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World News on Animal Welfare …. … what is happening around our world |
SPAZ/ΣΠΑΖ GREECE Society for the Protection of Stray AnimalZ Σύλλογος Προστασίας Αδέσποτων Ζώων |
CLICK ON THE DONATE BUTTON BELOW TO HELP US HELP THE ANIMALS SYSTEM - YOU NEED NOT HAVE A PAYPAL® ACCOUNT TO HELP US, JUST A CREDIT CARD AND A LOVE FOR ANIMALS |
HUMANE SOCIETY IN HAITI |
Humane Society International and our partners have been on the ground in Haiti for the past two weeks, providing critical care to the animal and human survivors of this tragedy. Now that the critical emergency response phase has ended, the members of our second on-the-ground team are heading home this morning. Other HSI teams are likely to travel to Haiti in the weeks ahead to continue helping animals in need of immediate care. None of our efforts would be possible without your support. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO HELP THE HUMANE SOCIETY WITH THEIR WORK SAVING THE ANIMALS IN HAITI http://www.hsus. org/hsi/disaster _services/ reports_from_ the_field/ 2010_haiti_ earthquake_ 11310.html# Multimedia |
Press Release by Greek Ministry March 2010 PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD AFTER THE MEETING WITH THE FEDERATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS – MARCH 9, 2010. The Minister for Rural Development and Food, Katerina Batzeli and Secretary, Michael Karchimakis met Tuesday March 9, 2010 with the President of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare Federation, Mrs Molfesis and the General Secretary, Mrs. Morianou. During the meeting both sides exchanged views on the best way the Ministry and animal welfare groups could cooperate on animal welfare issues in Greece. They discussed issues such as the role of Associations and Municipalities to carry out the rescue, care and adoption of stray animals, to organize campaigns against animal abuse and issues of implementation and modernization of legislation on the protection of animals. After the meeting, both sides made the following statements: Katerina Batzeli, Minister for Rural Development and Food: «To Ministry in cooperation with animal welfare groups and local authorities will try to put an end to the abuse of animals. I think that is a sign of culture and quality of life. Klea Morianou, Secretary General of the Panhellenic Federation of Animal Welfare: "This is the first time that the State shows interest, not only on the problems of pets, but also food-producing animals and wildlife. We are very optimistic about working together with the State to solve these problems. Journalist: What part of the Ministry will take legislative action? MINISTER: Existing bodies will deal with the issues but we need to change important parts of the Act and the Circular. They will try to implement pilot projects in animal rescue, as provided by Community Programs, and will implement specific checks in places where the animals are being transported. Journalist: The "hot potato" of Schistos how do you think we could deal with it? MINISTER: "Only the Ministry of collective action, prefectures, police and above all with the support of the world itself. Journalist: Since you mentioned the support of the world, will there be some information campaigns shared with the media? Minister: "The information campaigns are part of our efforts. We will take a campaign to inform citizens, particularly young children, so that people know that when buying an animal, they must be informed and the animal certified. Journalist: A comment from you, Madam President? (Irini Molfesis, President Panhellenic Animal Welfare Federation) "This is the first time in many years we feel optimistic that something will change in Greece in relation to the disastrous image we give out as a country concerning animal welfare." |
NEWS FLASH!!!!! A puppy mill in Serres, northern Greece, was recently closed by the authorities and the animals confiscated and taken in by a number of animal welfare groups, members of the 100 Member Animal Welfare Coalition. This is another example of a puppy mill keeping animals in totally unacceptable conditions and perhaps even trading illegally. Keep posted for more information. |
BREAKING NEWS A stunning victory for whales The International Whaling Commission's controversial proposal to legalize commercial whaling has failed. The news comes in on the heels of massive efforts by IFAW supporters (International Fund for Animal Welfare), who voiced their opposition through hundreds of thousands of phone calls, emails, letters, postcards and petition signatures. You can read the official press release and sign up for regular updates on all IFAW campaigns at http://bit.ly/sssvic |
A POSITIVE ANIMAL WELFARE STORY |
As part of Ierapetra’s Kyrvia festival, the Kalamafka Syllogos organizes a day celebrating the cycle of bread making which
includes lots of food, traditional music and a demonstration of threshing of the barley in an Aloni, using 2 donkeys.
Last year,we went along to see and enjoy the day. However due to the appalling treatment of the donkeys – beaten with
large sticks by a number of the men and bleeding legs and mouths, from badly fitting equipment, the experience was far
from enjoyable.
We published photographs on our website, and asked the Greek Animal Welfare Fund to make representation on our
behalf and we resolved to do something about this cruelty to ensure that it was not repeated..
Initially we spoke to our vet, Michalis Spiridakis who is a councillor in the Dimos of Ierapetra and a member of the Kalamafka
Syllogos, but because of other commitments on the day, he had not been aware of the problems – but he agreed that
something definitely had to be done, especially when we showed him photographs of how the donkeys had been treated.
An article also appeared in the Kathimerini magazine.
A number of discussions were held to formulate a way forward, culminating in a meeting with the participants prior to this
year’s event to resolve the issues and ensure that no repeat of the previous year would happen.
It transpired that a number of members had been upset by what they saw and a number of children had been most upset
and in tears, so there was a will to do more. The syllogos wanted to present the very best of animal welfare to visitors and
were totally open to suggestions.
Even on the day of the event, further discussions were held and a formula was agreed that;
1.Only people directly involved with the donkeys would work with them during the day.
2.No sticks would be used to induce the donkeys to perform.
3.A weight ‘limit’ of 2 or 3 small children being towed on the board was agreed.
4. The donkeys should have adequate rest, food and water breaks.
The Aloni demonstration was a wonderful event and from the outset, we were approached by many members of the
syllogos who thanked us for helping in guiding them on the way forward. The participants were proud to be involved in such
a splendid display, one man even went as far as to say that he would not be beating a donkey in the future – he would only
beat his wife!!
We know both husband and wife and you an be assured that this was a pure joke.
So, while many people call for the laws to be invoked, police called etc -.it can be that with sensitive communications,
delicate pressure, showing people the past evidence they can be encouraged to see and agree that they do not want to be
part of a spectacle which upsets people and causes offence.
Well done to the people of Kalamafka, and a big thank you to vet Michalis Spiridakis who was instrumental in ensuring that
this years’ event would be acceptable to all visitors.
By donkeycarecrete by Alistair Paton www.walkwithdonkeys.com |
For more information on SPAZ, our work, and how we can help you help the animals, contact the appropriate person listed below. General Contact Details: PO Box 70213 Glyfada, Athens Greece 166-10 spazgreece@hotmail.co.uk Individual Contact Details: Joanna Doulakis (President) 6948 011572 Tatiana Papamoschou (Vice President) 6944 221297 210 895 8582 Fofi Dimitriadou (Treasurer) Tzela Pagoni (Secretary) Nikki Clainos (Member-at-large) 6988 690493 Lucille Morin (committee member) Sue Green (committee member) 6977 939137 Vasso Clainos (committee member) Elizabeth Koubena (website) Sia Hurst (website) Click here to go to our Facebook Page |
Greek dog makes headlines at local demonstrations in Athens Click here to see more |
Legendary Kanelos does not live anymore. He passed in June 2008. He was always present at every demonstration/riot of the students and his home was the Polytechnic University, down town, next to the National Archaeological Museum. He was where the young people were, even in the classrooms! At his old age the Municipality of Athens had him caught as a stray and had him taken to a shelter in Marcopoulo (not ours). He wouldn't live long if it were not for his friends students who took him back. Kanelos lived his last days at the home of one of the students using wheels because he could not move his back legs. He was very sick after so many chemicals he had inhaled in his life during the demonstrations. He was the reincarnation of Che Guevara :-))) He could spot immediately police men who entered the University in civil clothes and would chase them out to the side walk. I am sending you a picture in his last demonstration escorted by his friends. Shortly afterwards he died of old age and bad health and was buried in the garden of the University. Click on this link and then click on the second video from top to bottom. It is a song for Kanelos (ena tragoudi gia ton skilo ton Kanelo) with a series of pictures. Not long after Kanelos died, another dog, a young one, is doing what Kanelos did :-) |
International Companion Animal Welfare Conference 2010 9th – 11th November 2010 Hotel Pyramida, Prague, Czech Republic Register online at www.icawc.org Featured presentation: Your chance to help frame a Model Law for dogs and cats. Leading experts will discuss the pro’s and con’s of current legislation from a selection of countries across the globe. We will pick out the best bits, discard some of the pitfalls and emerge with a model that delegates can sign up to and take back to their governments/municipalities. Should you wish to have your views included, delegates are encouraged to let us have comments by the end of September. For more information please email international@dogstrust.org.uk |
DEMONSTRATION! World Animal Day Monday October 4th 11am Organized by the Panhellenic Animal Welfare Coalition Outside of the Greek Parliament Building in Syntagma Protest against the poisoning of animals in Greece. We encourage all of you who care about animals to take part. |