Jamie Reaser
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 10:30-11:00
Invasive species are one of the most significant drivers of species endangerment and natural areas disturbance. Pet abandonment has become one of the most common pathways of vertebrate species introduction and one of the most challenging to address. In some cases, natural resource managers have been unable to manage these feral invasives due to litigation and even physical threats from animal rights groups. Prevention measures are thus the key to minimizing the size and impacts of the pet release pathway. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has joined with state and federal agencies, as well as other stakeholders, to develop and implement campaigns aimed at limiting the introduction of former pets into natural areas. These campaigns include: HabitattitudeTM, Bd-Free ‗Phibs, and the National Reptile Improvement Plan (NRIP). HabitattitudeTM aims to: 1) educate consumers on how to make wise pet choices (increases the likelihood of pet-owner compatibility), 2) provide resources to enable high standards in animal care and maintenance (increases the likelihood that animals will not become too large, costly, or numerous to maintain), and 3) encourage pet owners to choose among several alternatives to the release of their pets if problems do arise. Bd-Free ‗Phibs works to limit the spread of the highly invasive fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis among amphibian populations. NRIP helps to ensure that reptiles and amphibians are parasite free before they are distributed to pet retailers. Campaign messages are being promoted within pet stores, pet products, and industry-relevant magazines.
Keywords: INVASIVE SPECIES, PETS, PREVENTION, CAMPAIGNS