DOGS AND CATS TAKE OVER THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - EU Dog & Cat Alliance European Parliament Reception
Submitted by Steve on 14:58, 25th Sep, 2015 |
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The EU Dog & Cat Alliance held its first event in the European Parliament on the 22nd of September. Throughout the day, members of the Alliance also had in-depth meetings with MEPs.
The event saw over 30 MEPs and 11 dog and cat welfare organisations from across the EU come together to lobby the EU to introduce welfare legislation for dogs and cats, particularly in relation to commercial practices. Currently, national legislation varies greatly across EU member states, with strict legislation in some countries, and very little in others. The situation can have serious consequences for animal welfare, but also for animal health, human health, consumer protection and the functioning of the internal market.
There are an estimated 61 million owned dogs and 66 million owned cats in the EU, but there is very little EU legislation to protect their welfare.
UK organisations attending the event included Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Unfortunately the GSPCA were unable to send a representative, but the infomation of the recent 25 puppies from Slovakia had been shared with the EU Dog and Cat Alliance represetatives and members so it could be discussed as one of the issues that we face across the EU.
Paula Boyden, chair of the EU Dog & Cat Alliance said “We were delighted to see so many MEPs from all across the EU, join us to collectively call for EU action to better protect the welfare of dogs and cats."
"Without legislation to harmonise practices across the EU, the implications will not only continue to affect dogs and cats but also on key areas which the EU has competence to legislate: public health, consumer protection and the functioning of the internal market."
"We are urging the Commission to act.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "Although we were unable to attend the EU Dog & Cat Alliance first reception at the European Parliament in Brussels we had shared the issues that we have faced here in Guernsey from puppies being moved through the Channel Island waters from main land Europe into the UK."
"Puppy trafficking is a huge issue and one that many of the member animal welfare groups and charities are extremely concerned about."
"The recent case of the 25 Slovakian puppies here in Guernsey highlights the fact that we are stronger working together to improve the welfare of dogs and cats across the EU."
The findings of an EU study on the welfare of dogs and cats are expected to be released in November. The EU Dog & Cat Alliance will be working with MEPs to put pressure on the European Commission to take action on the findings. Since the Alliance was launched in 2014, we have already worked with MEPs to table several Parliamentary Questions on dog and cat issues.
At the event, MEPs were asked to choose to have their photograph taken with a Team Dog or Team Cat paddle, to show their support for EU action. At the end of the evening there wasn’t a clear winner between Team Dog and Team Cat, suggesting that both dog and cat welfare is important in the eyes of MEPs.
Some facts -
-The EU Dog & Cat Alliance represents 53 dog and cat welfare organisations from 19 EU member states.
- The EU Dog & Cat Alliance's primary purpose is to lobby for EU action to protect dogs and cats.
Here is some previous information regarding the puppies -
7 of the puppies under section 70 of the Animal Welfare Ordnance no longer belong to the man from the Slovak Republic.
The other 18 are being detained at the GSPCA due to the fraudulent passports and their age being younger than stated. This means they will have to have a period of isolation until they are vaccinated against rabies and hold valid pet passports which could take between 5 and 7 weeks.
Some are currently receiving treatments for ailments which they had when they arrived.
On Sunday 6th September the States Vet and GSPCA Manager gave an update to the press on the current care of the animals and explained the procedures which are currently being followed.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager "We are hugely grateful to all of the donations towards the care of the 25 Slovakian puppies at the GSPCA."
"The GSPCA team are all working around the clock caring for the puppies and they will have to remain isolated until such time that the States Vet is happy they meet Pet Passport legislation."
"Two vets have seen the puppies and both agree a number of them are much younger than is stated on their passports and after the guilty plea for forging the owner signature on the 25 documents for the pups we now have to re-vaccinate them for rabies and follow the Pet Passport protocols."
"At present we are unsure if the 2 people from the Slovak Republic want their 18 puppies back and before they could have them they would have to pay for all costs including daily care and treatments for the pups during the next 5 to 7 weeks, as well as their new Pet Passports."
"We have been informed they have left Guernsey and we are hoping that they will pass ownership over to the GSPCA."
"We have been in touch with Sloboda zvierat an animal welfare organisation in Slovakia who have informed us of their concerns regarding the puppy trade in their country."
"We have had a lot of interest and would like to let everyone know we operate a list for those looking to adopt animals from the Shelter and those in need can be seen on our website."
"For anyone looking to adopt a dog from the GSPCA you need to complete an adoption questionnaire which can be seen on our website or picked up at the front desk, but we already have a long list of names of families and homes looking for dogs."
"A great way to support the care for the puppies is by becoming an Angel Pen Pal sponsor which is a way to donate each month to help the many animals in our care."
"There are many concerns about dogs and puppies being transported across Europe and further afield."
"The GSPCA is a member of the EU Dog and Cat Alliance and in the next few weeks members will be meeting Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Brussels to discuss the concerns and challenges that face dogs and cats across the EU as well as details of Puppy Smuggling across Europe."
"The Dogs Trust have written a report about the Puppy Smuggling Trade and also in the Express yesterday they reported on Eastern European gangs smuggling dogs into the UK."
"On our Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday this weekend we are hoping to have a collection point and display of pictures of the puppies for visitors to find out more details."
"We have had an amazing response to the towel appeal and thank the Homemaker Co-op in St Sampsons for volunteering to be a drop off point."
"The best way to support the care of the pups is by becoming an Angel Pen Pal sponsor as this means you can help them each month whilst they are with us and the many other animals in our care."
"We thank everyone for their continued support and will update with further details as soon as we can."
Here is a summary of the key actions from the Dogs Trust on-the-ground investigation work -
• Successfully smuggled a fake dog without a visual check at British borders in three out of four attempts
• Filmed three breeders in Lithuania, all of whom sold us puppies under the age of 12 weeks and arranged for passports to be issued via their own vet contacts
• Obtained eight passports from seven vets in Lithuania who falsified data on the passports in order to enable puppies under the age of 15 weeks to travel to Great Britain
• Filmed a vet in Lithuania who suggested giving a sedative to a puppy before travelling, implying that this is a way to smuggle a puppy through border controls unnoticed • Filmed seven vets in Romania,two of whom stated that they could falsify passport information for us (including one for a nine week old puppy)
• Filmed five breeders in Romania who had sold puppies to the UK in the past, all of whom said they could arrange fake passports for underage dogs
• Contacted one further breeder in Romania by phone who said he could arrange passports for eight week old puppies
• Visited nine sellers/breeders from Lithuania, Hungary and the Czech Republic selling puppies (via advertisement on UK classified websites) that had recently come over from Eastern Europe under PETS to be sold in the UK
If you are looking to adopt an animal and to complete an adoption form please click here.
To raise sponsorship and join our Giant Animal Mascot Race for free at our Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday please click here.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week staff and volunteers work around the clock at the GSPCA to ensure the animals are cared for and those in need can be rescued around Guernsey.
At present with the 25 Slovakian puppies and many other animals at the GSPCA we are continually appealing for animal feed and cleaning products.
One of the wonderful additions that has benefited many animals at the Shelter has been our Wish List which we have both on our website and a link to an Amazon Wish List.
Since launching our Amazon Wish List in October 2012 nearly every week we have had wonderful donations from honey for the hedgehogs to heat lamps to keep those ill nice and warm.
We are currently appealing for local business that wish to support the GSPCA to consider displaying a GSPCA Wish List Star on items that would benefit the animals in our care and to have a collection bin for those items.
By checking out our Wish List items you can see many of the items we use regularly and some which we have a special need for.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "The GSPCA Wish List has been a fantastic way those wanting to help animals in Guernsey make a real difference."
"We have been in undated with donations to help with the 25 Slovakian puppies, especially second hand towels which are ideal for bedding for them as we have to dispose after each use."
"Many of the items that have been donated are via online web shops and at the GSPCA we would love it if local shops and businesses would get involved by displaying a GSPCA Wish List Star."
"There are some very specialist items on our Wist List but there are items from Hills puppy food to wheelie bins, mops to honey that you can get from many stores around Guernsey."
"If anyone is interested in getting involved please get in touch with me at the Shelter on 257261 or email [email protected]"
Maybe your business would like to help the GSPCA in other ways in 2016, and to find out more information on this please click here.
The GSPCA always needs a variety of toys, equipment and feed which we occasionally source from Amazon due to the very economical prices. If you wanted to buy supplies directly for the GSPCA Animal Shelter then click on the link to Amazon below to find out what we need. Before you do please ensure you are registered with Easyfundraising as you can donate without it costing you anything when you shop online. To find out more on Easyfundraising please click here.
Thank you to everyone that has supported our GSPCA Amazon Wish List.
Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking here.
To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.
There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.
By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
Or by phone 01481 257261.
To find out more regarding our Angel Sponsorship Scheme please click here.
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