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Streetwise Solution For Street Dog Populations
November 17, 2008, 4:48PM MT
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Charities launch FREE guide to help reduce canine suffering
Charities launch FREE guide to help reduce canine suffering
Press release by Sally Wright and Sophia Fergus, Press Officers, Dogs Trust
Posted by Barbara Silverman
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, 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 utilize 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 www.tnrdogs.com.
For further information:
Contacts:
Sally Wright, Press Officer - 020 7833 7608/sally.wright@dogstrust.org.uk
Sophia Fergus, Press Officer - 020 7833 7657/Sophia.fergus@dogstrust.org.uk
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 organizations 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 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 o f 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 www.battersea.org.uk
Sally Wright
Press Officer
sally.wright@dogstrust.org.uk
Dogs Trust - A Dog Is For Life
Visit our website at http://www.dogstrust.org.uk or call us on: 020-7837 0006
Phone from snapfish.com of Lilly by Jennifer Krause