Home » News » Egypt: The Animal Rights Movement Awakens...

News

Egypt: The Animal Rights Movement Awakens

December 06, 2008, 9:17PM MT

By Tanya Mahrous

Hope is on the horizon

Hope is on the horizon

By Tanya Mahrous, Best Friends Network Volunteer Writer

As reported in The National newspaper online on November 23, 2008, the animal rights movement in Egypt is starting to gain some awareness. For the dedicated animal rights volunteers, it is not a moment too soon.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recently hosted its animal welfare conference in Cairo – a sign that awareness of these issues is increasing in this region. The conference brought together veterinarians, humane organizations and government officials from around the world to discuss animal welfare standards. Among the many topics discussed, the guidelines for establishing humane standards to control stray populations were one of the most relevant here in Egypt.

A key advocate of these efforts is Amina Abaza, the founder for the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (S.P.A.R.E.). She has made it her mission to educate children by visiting schools and teaching them about compassion and humane treatment for all animals. It is her belief that teaching children at a young age to not harm or injure animals is the future, as the lessons learned early will stay with them for their whole lives. Her beliefs sometimes put her at odds with those who criticize her for helping animals, even when the majority of people live below the poverty line. Nevertheless, this has not deterred her focus as she seeks to educate people that animals are sentient beings that deserve to be treated with respect - and that society as a whole benefits when both animals and people receive this respect.

As Amina and the many other dedicated volunteers continue with their mission, they plead for assistance from the government to implement policies that are more humane. A recent letter sent by Brigitte Bardot to President Hosni Mubarak seems to have sparked some response by the government, as Mubarak requested a report on the situation. Only time will tell if there will be any change to future policies.

It is a long road but there are signs of hope. Wealthy Egyptians are starting to appreciate the joys and benefits of sharing their homes with pets. The government is asking for intervention and seeking reports and animal welfare conferences are being held in Cairo. Through it all, animal welfare volunteers continue to spread their message - in the hope that change will come and a better future for all animals is just around the corner.

To see the entire article, please visit The National newspaper online (United Arab Emirates).

How you can help:
Visit the S.P.A.R.E. website to learn more about their work or to donate to their efforts

Visit the Egypt Community on the Best Friends Network to learn about other successful programs and efforts taking place in Egypt.

Photo of a stray mom and her pups in Cairo. Provided by Tanya Mahrous

Comments

Posted February 20, 2009, 7:22PM by PamelaB

S.P.A.R.E. and Amina Abaza are of heroic stature to me. It is an amazing thing that she does, being everywhere at once, and able to do it so effectively!

The donkey sanctuary at Saqqara, the first in Egypt, is adjacent to Amina's home.

Remember Saqqara? The famous stepped pyramid, older than the pyramids of Giza? How magical it is to have this place as your home. Of course, the donks don't care too much about history. They're just happy to have enough to eat, and a kind hand, and nothing at all to do but what they want!

I hope that you will visit the website, for the photos of Amina and her donks, and of the ancient landscape, are beautiful and revealing--of what she is up against, of what she has achieved.

Posted December 07, 2008, 3:33AM by Mariana

A sign of hope- excellent!
We will hold you all in the Light.
Best wishes from Quaker Concern for Animals in Britain.