Pet Citizen Project: The university extension in pandemy periods

The university extension in pandemy periods

Abstract

Coexistence with pets brings many benefits to human beings, however, the lack of knowledge of responsible ownership fundamentals animals directly affects the well-being of all those involved, in addition to allowing an increase in abandonment and diseases transmission, posing a risk to public health, The Pet Citizen extension project (PROEX-UFAL) promotes education on dogs and cats’ health, well-being and zoonoses in schools and to tutors in situations of vulnerability in person. However, during the pandemic it underwent adaptations and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) made it possible to maintain education in an accessible and safe way for all. The objective of the project was to promote education on the care and health of dogs and cats, to animal tutors and interested parties using social media and radio programs, aiming to promote animal welfare, reduce mistreatment, abandonment, overpopulation, biting accidents. or transit and mainly, the transmission of diseases to other animals and to humans (zoonoses). Under coordination, veterinary medicine students were responsible for the creation and dissemination of microcontent disseminated on social networks (@petcidadão), radio stations in Maceió city and podcast files. Were made available 67 posts, 62 of which were own creations (50 audios and 12 videos), obtaining over 2,050 followers. The use of ICTs made it possible to maintain the dissemination of information created in the university environment to the community during the pandemic. A variety of content available on the Web allows the user to choose what, when or how many times he can access the content, adapting individual learning and to the interests of new generations, it has shown important benefits as an education tool.