Abu Dhabi: Steps are being taken to highlight the importance of animal well-being as the first Animal Welfare Campaign in recent years kicks off for one week this month (June) in the capital.
Earlier, Major General Dr Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Emirates Society for Animal Welfare, revealed that the Society will launch a week-long campaign under the slogan ‘I need water just like you’.
In fact, animal caretakers lauded these efforts, adding that government support is crucial to meet the daily demands of animals that are in jeopardy.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr Martin Wyness, owner of the British Veterinary Centre in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News: “Although awareness seems to be increasing across the world, animal protection remains a hot topic internationally. Vets and animal shelters can only do so much in terms of taking care of wounded animals and keeping them safe from harm’s way, but we do not have the resources as private individuals to rescue them all and take care of them.”
In general, Dr Wyness reveals that people who see a wounded animal tend to take them to the closest vet without thinking ahead and this could pose a potential problem.
“We do the basic ‘save their love and stop the treatment’ type of pain but then the question remains, where will the animal stay when it is well, and who will pay for any major procedures? Where will it go once it’s stable and requires being taken care of. You quickly realise that you save everything and are faced with a situation with an injured animal and there’s only so much you can do. Sometimes the question is: What would spending possibly thousands of dirhams on an injured animal do for the ones that are already healthy and looking for a home?” he said.
Therefore, as part of the awareness initiative, brochures will be distributed along with guidelines and advice on taking care of pets.
Additionally, applications will be provided to those who would like to become members of the Society.
“Furthermore, the campaign will feature a wildlife conservation seminar, in addition to a workshop that will host a number of veterinarians to acquaint people with the proper ways to tend to animals at home, and to provide pet care tips and advice to people who own house pets. A particular school in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will be chosen to visit the Emirates Zoo Park, with the aim of acquainting students with the importance of animal care and welfare and humane treatment,” Al Nuaimi said earlier.
The exact date of the campaign launch is yet to be announced.
