CARE AND TREATMENT OF CATS
FERAL
CAT HEALTH : FeLV/FIV Testing
From
www.castawaycritters.org/dynapage/display?PageID=157
PO Box
86
Elizabethtown,
PA 17022
email
address
info@castawaycritters.org
CASTAWAY
CRITTERS
The James A.
Hueholt Memorial Foundation for Animals
Feral Cat
Health: FeLV/FIV Testing
by Beth Mersten,
Best Friends Animal Society & Anita Frullani, Castaway
Critters
*Note: While
this article pertains mainly to feral cats, this
information also is useful for friendly stray and pet
cats.
Whether you are
a colony caretaker or a program director of a feral cat
spay/neuter program, there are some issues regarding the
testing of retroviruses such as Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) to
consider.
There are many
sources of information regarding feral cats and testing
these cats for FeLV/FIV. Here, we give you scientific data
based upon published research performed by veterinarians
and scientists; information from the American Association
of Feline Practitioners, a chapter of the American
Veterinary Medical Association; as well as recommendations
from some of the largest and most well-respected feral cat
organizations in the United States, including Alley Cat
Allies, a leader in the TNR field.
If a cat
initially tests positive for FIV or FeLV, it does NOT mean
the cat is positive. The words "test positive" are
specifically used because "we are not talking about cats
who have the disease or even are positive, but cats who
test positive and that's a very important distinction",
says Nathan Winograd, former Director of the San Francisco
SPCA and current Director of the Tompkins County Humane
Society.
Nathan Winograd
states "the San Francisco SPCA realized that the incidence
rate of positive cats is the same for feral cats as it is
for the pet cat population. Twenty percent of cats who test
positive will be false positive cats ... higher with
kittens. Besides wasted funds and false positives, in the
end only about 10% of cats who are infected with FIV
actually come down with the disease. Ninety percent -- 9
out of 10 infected cats -- will lead completely normal
lives."
"Essential to
the decision-making process is an understanding of the
nature of both viruses and the limitations of the tests
used to detect them," cautions Alley Cat Allies. The tests
are not always accurate, reports the American Association
of Feline Practitioners. For FIV, the testing method used
most widely is the ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent
Assay) test, which detects whether FIV antibodies are
present in the blood -- not whether the virus itself is
present, explains Neighborhood Cats. "As a result, the test
is completely unreliable for cats under six months of age
who may have received FIV antibodies from their nursing
mother, but may never have been exposed to the actual
virus. For adult cats, because of the recent introduction
of the FIV vaccine, there is now the possibility a positive
test result means a cat has been vaccinated, not infected.
Also, a positive result may only indicate recent exposure,
not infection."
The most
commonly used ELISA is the IDEXX SNAP test. Neighborhood
Cats continues, "The ELISA is also used for FeLV. The test
is extremely sensitive and is prone to false positives from
improper handling. In addition, a cat in the early stages
of FeLV infection can still fight it
off."
The AAFP
guidelines state that a cat testing positive after a single
test must be re-tested using a second method of testing
after a specific period of time. It is usually impractical
if not impossible to hold a feral cat for the period of
time necessary for re-testing purposes
(AAFP/Griffin).
TNR experts
Alley Cat Allies recommend that "before making a decision
on testing, it is important to assess the cats you are
planning to trap and formulate a management plan first. Are
the cats truly feral or are the cats strays? Will the cats
go back to the colony or be homed? Clearly, tamable kitten
and strays should be tested before being placed in foster
or adoptive homes so they can be cared for properly. But
what about untamable adults who will be returned to the
colony site?"
Studies
performed by Dr. Julie Levy, DVM, founder of Operation
Catnip-Gainesville-FL, and other veterinarians and
scientists published in the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association have shown that "there is no
greater incident of disease in feral cats than there is in
tame, owned free-roaming cats." The average rate of
infection is 3 to 6% of both pet cats and feral/stray cats,
reports Dr. Brenda Griffin, Veterinarian and Professor at
Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Auburn University.
Studies show
that using our scarce economic resources to sterilize more
cats than otherwise would be sterilized given the cost of
testing, actually works to more quickly reduce the number
of FeLV positive cats considering that our area has a
euthanasia rate of over 50% for cats (AZCats, AAFP, CPAA).
In addition, removing a cat who has initially tested
positive from a colony does not "eliminate the risk of
infection to other cats, who have likely already been
exposed to the virus, anyway." (Neighborhood Cats). In
addition, exposure does not mean infection (AzCATS).
Neighborhood
Cats says the "primary cause of infection relates more to
proper colony management than to a particular positive cat
or cats. In our experience, colonies with lots of sick cats
are ones that are poorly managed - poor nutrition,
inadequate shelter and/or unneutered animals. These
conditions lead to weakened immune systems and
susceptibility to disease. Indeed, some veterinarians
believe it is rare for a healthy adult cat to ever catch
FeLV. The best way to prevent the spread of disease is thus
not by killing individual cats, but by improving the
quality of food, making sure the cats have warm, dry
shelter in winter and getting them
neutered."
Alley Cat Allies
says that "despite their being concern over viruses, there
is no feline disease that kills more cats than
overpopulation." Viruses can be reduced by simply by
implementing a high volume sterilization program. In fact,
Alley Cat Allies, AzCats and Operation Catnip all state
that sterilization reduces or eliminates the behaviors
which spread disease---roaming, fighting, mating, and the
production of kittens.
Feral cats who
are cared for by a caretaker are sterilized, and live in
managed colonies are very healthy, studies show. It is
unaltered cats, regardless of whether they are from feral
colonies or private homes, that wander, fight, reproduce,
and have the potential to spread disease. Sterilization
reduces or eliminates the behaviors which spread disease
(AZCats/Operation Catnip).
Some caretakers
believe that placing cats that initially test positive for
either FIV, FeLV or both, together is a viable option. It
is important to keep in mind that the cats may be in the
process of fighting off a virus. If one makes the decision
to test, it is important to follow the AAFP testing
guidelines and re-test.
Even if a cat
happens to be FIV+, Neighborhood Cats founder Bryan Kortis
says "An FIV cat especially should not be around FeLVs,
because an FIV cat could lead a very long life around
other, non-FIV cats. But putting them around FeLV positives
means they'll catch that virus too, being
immune-compromised, and die early." Removing a cat that
tests positive will not necessarily prevent the spread of
infection within the colony since the colony's exposure to
the virus would already have occurred. Kortis and AzCATS
suggest these positive cats have a much better chance when
left in their colonies and monitored for if and when the
day comes that they reach a terminal stage
(AzCats/Neighborhood Cats).
FIV is
transmitted primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds
made by male unneutered cats, who roam and fight other
unneutered males over territory and females. It is unlikely
for a mother cat to infect her kittens with FIV (Alley Cat
Allies). Nathan Winograd explains that because the primary
modes of transmission of FIV are bites, neutering will go a
long way to prevent the spread of FIV because altering
affects both:
"reducing or
eliminating fighting as well as roaming and
mating."
Veterinarian and
researcher of feral cat issues, Dr. Julie Levy, states FeLV
is transmitted primarily from mother to kittens. It also is
transmitted via saliva by mutual grooming and sharing food
dishes. Therefore, spaying these cats reduces the primary
transfer of the virus by eliminating the capacity for
reproduction.
When talking
with Alley Cat Allies, Dr. Levy of Operation Catnip posed
two provocative questions: "Will testing cats reduce the
number sterilized?" and "Will returning sterilized infected
cats reduce the spread of disease?"
Dr. Levy's
scientific model below, excerpted from Alley Cat Allies
"Overpopulation Kills More Cats Than Any Disease", is based
on two assumptions. One being that the female cat produces
5.7 kittens per year that survive to adulthood; and two,
75% of an FeLV infected queen's kittens also become
infected.
Effect of Test
and Removal on FeLV prevalence
1) Without
Operation Catnip 2) Operation Catnip testing and
euthanizing FeLV+ cats 3)Operation Catnip, no
testing
# cats terilized
0 833 1500
# cats left
intact 1500 667 0
# intact females
(65% of population) 975 434 0
# cats tested
and euthanized 0 58 0
# FeLV positive
cats (7% of population) : 105 (all intact) 47 (all intact)
105 (all altered)
# kittens born
in one year (5.7perfemale) 5,558 2,474 0
# FeLV positive
kittens born 292 130 0
Total # FeLV
Cats and kittens 397 177 105
As you can see,
this model shows the "effectiveness of sterilizing a
greater number of cats over testing and neutering or not
doing anything at all" (Alley Cat
Allies).
As a result of
the scientific studies regarding testing and feral cat
population control, numerous organizations operating
large-scale feral cat spay/neuter clinics have changed
their policies regarding the testing of FeLV and FIV. Among
the many organizations which no longer test nor recommend
testing are:
*Alley Cat
Allies, www.alleycat.org
*Neighborhood
Cats,
www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/releasing.htm
*Operation
Catnip, Gainesville, FL,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/test.pdf (Note: This
group also has clinics operating in Richmond, VA and
Raleigh, NC),
www.operationcatnip.org ,
www.operationcatnip.net ,
www.operationcatnip.com ;
*Feral Cat
Coalition,
www.feralcat.com/tpolicy.html
*Azcats,
www.azcats.org/faqs.html#10
Best Friends'
Veterinarian, Dr. Richard Allen says "FIV is not limited to
domestic (house) cats but can be found in the big cats as
well, 84% of Seregenti lions harbor FIV and the virus has
been identified in 25 species of cats around the globe,
from cougars in Wyoming to snow leopards in the Himalayas.
It appears that felines have gradually developed the
ability to live with the FIV virus for long periods of
time. FIV should not be a sentence or a stigma. It's time
to end the fear and misinformation about this virus and to
spread the truth about FIV."
Dr. Allen also
says it is possible to keep a FIV-infected cat in the same
household (or colony) as a healthy cat with little risk of
transmission as long as the cats tolerate each other and
are not fighting.
In closing, Dr.
Levy said "it is important to remember that we are in the
midst of a crisis. Shelters all over the country are
killing stray and feral cats at an alarming rate.
Increasing the number of animals who are spayed and
neutered is the single most effective way to help control
the crisis and reduces the suffering of stray and feral
cats" (Operation Catnip Interview).
Sources for this
fact sheet:
*Central
Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, 2003 Statistics
*FIV
- Catching a bad Case of Rumors, Kristi Littrell,
www.bestfriends.org/sanctuary/creature/FIV.htm
*Brenda Griffin,
DVM, Feral Cat Q & A for Veterinarians,
CastawayCritters.org/FeralCatQandA.pdf
*Neighborhood
Cats, Releasing FIV/FeLV Positive Cats,
www.neighborhoodcats.org/info/releasing.htm
*NMHP Forum,
Best Friends Network Coordinator Beata Liebetruth,
www.bestfriends.org/nmhp/forumarchive/qa707to711bfn.html#six
*Should We
Release Feral Cats Who Test Positive for FIV?, Nathan
Winograd,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/fca_spring01.pdf
*To Test or Not
to Test,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/test.pdf
*AZ Cats,
www.azcats.org/faqs.html#10
*American
Association of Feline Practitioners Testing
Guidelines,
www.aafponline.org/pdf/ guidelines_retrovirus_testing_2001.pdf
*Building the
Body of Evidence that TNR Works, Julie Levy, DVM,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/buildingthebody.pdf
*American Feline
Association of Feline Practitioner's Position
Statement,
www.aafponline.org/positionstate.htm
*Interview with
Operation Catnip's Dr. Julie Levy,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/test.pdf
*Overpopulation
Kills More Cats than Any Disease,
www.alleycat.org/pdf/over.pdf
Go
to
www.alleycat.org/faqs.html
for "Frequently
Asked Questions" etc.
DECLAWING
YOUR CAT
PAWS COME WITH
CLAWS - THAT'S ONE OF NATURE'S LAWS
Many cat owners,
who genuinely love their cats, have no idea what declawing
means to their animals. Declawing means far more than
leaving your cat defenseless against an attack
outdoors.
Scratching is a
normal characteristic of a healthy cat. It exercises the
foot muscles and removes dead tissue from the nails. It
also has a soothing, comforting effect that creates a
tranquil disposition.
IT
MEANS:
The severing of
ligaments and tendons that bring pain.
The creating of
an imbalance that can lead to injury.
A change in
personality and temperament.
A cat may go
berserk, bite and growl.
It means you, as
the cat guardian, have renounced the responsibility you
assumed when you fell in love with that kitten or
cat.
HOW IMPORTANT
ARE A CAT'S CLAWS?
Dr. Louis J.
Camuti, a practicing veterinarian for 58 years, puts it
this way: "I wouldn't declaw a cat if you paid me $1,000
per nail!"
Have you often
wondered at a cat's remarkable grace and agility, it's
faultless sense of balance?
To a great
extent, this is due to its ingeniously designed retractable
claws that allow it to establish footing for walking,
running, springing, climbing or stretching.
WHAT HAPPENS TO
A CAT WHEN IT IS DECLAWED?
First, it
awakens from anesthesia, with its feet throbbing under the
bandages, next, it has pain and then it finds it has
trouble walking.
The physical
effect of declawing is gradual weakening of the muscles of
the legs, shoulder and back. Balance is impaired.
Emotionally cats feel defenceless and thus live in a
constant state of stress, making them more prone to
disease.
Despite its
grace, a cat is not sure-footed. Without the lighting-quick
ability to grasp with its claws, it can easily be injured
in a fall.
Deprived of its
claws, a cat may turn to its only other form of defense-
its teeth. It is fairly common for a declawed cat to become
a biter. They do this out of fear and
frustration.
WHY DO PEOPLE
MAKE THEIR ANIMALS SUFFER THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL
DISORIENTATION OF DECLAWING?
"To protect the
furniture" is the most common reason.
"To keep my cat
from scratching us when we try to play with him" is
another.
What can you as
a cat guardian do to protect yourself and your furniture
without harming your cat?
GIVE YOUR CAT A
MANICURE
It's best to
start when it's a kitten. Take your cat to a professional
groomer, or you can do it yourself. Use a pair of clippers
made especially for cats. Have your vet show you
how.
PROVIDE YOUR CAT
WITH HIS OWN FURNITURE
Your cat should
be fluffy-the scratching post should be rough and coarse.
Buy a sisal (a harsh, scratchy hemp product) scratching
post or make your own inexpensively.
TRAIN YOUR
CAT
When a kitten
starts to scratch furniture, gently pull it off and place
its front paws on the scratching post. Keep the post in an
easily accessible place so the cat becomes accustomed to
using it.
If an older cat
persists in scratching furniture, give it a squirt of
lukewarm water from a child's water gun. Spray it any place
but in the face. At the same time, say a sharp "NO." then
take it back to its scratching post.
Shake a small
amount of pleasantly scented bath oil on a piece of cotton.
Attach the cotton to the part of the furniture that the cat
scratches. It will repel the cat as long as the aroma
remains.
Your cat gives
you love and loyalty. Its the most it can give. You owe it
the same love and loyalty. But you owe it one thing more-to
leave its paws with claws.
SO, IF YOU LOVE
YOUR CAT, DON'T DECLAW IT!
From
EnglandGal@aol.com
/> Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004
Subject: ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter - Part 1 - Issue #
09/05/04
WARNING
- HARTZ ADVANCED FLEA AND TICK DROPS
From: Julia Sharp,
juliatat@yahoo.com
/> Subject: Terrible experience... Please read and
spread the word!!!
Last night at midnight a friend came to the house and told
me our mutual friend was laying in his driveway holding his
dog and crying. He was saying to his dog how sorry he was,
that he only wanted to help him, please don't die. I was
told Andy used Hartz advanced flea and tick drops on
Scruffy. I nearly fainted. Andy is poor, has no phone,
limited use of a car. This poor guy has no family, they are
all deceased, and his family is his four dogs. Scruffy is a
100 pound mixed breed dog with a history of epilepsy.
Scruffy was having flea problems so Andy, not having much
money, bought the Hartz product from K-Mart. He applied the
product early yesterday morning. By 6pm Scruffy was
lethargic, staggering, disoriented. By 8pm Scruffy started
seizing. With no phone,living in a rural area, all Andy
could think to do was wash Scruffy with lots of water.
Since Scruffy was seizing, Andy gave him a dose of pheno
barbital, Scruffy's seizure medicine. The seizures slowed
down. Our mutual friend just happened to be close to Andy's
around 11pm and decided to check on him and see if he
needed anything. That is when he found Andy and Scruffy in
the drive. When he saw the condition Andy was in, and the
problems Scruffy was having, he decided to come to my
house, less than 5 miles away from Andy's house, and see if
I had any info on this product. I told him to go back and
use his cell and page the vet to meet them at the clinic
immediately. I told him this is a potentially deadly
product that needs to be removed from the market. Keep the
package and get to the vets right away. Don't worry about
the bill...I told him to tell Andy that I would deal with
Hartz later.
This morning early I went to Andy's and Scruffy was weak,
dazed, slightly shocky and still needing to get to the vet.
I was shocked he wasn't at the vets already. The vet did
not answer the late night page. Our mutual friend had left
Andy the cell phone. Andy had called the vet and a ride. He
informed me that his ride would be there any minute. I
wrote down the information from the package, told him to
call me if his ride didn't show. Scruffy is at the vets now
but is still not out of the woods....please say a gentle
prayer for Scruffy....and Andy.
I called Hartz. I told them what happened to Scruffy. They
took the information and gave me a case number for Andy. He
told me that Hartz would pay the vet bill and refund his
money for the product if we provided the information and a
vet report. I asked him if he thought that would make up
for a man possibly losing his best friend. No answer. Then
I asked them if Hartz was making so much money on this
product that they continued to market it, knowing it's
deadly potential....IS THE PROFIT WORTH THE COSTS OF PAYING
THE CLAIMS? No answer. I told him that I felt Hartz was
marketing this poison to a lower income group of people and
that their company was banking on consumer ignorance. No
answer. I asked him if paying the claims was cheaper than
pulling the product...again..no answer. I asked this rep
what he personally felt about this product. He told me that
he only took the complaints, he had no answers. I asked him
if he liked working for a company that profited o! n the
death of companion animals. No answer. So I told him that
if I worked for any company that murdered animals that I
would quit that employ and make a lot of noise about it. I
told him his personal standards must be very low or
completely lacking. Still no answer. I want answers. I am
sure there are many victims of this product that want
answers.. He ended our conversation asserting that Hartz
flea and tick drops are safe and he THANKED ME FOR USING
HARTZ PRODUCTS!!!!!!!! I hung up before I said something
very insulting....then I cried for all the animals that
have died so Hartz could make money.
PLEASE make it a point to tell everyone you know to boycott
these products. Educate everyone about the potential
hazards of these products. And please look in the links
below and sign the petition against
Hartz...thanks....Julia
www.hartzvictims.org
target=_blank>Hartz Victims
WARNING
Collars of woven nylon webmaterial are
dangerous
From:
JOHNANDEBHANCOCK@AOL.com>
/> Subject: Please let every dog owner you
know....Extremely dangerouscollar!!!
THIS
COULD SAVE YOUR DOGS LIFE!!!
We hope this email may save a life. Unfortunately it is a
horrible lesson we just learned. You may remember the
beautiful girl we rescued out of O.C. shelter. 'Aya'. Aya
was out in the back playing rough with
our
other dog unsupervised ..during this play her 'Nylon web
collar ' came off. No biggie right DEADLY WRONG!!! As with
many young dogs Aya loves to chew 'everything' and she ate
her collar leaving only the plastic
clip,
adjuster, metal ring and license all this happened in less
than a half hour Friday night. Sat am she had only passed a
few small pieces vet said to watch her and all should pass
in 24 hrs. Sunday am she was not doing
well.took her to emergency by noon Sunday she was in
surgery!!!!
Severe blockage in several areas of the small intestines
and much of the collar had unraveled and was trailing
throughout her intestines and stomach . The vet had to
remove several sections of intestine where the nylon fibers
had ineffect knotted her intestine. We lost her at 5am this
morning. we are
crushed
The
way these collars and leashes are woven even 1inch can
unravel to
threads several yards long and the Nylon does not break it
just keeps
unraveling so please forward this on.
We are heartbroken. Jeff & Chika
Kritz
In answer to your questions...no We don't have a pic of the
collar for you
or a brand name. This makes no difference,these items are
sold by the 100's
at 'EVERY' pet store in the US. We purchased ours at a
local feed/pet store
in town. Go to a Petsmart or Petco and you will see dozens
of sizes,patterns
and colors on the shelf. A more detailed description: Woven
Nylon Web
material made in many colors and patterns. We have all seen
them and most of
us with dogs have such items. In my opinion it does not
matter if the clasp
or buckle is metal or plastic...that is not what caused our
babys
death.....it was the Nylon webbing coming unraveled in her
digestive tract.
This warning is for "ALL" nylon collars,
muzzles,harnesses,leads,leashes and
like products that when chewed could unravel.
Thanks, Jeff Kritz
TIPS
FOR KEEPING YOUR ALLERGIES UNDER CONTROL
From Krista Mifflin,Your Guide to Dogs - From Animal-Net
forwarded by joe miele
jmmiele@optonline.net
Are you one of the many dog lovers that can't be in the
same room as a dog without degenerating into a sneezing
fit? Don't despair! You are not alone!
dogs.about.com/cs/allergies/a/allergy_help_p.htm
Start now
a.. Visit your Allergist. Many are sympathetic to the pet
lover's plight, and anti-histamine therapy is available for
minour allergies. Immunotherapy allergy shots are also
there for the heavy-hitting allergens. Ask your Allergist
about starting a therapeutic program to get a handle on
your allergies.
a.. Air Filters are essential to any allergic household,
regardless of pets
present or not.
a.. Carpetting should be removed regardless of the
impending presence of pets or not. Carpet is one the
biggest allergen collecting items, and with a pet, that
effect is intensified.
Daily Allergy Controllers
a.. Brushing your dog daily, especially during shedding
season, in a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors) can
minimize the dust from floating furballs inside the
house.
a.. Vacuuming regularly, to catch and remove the
afore-mentioned "floating furballs".
Weekly Maintenaince
a.. Hot water washing of all sheets and bedding that the
pet lays on, even yours, if your bed is his favourite
resting place. Note AAP ironing works
prefect
a.. Plain water rinsing of the dog will be the biggest
allergen reducer. Even a dog with little dander will pick
up allergens on his coat. Dust, pollen, and dirt all
contribute to the "allergic" effect of a dog. Use plain
water only, as shampoos and conditions can add to the
allergen factor.
a.. Wash the walls and floors of your house in mild dish
soap to remove accumulated dander from the
walls.
It's a lot of work, but nobody can deny the effect of a
loving pet on the well-being of his owner. I have found the
rewards of having dogs far outweigh any inconvenience of a
cleaning regime, and would not want them anywhere but by my
side, in my house, and under my feet.
DR.
CARLOS NÉGRIER, VETERINARIAN, SPEAKS
OUT...
"In our clinic we often receive animals that are
deliberately poisoned with the intention to kill
them.
We know that the same happens in all clinics in the Algarve
because this is a common practice in this part of the
country. We think that this is a cruelty and has to be end.
Therefore we would be glad to be of assistance to all who
could help to change this situation.
We would be pleased to co-operate with all persons,
national and international public organisations to
drastically reduce or even stop this barbaric
custom.
It seems to me that it is essential to involve the
municipalities, as they are responsible for the gathering
and sheltering of abandoned dogs, a task they neglect
altogether and consequently contribute to the uncontrolled
growth of that population.
It is important to make the tourist industry aware of its
responsibility, as it is often reported that at some times
of the year in places like golf courses many animals are
poisoned to avoid any "inconvenience" to the tourists. It
is also important to request the G.N.R. and the Police to
find and charge the culprits. Persons and organisations in
the field of animal protection should be called upon to
mobilize their contacts to better the
situation.
Once again, we would like to state that we are willing to
co-operate with anyone who can help change this situation
radically in the Algarve and the rest of
Portugal."
FALA
O DR. CARLOS NÉGRIER, VETERINÁRIO...
Na nossa Clínica recebemos frequentemente animais que foram
envenenados com o claro propósito de os matar.
Sabemos que o mesmo acontece em todas as clínicas do
Algarve, sendo tal crime prática comum na
região.
Cremos que tamanha crueldade deve terminar e portanto
colaboraremos com grande satisfação com seja quem for que
possa ajudar a mudar este estado de coisas.
Gostaria de colaborar com todas as pessoas e entidades
nacionais ou estrangeiras interessadas, para se reduzir
drasticamente ou até se conseguir acabar com esta bárbara
prática. Parece-me essencial envolver as Câmaras
Municipais, que têm ultimamente negligenciado a recolha de
canídeos abandonados, cujo número aumentou assim
enormemente.
Importa sensibilizar as indústrias hoteleira e turística,
pois em redor de recursos de lazer como campos de golf
aparecem em certas alturas do ano muitos animais
envenenados que assim já não "incomodam" os
turistas.
Seria também importante pedir às diversas polícias que
apurassem as responsabilidades individuais dos autores de
tais crimes.
Convém envolver todos os caridosos com os animais, pois
poderiam sensibilizar os demais quanto à
situação.
Finalmente, informo mais uma vez que estamos sempre prontos
para colaborar com quem quer que seja que possa contribuir
para alterar radicalmente esta situação no Algarve como
também nas demais regiões de Portugal.