Animal Enrichment at Home - Pets
A wolf catches a whiff of an unfamiliar scent and prowls the
exhibit tracking down faint traces of cinnamon. Steps away, a
tiger pounces on a freshly cut tree branch and uses her sharp
claws to shred the bark off the trunk. Turns out, wolves and tigers
have plenty in common with dogs and cats. So it's not much of
a stretch to apply some of the Zoo's enrichment principles to
pets.
A commitment to animal welfare is behind the Zoo's new initiative
to promote pet enrichment. The Zoo encourages pet owners to carefully
consider the individual needs of their animals and customize their
own "pet-richment" plan, just like the zookeepers do.
Responsible pet ownership starts with choosing the right pet.
How about a python, a piranha or a tiger? Exotic animals usually
aren't the best choice. For starters, it's difficult to provide
a safe and enriched environment for the animal. The animal could
pose a physical threat to the owners' safety. Purchasing an exotic
animal could contribute to the illegal international pet trade
or even lead to the extinction of that species in the wild. Sticking
with domestic breeds supports animal conservation.
Make a Plan
Sound science is at the heart of the Zoo's enrichment process.
Zookeepers draw up careful plans for each animal, identifying which behaviors to encourage or discourage.
The Zoo's enrichment committee brings animal care, veterinary,
and research staff together to approve, implement and evaluate
each plan. Enrichment sounds complicated but visitors don't need
to be scientists to better their pet's life. Pets can benefit
from methods already put into practice at the Zoo.
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Pick up a Creature Comforts -Enrichment Tips for Pets brochure at the Zoo or download a copy here to help you customize a pet-richment plan for your pet. Pet enrichment materials are made possible by a grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust. |
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Animal Connections