What motivates you to share your knowledge to promote the well-being of pets?
DRL: The positive impact that I see it having. Seeing first hand how knowledge can transform how someone understands and manages their pet for the better makes it all worth while. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a pet and their owner live a happier, less stressful, more fulfilled life as a result of something you been able to teach them.
IS: Thank you!
The Digital Journalist category was introduced to the Urban Animal program in 2015. The intent of the Digital Journalist category is to illuminate those who deliver digital images and information to audiences in urban municipalities. These individuals are instrumental in the development of public opinion, culture and behaviours for a healthy, wholesome environment for Urban Animals (human and non-human). The winner this year is…
