New Brunswick Exotic Animals Task Force Provides Recommendations to Provincial Government

New Brunswick’s Exotic Animal Task Force provided their report focusing on the management of exotic animals to the provincial government. The Department of Natural Resources has accepted all recommendations and is creating a committee to implement them. Natural Resources Minister, Denis Landry said, “Our government is committed to ensuring that New Brunswickers live in the safest communities possible. We thank the Exotic Animals Task Force for their hard work and dedication on this matter, and we look forward to working with stakeholder groups and New Brunswick residents to implement their strategic recommendations.”

The report contains 29 recommendations that are grouped in themes:

• Interagency Coordination
• Inspection and Enforcement Framework
• Education and Communication
• Documentation of policies and procedures
• Legislation

In 2014, the Exotic Animals Task Force was given a mandate to:

• Review existing provincial legislation, regulations, programs, and policies.
• Identify weaknesses that concern human health.
• Create a report that provides specific recommendations as to how the existing regulations can be modified.

Bruce Dougan, Chair or the Exotic Animals Task Force said, “I thank everyone who worked on the task force. I believe we produced a report that will help strengthen laws and regulations for the province. I also thank everyone who provided us with their invaluable input and advice.”

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Editorial - Is our Culture Obsessed with Pets?

On Saturday, 03 August 2013, the Globe and Mail published a  article entitled 'The Pet Project'. Thanks to Globe and Mail staff (John Allemang, Alanna Mitchell, Andrew Westoll, and Hannah Sung) a picture of pets within our culture emerges. With information from the PetLynx, National Urban Animal Report and other sources, these articles show a society that now spends more money on pets than children.

Anthropomorphism is presented in a thought provoking manner together with other highlights, observations and problems. While the media attention is beneficial to the conversations within the Urban Animal Industry across North America, one wonders what sentiment the articles will generate from both the 'pro' and 'anti' pet groups who live in the modern urban municipality.

The deaths of two young boys in New Brunswick over the weekend will apply pressure to the conversations regarding exotic and 'wild' pets. However, this incident provides further evidence that overly simplistic solutions and knee jerk responses may not create or sustain healthy communities for pets and people. The Urban Animal Industry, needs to provide clear messages for legislators and urban planners while it strives to be less judgemental and more helpful toward the pet owners it serves.

All in, the Globe and Mail article illuminates the human animal bond. It is a timely and valuable contribution to the Urban Animal conversations. Once again the importance of the 2013 Urban Animal Summit has been underscored. Thought leaders of the Urban Animal industry can initiate and scale the innovation and strategies which address issues of a culture obsessed with pets. Perhaps these actions will develop a positive experience for the entire community.

Online Globe Article