A round table devoted to the issues of humane treatment of stray animals took place in the town of Lozova (Kharkiv oblast). It was attended by the mayor, the heads of utility enterprises, local volunteers and animal rights activists from Kharkiv. The head of the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” Iryna Podvoiska shared the experience of implementation of the comprehensive programme of humane control of the number of stray animals in Kharkiv oblast. According to her words, the problem of stray animals in city streets has been urgent for a long time, however, it has never been solved both in megalopolises and in any large towns.
“There is a regrettable practice of many years to solve this problem by way of irrevocable capture of cats and dogs. Despite the crying inhumanity and the proved ineffectiveness, those who support it continue asserting that there is no alternative to these brutal methods. However, there is another method, which is used in many developed countries for a long time and which we use in our work. It is based on humane and responsible treatment of our four-legged friends,” Iryna Podvoiska told.
It should be reminded that the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” developed and actively implements its special programme based on the CSVR method (capture, sterilization, vaccination, return to natural habitat). It also stipulates the wide informational and educational activity (propaganda of responsible treatment of animals among population); the development of volunteer movement (animals find new homes exactly thanks to the volunteers); the introduction of special conditions for servicing of domestic animals in the veterinary clinics (which may significantly reduce the number of new stray animals in the streets); the opening of social veterinary clinics with the centres for animals temporary holding; the construction of animal shelters. According to Iryna Podvoiska, the similar programm is already implemented in several towns of Kharkiv oblast, and it is planned to expand it to the other towns of the region and the whole country.
“It is good that the towns in Kharkiv oblast become more and more interested in the humane and comprehensive approach to the solution of the problem of stray animals. Active volunteers, animal rights activists initiated this round table led by Lozova mayor. According to its results, it was decided to amend the relevant municipal programme, and it is expected that the amendments will be considered and introduced during the next session of Lozova Town Council in December,” the head of the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” Iryna Podvoiska noted. “Lozova will become another city, where it is planned to implement the CSVR programme.”
The programme stipulates the humane control of the number of both stray and domestic animals, their blanket rabies vaccination, the obligatory microchip implantation and registration of animals in the single data base. In addition, it has been agreed about allocation of the premises for temporary holding with the purpose of socialization of aggressive animals. The specialists of the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” will help their colleagues from Lozova to perform this and to search for new owners of the abandoned pets.
“We are also ready to render legal assistance to volunteers concerning the registration of the NGO. It will provide them with more powers in the contacts with local authorities, as well as more opportunities for the implementation of animal protection projects,” Iryna Podvoiska emphasized.
