Australian first lifts care levels for creatures great and small

The University of Queensland has launched a $2 million fundraising program to back Australia's first chair in animal welfare.

The move heralds appointment of a professor of animal welfare to provide independent expertise and promote teaching and research on issues as diverse as abattoir practices, feral animal control and management of beached whales and dolphins.
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The professorship will be based in the University's School of Veterinary Science, one of only four in Australia and the only one in Queensland. It produces 30 percent of the nations new vets each year.

The School has a long track record for research and welfare work through its Small Animal Clinic and this makes it a natural to host the new chair, according to Dr John Armstrong, president of the Animal Welfare Campaign Committee and former senior veterinarian with Standbroke Pastoral Company.

"Australia currently has almost no impartial, independent source of expertise in this area to support research, teaching and community service," he said.

"The chair won't be a law enforcement agency, but it will provide a scientific reference point on all aspects and areas of animal welfare."

Dr Armstrong said the initiative would provide direction to governments and to industries such as racing, entertainment, live export, aquaculture, and extensive and intensive animal farming.

It would also have relevance for wildlife park management, wildlife habitats and the disturbance of ecological niches by human development or natural disasters such as bushfires.

"Animal welfare is a major concern for all levels of government, industry, ecologists and members of the general public," he said.

"For instance, local councils face regular problems with dangerous dogs, controlling stray animals and just trying to educate the community on responsible pet ownership. The number of pets dumped or abandoned at this time of year is very alarming and a major animal welfare issue."

He said the pool of expertise available to the animal industries was shrinking as veterinary and animal science resources dwindled in Australia's universities, research organisations and government regulatory and extension services.

"Our meat and live export industries in particular need this service as our trading partners are becoming increasingly vigilant about animal welfare issues," he said.

"And this is just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, where there are animals involved, there are animal welfare issues which need to be addressed."

For more information, contact Saira Champion at the University's Development Office (telephone 07 32216686) or Moya Pennell, UQ Communications (telephone 3365 2846).