Companion animals: The better to know our companions the better to live with them
As part of the Zoé Unit, One Voice is launching the ‘Animal Companionship’ programme. It aims to provide keys to understanding the lifestyle and nature of the animals that live alongside us, thereby establishing knowledge as an antidote to mistreatment.
‘Animal Companionship’ will be launched on Saturday, 7 December 2013, during a conference on cats led by Dr Nathalie Simon, a veterinary behaviourist. It will take place at 2 p.m. at the Maison Municipale du Bénévolat, 10 boulevard Marx Dormoy, 19312 Brive La Gaillarde, in the presence of the team from the Brive SPA shelter, a local partner of One Voice. From abuse to abandonment, violence against pets often stems from a lack of knowledge.
Within the Zoé unit, which is already combating proven acts of cruelty in the field – several farms have recently been convicted – One Voice has developed an educational approach aimed at taking early action to prevent the emergence of unintentional but abusive behaviour towards animals.
‘Animal Companionship’ is a programme run in conjunction with shelters and associations that are partners of the Zoé unit. It will focus on cats in 2014 and dogs from 2015 onwards.
In order to reach as wide an audience as possible, One Voice has chosen two tools: the publication of information leaflets and the organisation of conferences/training sessions led by Nathalie Simon. The daily life with animals will be discussed with the aim of highlighting the most appropriate actions in relation to them. These conferences will leave plenty of room for interaction with the audience. Aimed at everyone, they are also intended as a practical tool for future adopters, association staff or anyone who comes into contact with animals.