INTEGRATED PLANNING & POLICY
By legislation councils are generally required to prepare service or management plans that will guide council decision-making and service provision in relation to specific matters relating to domestic animals.
Some councils are choosing to address issues and opportunities that extend beyond the compliance requirements of state governments. Sometimes these are addressed in domestic animal management plans and/or they may be addressed in allied services planning documents and policy such as in:
- Public Health Plans
- Recreation and Physical Activity Plans
- Open Space Strategies
- Older Adults Plans
- Children and Family Plans, and even in
- Tourism and Economic Development Plans
These councils recognise the benefits and potential benefits that can accrue to individuals, families, communities and the economy because of pet ownership. They also recognise the challenges for families with pets when relationships breakdown and acknowledge welfare issues associated with animals in the community.
Consideration of these issues and opportunities may require additional resources, the reallocation of resources, collaboration with community groups or agencies. Alternatively, council may be best placed to play an advocacy or awareness/educational role.
Paws4Play has a checklist that can assist councils to:
- Identify internal stakeholders that should be involved in the effective planning for pet owners and pets in the community
- Identify community stakeholders that have the knowledge and expertise to add value to discussion around domestic pets
- Identify the issues that need to be considered in their jurisdiction
- Understand the implications of involvement by council, particularly in terms of resourcing
- Identify the role, if any, that council may play in addressing issues and embracing opportunities
