(CN) China Companion Animal Welfare Veterinary Programme

[Guest guest]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Unique joint force to resolve stray animal problems in China

 

Workshops by private vets and animal protection groups on animal welfare and

neutering Veterinary workshops on the latest neutering techniques are being held

in Shenzhen and Beijing from April 27th to May 7th, 2009. The workshops will

also discuss the essential role of vets in promoting animal welfare and ways to

improve welfare and neutering techniques through practical demonstration and

operations in a clinical setting. This is the first programme of its kind

initiated by animal protection groups in collaboration with veterinary

bodies to tackle the stray animal problems in China.

The stray cat population is growing rapidly because of animals being

abandoned by irresponsible owners and the reproduction of cats living on the

streets. These animals suffer from a lack of food, exposure to disease and

accidents, and even deliberate cruelty from people who are against these

animals. They can also be a cause of road accidents, noise pollution and

destruction of wildlife.

The public is not aware of the importance of neutering. A humane policy to

control stray animals, and regulations to control breeding farms and pet

shops, are still to be developed. Too many animals are in need of good

homes, and neutering all stray and owned animals would be a big step towards

reducing populations of stray animals.

Pei Su, Director of ACTAsia for Animals, a UK charity, stated: ¡°This

workshop marks the first time in Shenzhen that private vets and animal

protection groups have come together collectively to try and resolve stray

animal problems.¡± It is also the first time in Shenzhen that a local animal

protection group has organised a veterinary event to control stray

populations without government support. This programme is also the first in

China to emphasise the importance of professional training for veterinary

assistants, who will be included in this programme.

This workshop will be led by experienced vets and vet nurses who are members

of Australian group Vets Beyond Borders. Dr. Elaine Ong, one of the vets

conducting the sessions, said, ¡°The workshop aims to improve technical

skills, enhance an understanding of animal welfare, and increase

collaboration between vets and animal protection groups.¡± It will cover the

neutering of cats and dogs, including techniques to neuter animals from the

age of eight weeks. It will also cover the use of painkillers, humane

handling, nursing, ethics, radiology, surgical techniques and treatment of

common diseases. Over fifty participants, consisting of vets and their

assistants, are attending the workshop in Shenzhen. The workshop in Beijing

will have sixteen participants who are vets and vet assistants.

According to Zhang Yuan Yuan, Founder of ShenzhenCats (SZCats), ¡°Improving

neutering techniques and promoting the importance of animal welfare during

operations will hopefully help to control stray cat populations and improve

the effectiveness of our rescue programme. SZCats hopes that this programme

will be a step towards helping the public and government to understand the

importance of neutering and its impact on tackling humane stray animal

control, and will improve the welfare of stray animals in China.¡± Qin Xiao

Na, Director of the Capital Animal Welfare Association, Beijing, commented:

¡°Promoting a high quality and quantity of neutering is very important, as

it will help us tremendously to humanely manage the stray animal problem in

China.¡±

 

Vets have an essential role to play in promoting animal welfare. Many vets

in other countries often take animal welfare into consideration when

treating animals, and some of them are also actively involved in animal

protection work. Dr. Lu Yan, Director of Beijing Xi Jiao Animal Hospital,

said: ¡°The initiative not only provides us with the opportunity to exchange

experience on animal neutering, but also gives us the opportunity to discuss

face to face how to apply animal welfare principles in our clinical

practice. We support this initiative as we feel that it will help us to

improve the welfare of animals, a primary goal for vets, and reduce the

number of strays.¡±

Dr Xie Jian Meng, Head of the Shenzhen Veterinary Clinics Association, has

welcomed this programme as an opportunity to exchange knowledge with other

experienced vets. He stated: ¡°More and more vets in Shenzhen want to

collaborate with animal protection groups on the stray animal issue. From

the technical point of view, the methods we are using in China are different

from some of the overseas techniques, and it is important for vets in

Shenzhen to learn the latest techniques. We expect this programme to

increase our effectiveness and improve animal welfare in our clinics.¡±

Media Contacts ¨C ACTAsia for Animals:

(Chinese) Zhang Yuan Yuan: +8613632664596, isobel

(English) Pei Su: £«44 7749480459, pei