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Pet Haven Society and animal welfare in Seychelles

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Pet Haven Society and animal welfare in Seychelles Empty Pet Haven Society and animal welfare in Seychelles

Post  Sirop14 Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:15 pm

Pet Haven Society and animal welfare in Seychelles
The fight for animal rights and welfare has steadily gained momentum globally over the years and this has brought about new approaches in the way that we treat animals, from incorporating vegetarian/vegan diets to bans on animal testing for cosmetic products in the EU. These changes stem from a growing belief that animals are sentient and therefore, their wellbeing should also be considered.
In its own attempt to save the many stray animals in Seychelles, the Seychelles Pet Haven Society (SPHS) revealed to the Seychelles NATION that since January 1, 2018 to date, they have successfully rescued 39 animals, including 25 puppies, five cats, five dogs and four kittens, among which three dogs and seven puppies have been re-homed.


According to members of the organisation, prevention of breeding is the main solution for the issue of strays. They urge people to be responsible pet owners, avoid having their pets wandering around and ensure that their pets are neutered/spayed in order to sterilise them and avoid reproduction. For those who cannot afford proper fencing around the home to keep their pets safely inside, the SPHS recommends using wooden pallets as a cheaper but effective fencing alternative.
Parents should encourage their children to care for animals; animals can actually help with emotional development in children. Additionally, it is important for people to re-home any unwanted animals instead of leaving them on the streets/in bins or having them euthanized. The SPHS states that last year alone, 300 animals were successfully re-homed, proving that there is actually no need for animals to be euthanized.
Intentional breeding by dog owners to keep/intensify certain breed characteristics not only harms animals involved in the process, but inbreeding (mating between relatives) can make animals vulnerable to genetic defects and diseases, which in turn increases their chances of being unwanted and becoming strays. It also means that for every animal that is sold by a breeder, strays on the streets and those awaiting adoption in shelters lose their chance at finding a home and end up being euthanized.
Mass sterilisation of the breeding population of stray animals would be an extremely helpful initiative and the SPHS suggests that subsiding this programme would be a worthy investment for the Ministry of Tourism since stray animals have been said to affect the industry in various ways.
For example, many tourists complain, saying that they will not return to the country unless animal welfare improves. SPHS believes that it is important to embrace animal welfare and not fight it as it will not only help the animals and the communities, but also help to create a better, more positive image for our country.
The Housing Finance Company (HFC) are also urged by the SPHS to review and reconsider their policy for not allowing animals in government flats/houses as many animals are being abandoned by the roadside when their owners move into these properties and find that they are unable to bring their pets along.
Local schools are encouraged by SPHS to bring their students on visits to animal sanctuaries to help sensitise them about the various duties that dogs carry out such as their contribution to policing, therapy, rescues and their role as guard dogs.
Hotels could also help subsidise a mass sterilisation programme as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. This would help to prevent further complaints by a number of hotels that stray animals are a nuisance to their guests while they are on the beach.
Hotels need to remember that many of our tourists are animal lovers and are strong advocates of animal rights and welfare, especially the Germans who are known to love dogs. Euthanizing strays, especially in front of our tourists is very harmful for the industry. In-fact, a popular travel agent in Germany known as ‘SeyVillas’ who specialise in promoting Seychelles holidays have agreed to sponsor the SPHS, to help raise awareness and are encouraging their customers to make donations.
The SPHS would like to remind all members of the public as well as all government and non-government organisations that it is important for everyone to work together to improve animal welfare and its associated issues in our country. They recall that in just over the last two years, much has improved compared to 20 years ago and the momentum should continue.
For further information or advice, call SPHS on 2 79 11 19, email pethavenseychelles1@gmail.com or follow ‘Seychelles Pet Haven Society’ on Facebook.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257344

Sirop14

Posts : 26455
Join date : 2008-06-02

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