Animal Ethics and Welfare: a communication strategies workshop for industry professionals

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group is delighted to invite industry professionals to a three-day course that will explore effective communication with the broader public. 

Control and management of declared pests is becoming increasingly difficult and complex. Increasing urbanisation and decreasing acceptance of lethal control methods is putting pressure on public land managers to protect the community from the effects of declared pests, while reducing the options they have to do so. 

The effects of declared pests are wide-ranging, affecting those who live in both urban and rural environments. Declared pest control is no longer solely the remit of rural communities - in fact, the majority of declared pest queries and reports received by PHBG come from urban and peri-urban areas. 

Effective engagement with the members of the community allows firm, clear messages to be shared and understood despite the diverse concerns of landholders. Productive conversations about ethics and animal welfare can be had with concerned members of the public with the right approach. 

Join Dr Ben Allen, a lifelong scientist and an experienced wildlife ecologist, conservationist and program manager, as he walks you through the nuanced ethics and welfare of lethal pest animal management, including community engagement and discussing emotive topics with both individuals and groups. 

The workshop

Dr Allen will present Animal Ethics and Welfare Communications Strategies over three days in November. 

Dates: 25-27 November 2025

Location: The Atrium Hotel, Mandurah

Program:

• Day 1: Ethics and Communications - the tools you need to effectively respond to ethical arguments, improve your ability to communicate, ethically justify feral animal control, and inform decision-making processes amongst peers and the community regarding feral animal control.

• Day 2: Ethics and Communications (REPEAT). This is a repeat of Day 1. Choose whether you would like to attend either on November 25 or 26. There is no need to attend both Day 1 and Day 2.

• Day 3: Case Studies - detailed case studies provided by Dr Allen with in-depth discussion, plus the opportunity to discuss a case study of your own with Dr Allen and other attendees. 

You do not have to attend all three days. You may attend only one day if you wish.