Local government plans mass culling campaigns throughout the year that generally last for 15 days, particularly on summer time or whenever the number of dogs increase. City workers shoot, poison, torture and kill dogs day and night under the guise of lowering animals’ number in urban areas and preventing the spreading of diseases, but the only result they obtain is causing unacceptable pain and suffering to innocent sentient beings when alternatives subsist.

The Tunisian Government keeps ignoring the so many appeals, petitions, and open letters of national associations, international organizations, local volunteers and animal lovers across the world demanding to consider the implementation of an ethical method for controlling the stray dog population rather than brutally kill animals on a regular basis. After years of culling, the government should at least recognize the null result of this activity and the huge waste of money. Money that could instead be used for a much more effective spaying and neutering programme if the real target is to reduce the number of animals roaming out of control. This approach will be at first respectful for animals and will bring positive result in each community.

OIPA International and other animal protection organizations have recently co-signed a letter (👉 Lettre Presidence de la Republique Tunisie Décembre 2021), addressed to the Tunisian President Kaïs SAÏED, asking once more to replace the mass killing of stray animals with ethical and humane alternatives; strengthen animal protection laws; punish animal cruelty and abuse, and educate people to respect other living beings.

The letter submitted by Tunisia Animals Voice group, followed a report created by the European Link Coalition that outlined to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child how exposure to animal abuse badly affects children.

Although the few volunteers, associations, shelters and animal lovers who work on site try their best to rescue and protect stray animals, they have no financial support and not enough place to save and keep all animals out of danger. In spite of that, they are strong enough to keep fighting for animal rights. Their greatest desire is to change people’s mind and the perception towards stray animals, starting from children and youth.

CALL TO ACTION✍️SEND YOUR PROTEST BY EMAIL

L'articolo TUNISIAN AUTHORITIES KEEP ON KILLING STRAY DOGS. OIPA CO-SIGNS A JOINT LETTER ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO STOP! SEND YOUR PROTEST proviene da OIPA.

ARC offers FREE rescue service to animals reported dumped, poisoned, abused and neglected. Dedicated vehicles transfer them to the rescue centre in Paphots where first-aid medical care can be given. Many animals are often in need of urgent veterinary treatment, that’s why the vet team is available 24/7 in an effort to save as many lives as possible. The association also provides FREE Trap-Neuter-Release programme to all stray cats on the island and EDUCATIONAL programmes in schools to teach children and youth how to look after and care for animals and above all how to RESPECT them.

The work at the shelter and at the clinic never ends, but many times resources are too scarce and without help animals cannot survive. ARC staff and volunteers guarantee the daily running of the organization and ensure the wellbeing of animals, but it’s never enough!

ANIMALS NEED CONTINOUSLY SUPPORT

If you want to help Animal Rescue Cyprus, check their website and FB page

You can also donate to us and support the project “Save a Stray”

L'articolo ANIMAL RESCUE CYPRUS, THE LARGEST SHELTER IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, HOME TO MORE THAN 1400 ANIMALS proviene da OIPA.

The amendment includes a permanent ban on breeding, reproduction and killing of all species exploited for their fur such as minks, foxes, racoon dogs and chinchilla. In Italy, over 60,000 minks were killed every year

Furthermore, amendment calls for the dismantling of the last five remaining mink farms and other five facilities (here there are already no animals) by June 30, 2022.

The Government will grant indemnities to breeders up to a maximum of 3 million euros for the closure of each farm and for the ecological conversion to be assigned by 31 January 2022.

A Decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, to be issued no later than 31st January 2022, will regulate procedures for eventual change of ownership, sterilization and detention of minks from former fur farms to sanctuaries/shelters preferably managed directly or in collaboration with recognized animal rights associations.

OIPA has been fighting for years to put an end to this anachronistic and cruel industry claiming for the closure of fur farms still active in some regions of Italy and demanding the relocation and rehabilitation of animals. We all know that animals in these farms live in very poor hygienic conditions and they are exposed to extreme stress from the birth to their killing being forced to a narrow captivity in hellish places. These farms clearly remind the so-called wet-markets where it seems the Sars-Cov-2 infection started in fact even in mink farms there have been outbreaks of covid-19.

A victory, an important step towards a truly ethical economy, a much more civil society and the recognition of animals as sentient beings

L'articolo ANOTHER VICTORY FOR ANIMALS! ITALY BANS FUR FARMING proviene da OIPA.

Both dogs have been seized and their owner is now under investigation for animal abuse. He is accused of keeping animals in conditions not compatible with their nature’ and causing them a ‘grave suffering’.

Thanks once more to OIPA Italy’s animal control officers for saving other two lives. Our animal control officers are volunteers who operate in cases of animal cruelty and abuse 

L'articolo TWO ELDERLY DOGS KEPT ON A CHAIN AND SEVERELY NEGLECTED HAVE BEEN SEIZED BY OIPA ITALY’S ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS proviene da OIPA.

Have you ever tried the feeling of being sick and in need of care but everybody keep passing by without even looking at you? That’s for sure a terrible sensation, but this is what stray animals are forced to bear! Some of them will not survive, but some others will be so lucky to find a rescuer on their way. Belik was one of them.

Our volunteer in Azerbaijan found him in very bad condition: weak, underweight, full of fungus and with a severe respiratory infection. Two vets did not understand what was wrong with him, but the third was able to find the reason. Belik was tested for FHV (Feline Herpes Virus), but he resulted positive for FCV (Feline Calici Virus), one of the most common viral pathogens of cats. This virus is highly contagious and can cause from mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease, which was the case of Belik.

First symptoms look like a cold with sneezing, nasal congestion, fever, sometimes drooling and a large amount of discharge coming from eyes and nose. In the worst cases, cats can also develop inflammation and ulcers on the tongue and the lining of the mouth but also lethargy, mild lameness and lack of appetite.

Belik has been under treatment for a long period. At the vet facility, he received daily care such as antibiotics, vitamins, drops and gel for eyes in order to reduce and slowly heal the infection.

Now, he seems a “brand-new” cat! He is getting better and has appetite. He’s just treated with drops, eye gel and an antifungal cream. He will stay some more time at the care facility until his full recovery.

❤️ If you want to support the medical care and treatment for Belik, you can make a donation writing “Belik – OIPA Azerbaijan” ❤️

L'articolo OUR DELEGATION IN AZERBAIJAN SAVED THE LIFE OF BELIK, A CAT WITH A SEVERE RESPIRATORY INFECTION. AFTER A LONG THERAPY, HE’S GETTING BETTER proviene da OIPA.

We are proud to announce the 2^nd release of the docufilm “My Pet Story” successfully created by our OIPA India Representative in Marahasha state Mr. Vishal Sakhala (#VS).

The first episode “Chosen” was about a retired colonel from the Indian Army who decided to dedicate his life to animals by adopting with his family six stray dogs (some of them with special needs) and creating a charity dedicated to animal in need.

This time with “Saviour” you will be speechless! In a Country afflicted by a heinous civil war, not only humans suffered tremendously but also animals and the environment have been seriously affected. During the post-war reconstruction phase, animals has gone through terrible suffering but this girl is trying with all her efforts to raise the voice for stray and wild animals.

A highly emotional and inspiring story of an extraordinary and brave girl called Havin, an animal activist who lives in Northern Syria, and all the homeless animals she cares for despite strict prohibitions, war, economic crisis and the fact she is “only” a woman. A person so special and unique. A girl who loves so much animals to risk her life every day, because they have no voice and no rights and for them she is their only hope and saviour.

(Full story first release ⏳ on 19 December on YouTube)

Get in touch with Havin to support on her Instagram page

💙 IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL STORY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE,

SEND AN EMAIL TO international@oipa.org 💙

L'articolo SAVIOUR, THE STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ANIMAL ACTIVIST IN NORTHEN SYRIA proviene da OIPA.

Homeless animals in the UAE continue to be cruelly abused and mistreated. There is no respect for their life, their suffering and their pain. They have no rights! They are invisible in a country known worldwide for his wealth, luxury and ostentation.

Together with Uae Animals International we demand the UAE authorities to:

🔹 implement laws against animal cruelty and abuse;

🔹 apply severe punishments to those found guilty,

🔹 give animals the rights they deserve

🔹 urgently adopt TNR programmes to keep control and manage ethically and successfully on the long term the population of stray animals without killing them

🔹 educate citizens to respect and protect animals

It’s time for a change!!!

You can help us buy food for homeless animals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, even with a small donation (just specify “Food for stray animals in UAE or “Project Save a Stray)

L'articolo THE LIFE OF HOMELESS ANIMALS IN UAE. ANOTHER CASE OF BRUTAL CRUELTY proviene da OIPA.

The main goal is to rescue and feed strays of Tuzla in Bosnia and try to find adoption for some of those dogs. Throughout the years, they have managed to relocate many dogs to new homes – mostly in Holland, Denmark & Germany.

They own 3 mini “no kill” shelters in Bosnia and Herzegovina where about 30 rescued dogs are well cared for. These shelters are located in the gardens of some caretakers, so the dogs can be monitored 24/7. All dogs are spayed/neutered, have passports, microchip and vaccination. Shelters host also senior dogs, dogs with metal traumas or physical problems and for which the adoption is very rare. For these dogs, MDFB tries to make their life as much comfortable and beautiful as possible.

The first mini shelter is called “Dawn`s Nest” and it houses up to 9 dogs. The facility has kennels and an old renovated 2-rooms house. One room is for quarantine and the other reserved to old dogs and puppies where heat is provided in wintertime. The shelter has also a tiny pool, which makes dogs really happy during summer. A man who is a veterinary technician runs this shelter and this place is a little heaven.

The second mini shelter is called “PuppyVille” and hosts small or younger dogs. Dogs can rehabilitate and socialize faster here and usually are easier to adopt because of their size and age. Last year volunteers built a new room with tiles and heat to help small dogs get through winter easier.

The third mini shelter is called “Neverland” where feral and traumatized dogs can spend their days outside but then sleep safe and inside the indoor kennels. There are 13 dogs in this shelter now. Some of these dogs have been traumatized by dog catchers, some others have been used as baits in dog fights and even though they are afraid of humans, they are at the same time happy in their packs and love to play. The caretaker is an elderly man and his wife whom they trust and know.

What makes things hardest for the association are adoptions of dogs that are healthy and socialized but have some small behaviour issues – as not liking cats. This makes things really hard and they have so many good dogs sitting in a cold kennel for years. Therefore, while they battle to find for them good homes, it`s been very hard to provide all these dogs food. Donations are never enough to cover dogs needs and food transportation from Denmark to Bosnia is expensive and complicated.

The association  is really in need for food not just to feed dogs they have in their mini shelters, but also to feed the so many stray dogs roaming the streets, without food these dogs will not survive. There are also a number of dogs who, due to injuries and age cannot eat dry food so wet food is necessary.

YOUR HELP IS NECESSARY TO HELP KEEP DOGS IN TUZLA SAFE AND GUARANTEE THEM A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

How to help?

➡ You can donate for our project “Save a Stray” or specifying “Donation for Marianne`s Dog Food Bank”

L'articolo THREE MINI SHELTERS TO SECURE A SAFE PLACE FOR THE HOMELESS DOGS OF TUZLA IN BOSNIA, BUT FOOD IS NEVER ENOUGH proviene da OIPA.

“Finning” is a brutal practice used in high seas fishing. Sometimes sharks are hunted selectively, but increasingly they are trapped with the “unwanted by-catch” fishing of tuna and swordfish.

Immediately after catching all sharks’ fins are cut off and the remaining bodies thrown back into the sea. During this mutilation, the animals are usually fully conscious, and, no longer able to swim, sink to the seabed where they bleed to death or suffocate. Finning is an unselective fishing method that does not take into account the species, size or age of the shark, so also species protected by CITES are caught. Due to this “space-saving” method on board, significantly more fins can be stored than when the whole shark body is fully transported.

Every year, around 73 million sharks die solely for their fins in our oceans. The exact numbers remain speculation, as there is a lack of reliable data and the worldwide number of unreported cases of illegal fishing is extremely high. As a result of this massive overexploitation, the marine ecosystem is in danger, since sharks create a state of balance and perfectly regulate marine life.

WHY ARE FINS TRADED?

Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia. It is consumed at weddings, company parties and birthdays and can cost up to several hundred euros per bowl. On the menus of the luxury restaurants a bowl of soup, price can range between 120€ and 400€ per because depending on the type of shark, fins have a different price per kilogram. The vast majority of shark fins are destined to some regions in East and Southeast Asia, such as China, Hong Kong (the world’s largest customer on the Asian market), Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. is Hong Kong.

Shark fin soup is a symbol of prosperity and a sign of respect and acclaim. The fin is cartilage tissue and thus completely tasteless, soup taste is given by using cooking fins with chicken broth.

Shark fins are also used in traditional Asian medicine as shark cartilage is seen as a miracle cure for potency disorders and cancer, which is why shark fins are still in demand in traditional Asian pharmacies. In contrast, scientific facts drawn from numerous studies have verified that shark meat is heavily contaminated with methylmercury. Methylmercury, even in small doses, can be dangerous for humans, which is why consumption is strongly discouraged not only for ecological but also for health reasons.

SHARK FISHING IN EUROPE

Every year millions of sharks are caught in Europe. Spain, for example, is one of the leading manufacturers of unprocessed shark fins. Since 2013, the EU “Fins Naturally Attached” regulation prohibits without exception the storage, transhipment and landing of all shark fins in EU waters and on all EU ships. The fins must remain naturally attached to the carcass when the ship is unloaded in port. The fins can then be separated from the animal and exported to Asia. Only a few countries have passed a “Fins Naturally Attached” law (e.g. USA, Canada, India, South Africa). In many countries finning is still allowed. Therefore, there is still a huge volume of fins on the global market, whose origin is rarely traceable. However, these can still be traded legally in and across Europe. it is often not possible to trace whether a shipping cargo transports an unprocessed or processed part of the fish, such as fins. The identification of shark fins in imports and exports is important to detect illegal trade and to take criminal action if necessary.

Trade in shark meat has increased dramatically over the last decade. This is partly due to the general increase in demand for fish. The shark meat market is more diverse and more geographically dispersed than the shark fin trade, so there is considerable potential for further expansion. Species such as the blue shark or the short-finned mako shark are caught without specific restrictions: no catch or size limits and no closed seasons. Spain has the largest market for shark meat and is the leading nation for shark fishing in Europe. Spain and Italy are among the European countries with the largest shark meat market, consuming on average 40,000 tons (Spain) and 10,000 tons (Italy) of shark meat per year. In 2018, European ships landed 6,018 tons of the endangered Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to the consumption of shark meat, the demand for the oil obtained from shark liver is also increasing as considered as a desirable ingredient in cosmetic products such as makeup or moisturizers.

The trade with loose shark fins over Europe is allowed according to current legislation – as long as it does not included the 12 shark species protected by CITES. When trading whole shark bodies, these protected shark species can still be identified relatively easily, but if only shark fins are transported, even experts encounter their limits. One of the reasons for this is that the shape and colour of the fins change during the drying process and that the size proportion is missing without the corresponding shark body. In addition, the traded fins are usually a mixture of different age groups – this represents a further difficulty, as in young sharks important characteristics are often not yet so distinctive. A scientific study from 2018 also shows that the fins of many CITES-listed species are still being traded, often without the necessary documentation.

The extension of the “Fins Naturally Attached” regulation facilitates the identification of sharks for import and export and prevents the cover-up of illegally traded species. In addition, there is clear evidence that many of the batch traded shark fins have been separated from the animal by finning– this will also be impeded by an expansion of the Regulation and the trade in sharks as a whole would become significantly less attractive.

WHAT DOES THE ECI “STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE” ASK?

❗ The trade with shark fins in Europe must end immediately!

🚫 The barbaric practice of shark finning can only be stopped once regulation of the trade makes it financially impractical.

⚖ That is why the “Fins Naturally Attached” regulation in the European Union must be extended to the export, import and transit of sharks and rays.

The current Fins Naturally Attached Regulation states: “Sharks are not a traditional European food, but they are a necessary element of European marine ecosystems”. It is time to finally take consistent action in Europe to protect sharks and our oceans! Therefore, we ask you to support this opportunity to extend legislation in the European Union to protect our seas.

SIGN THE ECI AND SHARE 

(Source 👉 https://www.stop-finning-eu.org/)

L'articolo SHARK FISHING IN EUROPE AND THE CRUEL PRACTISE OF FINNING proviene da OIPA.

The letter does clearly underline the necessity to guarantee more protection to animals as they are still treated as a commodity or property and not as living and sentient beings as they should. Animals are continuously harmed and mistreated and penal sanctions for animal cruelty are too light.

👇 READ THE LETTER 👇

Amend the PCA Act

L'articolo OIPA INDIA – ODISHA WRITES TO THE PARLIAMENT TO AMEND THE ANIMAL WELFARE LAW proviene da OIPA.