Sheep, goats, horses, cattle, dogs, cats and birds were brought to the Free Veterinary Treatment Camp, held 3-4 October 2009 at the University of Veterinary Animal Services (UVAS) Outdoor Hospital, in celebration of World Animal Day.  About 25 veterinary doctors and students volunteered for this noble cause. Banners, posters, charts and pamphlets were displayed all over the UVAS campus to create awareness of animal welfare issues, especially among the veterinary students and public in general.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Nawaz delivered the inauguration address.  He said that animals are our companions and humans have the highest responsibility to take care of God’s creatures.

As the name suggests, all animals brought to the UVAS Free Veterinary Treatment Camp were examined and received medicines free of cost.   The free medicines were thanks to the cooperation of various pharmaceutical companies.

Getting the Word Out – On the Wings of Birds

In addition to the Free Veterinary Treatment Camp, Vets Care Organization Pakistan held a special stall at a grand bird show, held at Avari Hotel in Lahore by Budgerigar Society of Pakistan on 4 October, where volunteers handed out literature about World Animal Day. In addition to providing materials to visitors, people were offered to sign a document pledging they will not practice any cruelty to animals and will have a caring and humane attitude towards animals.

Wonderfully, people from all fields including veterinarians, media, university students, families signed the pledge. Notably, UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz, former provincial minister Rana Ikram Rabbani, famous TV actress Faryal Gohar, and President of Lahore Press Club, Judge of the bird show Mr. Gerd Bleicher as well as World Animal Day Ambassador for Pakistan Dr. Waseem Shaukat signed the pledge. In her message Faryal Gohar said that animals deserve to be treated in a humane way.

In addition to the stall, a walk on the Mall Road Lahore was organized jointly by Animal Foundation, Vets Care Organization Pakistan and the Punjab Wildlife Department. A large number of people from all three organizations and general public participated in the walk to show their commitment for the care and welfare of animals. The walk got huge media coverage that included almost all TV channels and newspapers, achieving its main goal of creating awareness among general public regarding animal rights and their welfare.

 
Only a couple weeks after the Free Treatment Camp and Grand Bird Show, Vets Care Organization organized a seminar on “Vets & Animal Welfare” on 15th of October 2009. The famous documentary “Earthlings” was played at this seminar.

Vets Care Organization Pakistan commits to continuing such activities in the future for the welfare of animals. VCOP is dedicated to promote a humane and caring attitude towards all animals and commit to making Pakistan a friendly and cruelty free environment for animals.

For More Information on Vets Care Organization of Pakistan, visit their website: http://www.vetscare.org/.

To see a local article on the World Animal Day Activities, visit this website: http://www.vetscare.org/images/wad2009/newsondawn.bmp.

Photos: Vets Care Club