Pet Hate (working title)
Author: Roger Smith
What NEED does this meet?
It is estimated that only one in ten people in the UK own a dog. What impact does dog owning have on the remainder? Some commentators suggest that it is time to rethink the canines’ status as a pet. Is it time to bring back dog licencing? Is it time to ban dogs from social housing? Are dogs environmentally friendly? What’s in it for the animal? Is the sound of an animal’s distress vocalisations acceptable in a modern society?
Dog barking has been identified as the most annoying noise nuisance in a number of surveys. Pet ownership is an emotive issue but is it time to be rational and reappraise the relationship in the light of contemporary thinking and animal rights? The intention would be to serve both owners and non-owners in an effort to explore a controversial issue in a conciliatory way, and to to influence decision makers in planning and legislating.
What is the APPROACH?
The intention would be to invite informed comment and to start a constructive debate rather than polarise the argument. The website could be a single issue mini-parliament with elections for spokespeople who would then work together on committees. There could be a number of virtual PETitions where people could sign to support motions or concepts. People could design the ideal pet by voting for species and breed characteristics they value most highly. There would be standard fare too – forum, free desktops and e-cards to support the idea of enlightened pet ownership.
What are the BENEFITS to people?
Surveys describe health benefits from pet ownership, but one person’s benefit can be another person’s stress. Trying to introduce some science to the equation may lead to balance and progress. A discussion of ideas about our relationship with animals may be overdue, and could be significant in terms of helping people identify what is important in our relationships with each other. We will now hold hands and sing.
What is the COMPETITION?
Could this be less about having to win out? Some material has been produced and design has been contemplated so the project can go ahead in restricted form. Funding would make it better, to pay for the most critical input – time. The value of competition is only that one idea emerges as the one to support because it seems right for the time. This one is not necessarily innovative or groundbreaking, but it is an issue that has potential to produce different threads that have wider significance for human communities. It is sincerely hoped it is eclipsed, substantially.
What BUDGETS & LOGISTICS are required?
It depends on how many features and how interactive the website is. It can be supported with affiliate banners, or donations, or subscriptions. It could be supported by yourselves. It could benefit from a combination of these things. Experience in producing community or not-for-profit websites on a shoestring budget (http://www.learn.sky7.us and http://pledg.f2g.net) suggests that even modest funding can allow a site to have impact. Applying over £25,000 initially should help create and maintain a serious web presence with credibility, accessibility, and polish.
home: http://www.encodemedia.co.uk
Isn’t this a bit divisive?
Also – there are plenty of dog loving sites and dog hating sites onlien – some with forums – wh not just go on there?
Roger: hold hands and sing, whilst considering how dogs might get us to reappraise our human relationships? No offence, but this is totally barking (pun intended).
Surely amongst the critical social issues facing the UK (and the world) at present, the positive or negative effects of dog ownership cannot appear even amongst the top thousand. War, standards of living, homelessness, political disenfranchisement, corruption, the arms industry, electoral accountability, domestic abuse, ethical consumerism, human rights, cultural preservation, balancing profit with social needs – aren’t these more worthy of an obviously literate and intelligent writer such as yourself?