Will pet ownership be reserved for the elite?
Edmonton Humane Society CEO, Stephanie McDonald recently posted an article that asks important questions for the future of pet ownership. Undoubtedly, members of the companion animal industry as well as pet owners are interested in this conversation. The article reviews issues around the rising cost of owning a pet.
McDonald notes the number and nature of surgeries taking place at Edmonton Humane has changed.
"The pressure on our shelter and our surgeons seems to increase each day," she said in the post. "It used to be that the shelter's clinic only booked spays or neuters; now it is a daily routine to perform several dentals and more complex surgeries such as orthopedics, amputations, wound repairs, eye enucleations, the list goes on and on..."
While McDonald is careful not to place blame, she wonders about options to keep healthy companion animals within the reach of lower income households.
- Obtaining alternate diagnosis
- Dispensing medications from other sources
A respondent to MacDonald’s article recommended pet health insurance as another way of eliminating or leveling health care costs.
Last fall at Summit 2012, the industry alumni developed a new conversation that continues under the leadership of Drew Van Niekerk. The conversation hopes to clearly define the Positive Pet Experience, to determine the barriers pet families encounter as they seek to achieve it and to develop strategies and tactics that resolve issues.
In April, the 2013 Regional Conferences will extend this conversation through four workshops across Canada. In the meantime, everyone sees costs are driving change in the pet industry paradigm. MacDonald’s blog contributes to a discussion which is likely to be the significant focus of Summit 2013 in October.
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