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Pet Owners Urged To Take A Walk Next Sunday

Pet owners are being urged by Latrobe City Council to join in a pet walk with their animals on the Moe Yallourn Rail Trail, being held at 10.30am on Sunday 16 March.

By Latrobe City Council - 11th March 2008 - Back to News

The pet walk will launch the ‘Ted Basarke Mercy Foundation’ a local organisation recently formed, raising community and government awareness of the proven therapeutic value of companion pets. At the same time the walk will introduce many people to the Moe Yallourn Rail Trail, one of the region’s most outstanding recreation facilities.

 

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, said the Sunday pet

walk would also offer the opportunity for pet owners to chat with council’s local laws officers about new requirements on microchipping and desexing of animals, and responsible pet ownership.

 

Between 9am and 10am Moe Veterinary Centre staff will also be attending and offering a microchipping service for cats and dogs at a discounted rate of $30.  All cats and dogs aged three months or more being registered for the first time with council are currently required to be microchipped. Additionally, from April 2009 any dog being reregistered with council will need to have been microchipped.

 

Cr Lougheed said the value of companion animals to people’s wellbeing was often underestimated. "There are numerous examples of people facing terminal illness having their spirits lifted after bonding with a companion animal. Companion animals also help children develop a sense of responsibility, and provide an important source of company for the lonely," Cr Lougheed said.

 

"It’s probably no surprise to dog owners that a dog is certainly mans’ best friend when it comes to activity motivation. As a consequence, studies show that dog owners enjoy almost twice as much walking exercise as non dog owners, and that’s got to be beneficial for health. 

 

"Few dog owners can resist the odd hint or three, such as those pleading eyes watching their every move, the sad sigh of feigned neglect, and then the excitement their pooch

displays as we reach for the lead, which confirms it’s time for ‘walkies’," Cr Lougheed added. 

 

Latrobe City’s acting manager local laws, Steve Wright, said research from the ‘Dogs and Physical Activity’ study conducted at the School of Population Health at the University of Western Australia, showed dog owners are 68 per cent more likely to achieve the recommended level of physical activity per week than non-dog owners.

 

"Other results from the study showed that the presence of dogs in a community helps to create perceptions of neighbourhood friendliness, as our four-legged friends are the perfect reason to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and chat to other dog walkers. Interestingly, dog owners also perceived their closest park or bushland in their neighbourhood to be closer to home than non-dog owners," Mr Wright said.

 

The pet walk commences from the Moe Tennis Club in the Moe Botanic Gardens. Enter via Dinwoodie Drive. The suggested walk is from the tennis club along the rail trail to Old Sale Road and return. Entry is free, but gold coin donation towards the Ted Basarke Mercy Foundation will be appreciated. All dogs must be on a lead.

 

 

 


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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