FREE guide to help reduce street dog populations

[Guest guest]

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:48:22 -0000

" Sally Wright " <Sally.Wright

 

 

STREETWISE SOLUTION FOR STREET DOG POPULATIONS

 

Charities launch FREE guide to help reduce canine suffering

 

Fresh hopes have been raised that an inspiring new guide may provide

the real answer to the problem of street dogs around the world, and

help reduce the suffering of millions of animals. The 'A Template for

Change' guide was launched at the tenth International Companion

Animal Welfare Conference (ICAWC) last week by animal charities Dogs

Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

 

The free guide, which combines the expertise and experience of the

two charities, provides practical solutions for those areas with a

street dog problem to set up trap, neuter and return (TNR) programmes

where dogs are collected from the streets, taken for neutering by a

qualified veterinary team and, after recovery, returned to the area

from where they came.

 

After a hugely successful pilot scheme carried out by the charities

in Oradea, Romania, neutering schemes have been proven to be the only

effective method of stray dog population control.

 

Every week, millions of dogs around the globe are poisoned or shot in

an effort by municipalities to rid their streets of stray dogs. But,

as well as causing immense suffering to the animals, this approach is

ineffective as a method of population control because the vacuum left

is soon filled by other dogs from surrounding areas who move in to

utilise the resources available.

 

Written by journalist and animal behaviourist Carolyn Menteith 'A

Template for Change' explains exactly how and why TNR works. It also

gives detailed advice on how animal welfare supporters can set up a

TNR programme, including how to budget, build a centre from scratch,

gather public support, and manage resources and assess results.

 

Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin and Chief Executive from

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Jan Barlow said:

 

" 'A Template for Change' is a fantastic support tool that will enable

people to help take control of stray dog populations across the

world, making leaps forward not only for public health, but also for

alleviating the suffering of millions of dogs who live often short

and very difficult lives.

 

" Following our successful work in Romania and now as we spread the

knowledge we have gained, we are optimistic that we can work towards

true change for street dogs and the communities they live in across

the world. "

 

To download a free copy of 'A Template for Change', please visit

<http://www.tnrdogs.com/>www.tnrdogs.com

 

 

For further information

 

Contacts:

Sally Wright, Press Officer - 020 7833 7608/sally.wright

Sophia Fergus, Press Officer - 020 7833 7657/Sophia.fergus

 

 

About ICAWC

The International Companion Animal Welfare Conference (ICAWC) was

developed by Dogs Trust with the belief in working towards a world

where no healthy companion animal is destroyed for want of a caring

home with responsible owners.

ICAWC is dedicated to:

 

Elevating the level of care for companion animals

Promoting positive animal welfare legislation

Developing and promoting educational programmes to encourage better

understanding, appreciation and care of companion animals

Assisting animal welfare organisations in strengthening their projects

Providing a platform for the interchange of ideas that impact on

companion animals

Through " Strength in Numbers " making the world a better place for

companion animals

 

 

About Dogs Trust

 

Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity, and is dedicated

to ensuring the welfare of dogs everywhere. Through its network of 17

Rehoming Centres across the UK, the charity cares for over 16,000

stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs each year. Dogs Trust has a

non-destruction policy, and will never put a healthy dog to sleep.

The charity is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a

happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.

 

For further information on Dogs Trust please visit

<http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/>www.dogstrust.org.uk

 

About Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

 

Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is a charity that

aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. We reunite

lost dogs and cats with their owners; when we can't do this, we care

for them until new homes can be found for them; and we educate the

public about responsible pet ownership. Every year the Home takes in

around 12,000 dogs and cats. In addition to the site in South West

London, the Home also has two other centres based at Old Windsor,

Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.

 

For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home log on to:

<http://www.battersea.org.uk/>www.battersea.org.uk

 

Sally Wright

Press Officer

 

<csally.wrightsally.wright

Dogs Trust - A Dog Is For Life

 

Visit our website at <http://www.dogstrust.org.uk>http://www.dogstrust.org.uk

or call us on: 020-7837 0006

_______________

 

Registered Charity Numbers: 227523 and SC037843

 

 

--

Kim Bartlett, President of Animal People, Inc.

Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 960, Clinton WA 98236 U.S.A.

email <ANPEOPLE web-site: http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/