YourSAY™ 2012.5 - Canada's Thought Leaders Ponder Animal Welfare

The fifth public opinion poll of 2012 is reported. This report summarizes the YourSAY™ survey Powered by PetLynx™ that fielded May 17th to May 24th, 2012. Over time, the Canadian Companion Animal Industry has taken on the convention of labeling Animal Welfare an industry 'sector.' Here are the current industry sectors and their definitions:

• animal control/enforcement: those who administer licensing programs and by-law enforcement either privately or within a municipality
• animal health/wellness: veterinary clinics, emergency centres, behaviour, socialization and chiropractic
• animal welfare: humane societies, SPCAs and rescue organizations
• animal services: retailers, groomers, kennels, breeders, trainers, product manufacturers and all other service providers

Traditionally, those working for organizations such as the Humane Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rescue Societies, Animal Advocates and etc. have identified themselves as belonging to the Animal Welfare sector.  Each of these organizations have contributed to a broader understanding of Animal Welfare which now occupies the minds and hearts of pet families, service providers, retailers, veterinarians, animal care and control agencies and others who provide the infrastructure that companion animals rely upon. The vast majority of those involved in the provision of animals and the things they require for a happy, productive and sustainable lives now hold many of the same views on animal welfare. This widespread change in behaviors and culture now begs a question; Is Animal Welfare a sector of the industry or has it become an essential ethical element for everyone who is involved with companion animals?

Forty-eight respondents participated in the PetLynx™ YourSAY™ forum for 2012.5 featuring opinions about animal welfare. Participants included thought leaders representing all sectors of the industry in Canada. 

Highlights from YourSAY™ 2012.5:

• The vast majority of participants (94%) considered themselves involved in animal welfare.
• Participants felt the top elements associated with the principals of Animal Welfare were: cruelty intervention (90%), responsible breeding and spay/neuter (both 88%), and prevention/dealing with abandonment/ relinquishment/surrender (85%).
• The majority of participants felt that each industry sector listed below is involved in animal welfare: Animal welfare (96%), Animal Health and Wellness (85%), Animal Services (77%), and Animal Control and Enforcement (73%).
• Almost nine out of every 10 participants thought that animal welfare is an essential ethical element compared to 13 percent of participants who felt Animal Welfare is an industry sector.
• Distinguishing Animal Welfare as an industry sector varied by the industry sector participants identified themselves with.  One in every four in the Animal Welfare sector felt it was in fact a sector vs. an essential ethical element.
• Just over half of all participants felt that the Animal welfare sector should be renamed (54%), and 44 percent thought Animal Welfare should remain an industry sector.
• Those in the Animal Services and Control & Enforcement sectors were mostly in favour of re-naming the Animal Welfare sector. Those in Animal Health & Wellness were equally split, while the majority of those in the Animal Welfare sector were in favour of keeping the name.
• Thirty-five percent of participants chose ‘Other’ as a preference for re-naming the Animal Welfare sector. Followed by almost one in every four participants who chose either ‘Animal Shelter, Rescue and Advocacy’ or ‘Humane Advocacy, Shelter and Rescue.’
• A majority of respondents felt that animal welfare had a broad definition of actions, including overall care and well-being. Also about one in every four mentioned animal welfare advocacy. Almost one in three participants felt animal rights was a philosophical, ethical, or political stance versus animal welfare being more action oriented. Animal rights was also described as using controversial methods for advancing the cause and against pet ownership (both 23%).
• Participants felt that the CCAC – Canadian Council on Animals (62%), the 5 Freedoms (45%), and the NCC – Nature Conservancy of Canada (43%) were organizations that align most closely with the values of their organization.
• Thirty-seven percent of additional participant comments were based on the importance of the bottom line, focusing on advocacy for animals, 30% of participants mentioned that the entire industry needs to collaborate around animal welfare and 15% discussed public education.

Demographics of YourSAY™ 2012.5:

• Gender: 58% Female, 42% Male
• Age: 2% 20 years old or younger, 15% 21-35 years old, 33% 36-50 years old, 50% 51 and older
• Region: 40% Central, 21% Prairie, 21% Pacific, 19% Atlantic 
• Pets: 68% Dog owner, 55% Cat owner
• Industry: 42% Animal Welfare, 29% Animal Services, 17% Animal Health and Wellness, 8% Animal Control and Enforcement
• Executive Level: 33% C-Level Executive, 31% Senior Management, 18% Middle Management, 6% Individual Contributor, 17% Other

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.