Auckland Conference A 'Must' For Animal Lovers

NEW ZEALAND COMPANION ANIMALS COUNCIL + SPCA AUCKLAND

For release: 22nd September 2009

Auckland Conference A 'Must' For Animal Lovers

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Next month's NZ Companion Animal Conference in Auckland has been described as a 'must' for animal-lovers.

The conference, which takes place on 5th and 6th October, at the Stamford Plaza (22, Albert Street), will bring together top international and local experts, to focus on key issues concerning animals and how they're treated.

"If you care about animals and their place in our society, then this conference is simply a 'must'!" says Bob Kerridge, Chairman of the New Zealand Companion Animal Council Inc., which is hosting the annual gathering.

"We've pulled out all the stops for our twentieth conference, with a stellar cast of animal experts amongst the speakers, along with politicians, lawyers and advocates for animals.

"However, the conference isn't just for experts but for everyone who loves animals. With this in mind, we'll be encouraging as many people as possible to have their say in open forum throughout the event. And, although we'll be looking at some serious and important issues, the conference will be anything but dull. There will be some superb video presentations and plenty of light moments.

"Top of the bill will be the world-renowned US ethologist and author, Marc Bekoff, who will focus on 'The Moral Lives of Animals'.

"Marc's researches point firmly to animals possessing not just intelligence but also a propensity to make conscious, ethical decisions. It's hard to underestimate the significance of these findings to all discussions of how we should treat animals.

"Sydney-based veterinarian, animal behaviour specialist and broadcaster, Dr Kersti Seksel, is also on the guest list and will talk about whether and how cats can be trained. In addition, as the current chair of the Australian Companion Animal Council, Kersti will contribute to our broader discussions on the place of animals in our society," Mr Kerridge adds.

"Another important guest will be the Minister for Local Government, the Hon.Rodney Hide, who will address the fraught issue of dog control. Many of us who work with animals see the establishment of the Auckland Super City as an opportunity for setting unified standards that the rest of New Zealand might chose to follow.

"There is, however, a danger that each of the twenty or so local community boards will be allowed to draw up its own dog control rules, compounding the confusion that already exists on this issue. We will be urging certainty and consistency on the Minister, at the 'Back Bite' session scheduled to follow his address to the conference (9.45 am, Tuesday 6th October), in which the public can have its say," he adds.

The conference will also bring together a panel of distinguished lawyers who recently agreed to work 'pro bono' on behalf of the SPCA. Facilitated by the Serious Fraud Office's Chief Prosecutor, Anita Killeen, the panel is to look at possible changes to the Animal Welfare Act and at issues such as whether the SPCA should be the only law enforcement agency not to receive taxpayer funding for bringing offenders to justice. This session commences at 4.00pm on Monday 5th October.

"We're expecting a similarly memorable session at 4.00 pm the following day, when we hear from Auckland brother and sister team, Michael and Liane Donovan, who visited the Chinese city of Chengdu this year, to deliver a cheque for $23,650 to the Animals Asia Foundation Sanctuary, home to nearly 200 Asiatic black bears, rescued from bile farms.

"This funding was donated by hundreds of generous New Zealanders in a campaign backed by SPCA Auckland and Animals' Voice magazine. It's being used to cover the cost of rescue and upkeep for the aptly-named bear, 'Assisi'," says Bob Kerridge.

"An estimated 10,000 bears on China's bile farms typically spend their lives lying flat in a cage no bigger than there own body and are 'milked'regularly for bile, via a steel tube driven, without anaesthetic, through the stomach into the gall bladder.

"It's horrifying to even think of the suffering of these bears but deeply gratifying to know that New Zealanders are willing to do something about it," he says.

Liane Donovan is to tell the conference of her and Michael's experiences on the trip, including their time with Assisi and other rescued bears and of their meetings with Animal Asia's inspirational founder, Jill Robinson. The presentation will also include film footage shot by Michael.

The NZ Companion Animal Conference commences at 12.30 pm on Monday 5th October. The cost of attendance is $130 for NZCAC members, $160 for non-members and $60 for students. Registration forms and further details are available from the conference website : www.nzcac.org.nz.

The New Zealand Companion Animal Council brings together a range of organisations and individuals concerned with animal issues, including welfare bodies, regulatory organisations, veterinarians and breeder associations.
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