UAE | General
Women urged to sign up for animal rights envoy contest
Organisers of Dubai's search for an animal rights ambassador are appealing for more women to enter the competition.
- By Kevin Scott Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:01 July 27, 2009
- Miss AVA Dubai 2009 will help educate the public about animal rights issues. Organisers are urging women aged 17-30 to enter the competition.
- Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News
Dubai: Organisers of Dubai's search for an animal rights ambassador are appealing for more women to enter the competition.
Sisters Janice Shaw and Sarita Barnett are looking for the city's first Ambassador with a Voice for Animals (AVA) and are hoping 100-150 women, aged 17-30, will join in the event, which culminates in a pageant and gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt hotel on October 23.
The competition seeks to discover a woman with a genuine passion for animals and their welfare. The winner of Miss AVA 2009 will spend time helping out at K9 Friends and Feline Friends. She will also be expected to educate the public and spread awareness about how a pet needs to be looked after.
Shaw said: "We have to improve the welfare of animals. & That is the reason we started this competition. We need a Miss AVA to spread awareness on this issue.
"The concept of the competition is unique. We've not heard of anything like it anywhere in the world. We hope the glamorous side of the event, such as the pageant, will grab the attention of the public, but there is also a very serious point to it all."
The competition will include a one-on-one interview with each woman on her passion for animals and the pageant will feature all the contestants parading first in T-shirts and shorts and then an evening dress.
Shaw and Barnett are still looking for judges but some of those already named on the panel include Claire Coxall, a leading judge at the UK's annual dog show Crufts, and her husband.
The sisters are also looking for someone, either male or female, to sing at the gala dinner. Auditions will be held at the Grand Hyatt on August 14 and those interested must register by August 10. The organisers are also looking for more sponsors.
DetailsIf you want to participate or reserve a seat for your family to attend the pageant, contact Sarita Barnett at sarphilly@hotmail.com or on 050 657 8784.
What steps do you think should be taken to protect animal welfare? Have you witnessed any animal abuse? Have you reported it to the relevant authorities? What action was taken?
Your comments
interesting to know about that. i believe people who are vegeterians are doing so only to save money (you know meat is expensive). how can you live without it!!! i tried for one week and fainted!!
Siraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 28, 2009, 13:32
Personally, human beings are more important than animals. Humans nowadays are treated like animals and animals like humans. It is a utter disgrace on humanity. Take a look at it in Africa, humans have nothing to eat and in developed countries more money is spent on petcare than would have been given to care for underpriviledged. Shame on all of us!
Joel Fernandes
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 28, 2009, 13:16
I've been a vegetarian for the past 8 years, until recently I started eating animals. The reason is I am exercising daily and I need to eat them, their meat is very nutritious. I did them a favour for 8 years now I hope they can do me a favour.
A.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 28, 2009, 10:42
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