Manifesto for a Zero Abandonment Rate
In the late autumn of 2004, the Affinity Foundation and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Specialized in Small Animals (AVEPA) presented the “Manifesto for a Zero Abandonment Rate”, a proposal based on a global pact aimed at eradicating dog and cat abandonment in Spain.
This manifesto encourages all the institutions and all the people who love animals to join forces in an effort to lower the present abandonment rate in Spain down to the levels shown by the countries of Northern Europe where abandonment is almost nonexistent. In this manifesto, the Affinity Foundation and AVEPA vindicate birth control and seeking the advice of a veterinary surgeon as the only valid way to fight against abandonment, a course of action which has already been adopted in the countries presently boasting the lowest abandonment rates.
Through the “Manifesto for a Zero Abandonment Rate”, The Affinity Foundation and AVEPA are calling on all the Spanish institutions and citizens to reconsider their present policies and join forces in the fight against animal abandonment by preventing its main cause: homeless because unwanted new-born puppies and kittens.
It is urgent to put an end to a situation that is the cause of almost 100% of the cases of abandoned dogs and cats if we want to avoid the suffering felt by those animals condemned either to be put to death or to live in confinement for the rest of their life.
The Affinity Foundation diffused the Manifesto among 430 Town Councils, 50 Official Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, 11 Schools of Veterinary Medicine, 170 Animal and Plant Protecting Societies, and we received numerous answers expressing their adherence, the list of which we shall publish soon.
In June of 2005, the City Council of Madrid adhered to the “Manifesto for a Zero Abandonment Rate”, which was officially signed by the Manager of Madrid Salud, José Manuel Torrecilla, during a public ceremony.
Madrid Salud is an organization aimed at optimizing the relationship between citizens and nimals, focusing mainly on matters related to health, safety and coexistence; at promoting positive activities concerning animals, among them the prevention of abandonment; at improving specific knowledge among people living with animals; and at proposing formal agreements to be reached with the different administrations, foundations, associations for the defence of animals, etc… with a view to achieving all the above mentioned goals.
