(CN) IFAW provides humane solution to avoid dog culls in earthquake zone in China

[Guest guest]

Dear AAPN members,

 

FYI about IFAW's emergency relief efforts in China. You can find more

information at the following links.

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=229258

http://www.animalrescueblog.org/

 

Also, if you read Chinese, please go to IFAW's Animal Resource Center website at

http://ifaw-arc.org.cn/ifawarc/index.aspx

for news from China and blogs from IFAW team on the ground in Sichuan.

 

 

IFAW provides humane solution to avoid dog culls in earthquake zone

 

(Chengdu, China – 2 June 2008) Dogs which survived the devastating earthquake

in the Zun Dao township of Sichuan China have a new lease on life after IFAW

(International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) and local officials

announced to not resort to mass killing of dogs and instead address public

health concerns through an IFAW sponsored anti-rabies vaccination and veterinary

aid program in the 20,000+ population.

 

“This agreement is a major breakthrough,†said Jackson Zee, IFAW rescue

leader. “Chinese media have been filled with reports of people evacuating with

their pets, being comforted by their pets, and even saved by their pets after

their homes collapsed, so we are delighted to see this next step as local

officials are acknowledging that humane care of dogs, cats and livestock can

benefit both animals and people.â€

 

After the devastating earthquake that claimed around 70,000 human lives, IFAW

rushed close to $200,000 in aid and sourced over six tons of animal food for

some of the hardest-hit areas within Sichuan province.

 

IFAW met with local government officials in Zun Dao and offered humane

alternatives to the dog culls presently in effect in much of the devastated

areas. Officials agreed to halt any dog culling operations in the area and are

welcoming IFAW’s efforts to address the present public health concerns by

conducting an anti-rabies vaccination and veterinary care program in the area.

 

Accompanied by local veterinarians, IFAW began visiting villages immediately and

on the first afternoon provided food, collars, leashes and appropriate

vaccinations for at least 50 family owned dogs. There are an estimated 4,000

owned dogs and 1,000 strays in Zun Dao and surrounding villages and relief

efforts are expected to increase in the coming days.

 

In addition to the efforts in Zun Dao, IFAW has been providing humanitarian aid

in the region by meeting some of the most basic and urgent needs. From cooking

oil to laundry detergent, mosquito repellents and toys for children, these

much-needed supplies are helping families get back on their feet and take care

of their pets and backyard farm animals. Desperately needed supplies such as 100

water pumps, fencing, generators and other supplies have also been rushed to

Mianyang to help rescue animals in advance of anticipated flooding while

additional support has been given to the acclaimed Giant Panda Nature Reserve in

Gansu province.

 

IFAW is appealing for public support to increase the amount of aid for animals

and people in the earthquake region. To donate or view more information on

current rescue efforts, visit www.ifaw.org.

 

End

 

 

Grace Ge Gabriel 葛芮

Asia Regional Director 国际爱护动物基金会

International Fund for Animal Welfare 亚洲地区总代表

Mobile:+1-508-496-4471(US)

Mobile: +86-13701299387 (China)

www.ifaw.org