$1m raised to improve animal welfare

The Animals 360 Foundation’s Animal Pride Programme and its network of supporters have raised more than $1 million for sterilising socially-displaced dogs and cats and those cared for by lower-income earners. This has been used to spay or neuter 3,800 animals, the foundation said in a media release.

The foundation says its supporters, comprising corporate and private citizens, including vets, have been working nationwide in their commitment to improving animal welfare.

All of this is done, it said, "with the purpose of controlling the overpopulation of dogs and cats and by extension, ending the suffering of these sentient beings."

The foundation said it was in awe of the private-sector support it had received and the actions of these supporters in leading by example, motivating a humane society of compassionate citizens.

But Animals 360 Foundation said in conjunction with its supporters, recognising that the private sector cannot do it alone, it has "time and time again made representation to the executive and legislative branches of the State" to legislate regulations to protect animals.

"To date," it said, "no substantive recommendations or regulations have been implemented."

The foundation is again calling on the government to do its part by implementing animal welfare standards and regulations, including stray-dog control.

It quoted Gandhi as saying, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated," and urged: "Let us not be judged by our poor state of animal welfare in TT."