Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on Saturday, collaborated with University Federation Welfare Club (UFWC) to launch the Animal Welfare Club at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Prof Iyabode Dudusola, an Associate Professor who doubles as the Head of Department (HOD), Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture of the institution, called on the public to ensure they value their pets.
The topic at the launching was “Understanding Animal Welfare: The What, When, Why and How”.
Dudusola was represented by Prof. Adeolu Odedire, an Associate Professor of Animal Science.
She called on all and sundry to associate, value and respect their animals generally, saying that “people need to understand that although animals cannot communicate the way we understand, they also communicate.”
According to her, “animals communicate to show their feelings and because they have feelings, “we need to understand that they also have their moments of joy and pains.”
Dudusola stressed that pets behave more responsibly than we expect, if we treat them well.
“We should be concerned about their environment and mental state of mind and state of their well being.
“Once we give them a minimum comfort, they would behave well more than expected,” she ascertained.
Dr Soji Abiola, a lecturer in Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, said most rearers lack understanding of feelings of these pets.
Abiola explained that giving pets a little more consideration in whatever they do, would make them respond better than what they’ve been experiencing.
“We should not just think that they are just animals, for they have their feelings and they have their thinking, We need to handle them with care.
“We need to cater for them in terms of feeding, good housing and giving them sound health so they can interact with us. They can be one of our best friends especially our pets,” he stated.
According to him, “if people handle their animals with utmost care, they will surely cooporate with us. I urge people to get used to the health of their animals.”
The lecturer asked people to vaccinate their animals as at when due, consult their veterinarian so that they’ll be able to look holistically into their welfare.
Abiola charged people to feed their animals very well and ensure they are always healthy.
Also, Dr Oluwaseyi Ayoola, Animal Welfare Enthusiastics, who doubles as a lecturer at Bowen University, Iwo, charged researchers to handle their animals with care.
Ayoola said that animals used in research, development and consumption should be well managed and of good standard.
He lamented the lack of law guiding the use and welfare of animals in Nigeria, saying that they are coming up with something along that line.
“Researchers should inculcate these three aspect in managing their pets – replacement, refinement or reduction.
“The environment, human and the interaction are the bedrock of what comes for us, saying that Ebola outbreak, Lassa fever outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic testified that we need to take care of our animals,” he explained.
Ayoola called on readers, consumers and researchers to ensure that their animals must be well taken care of.
“The way we handle our pets will determine the quality of nutrients we get from them when they are slaughtered.
“Researcher will not just handle our animals with cruelty. They have to be well catered for,” the lecturer maintained.
Dr Olanike Oyebamiji, a Staff Adviser, Welfare of Animal Club, who doubles as lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said that Animal Welfare Club is a University Wide Club.
Oyebamiji said that the club would allow students to know what animal welfare is all about and need to know the way to treat animals.
The Staff Adviser said the importance of the inauguration is to sensitize people around OAU community on how to handle their animals.
Oyebamiji called on people to be knowledgeable about animal welfare issues, for it is necessary for them to get educated on how to treat them well.
