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Ukraine
News Archive: Spring 2002
Letter from Tamara Tarnawska, President of SPA-SOS
Dear Friends
This year has begun rather positively with an invitation to speak at the Ukrainian-British symposium on bioethics which is to take place on March 2nd - 4th in Kyiv.
On January 26th a very interesting meeting took place at the shelter attended by several very influential dignitaries. In addition to our regular volunteers we were pleased to receive Carlos Pascual, US Ambassador to Ukraine, who became a member of the Shelter Support Committee; Mr P Svitlychny, Business Manager of the Kyiv Rada (Parliament); Mr P Kopyl, former Deputy Head of the Moskovsky District (the area where the SOS Animal Shelter is located and a staunch supporter of SPA-SOS); Mr O Noschenko, Director General of the company who manage two world-famous Ukrainian boxers and Diplomats from the embassies of Britain and Germany.
The Diplomatic interest stirred the city authorities to promise the shelter financial assistance and to arrange a proper water supply to the shelter and modernise the electricity supply! Although the city authorities have made many promises of help in the past, this time we feel more hopeful.
The following day, Mr Svitlychny asked me to prepare a detailed article on animal protection in Ukraine which he promised would be printed in newspapers. I prepared the article and was very pleasantly surprised to see he kept his promise. I'd like to believe that the attention being shown by the city authorities to the work of SOS isn't simply an ideal opportunity to increase votes in the forthcoming election to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) which is to take place in March!
SPA-SOS Animal Shelter
Thankfully, recent staffing problems at the shelter seem to have stabilised. Thanks to the generosity of Naturewatch Foundation and its supporters, SOS continues to neuter about 52 dogs and cats per week and treat many dogs that are injured in road accidents (224 in 2001). Since the beginning of the year our veterinary clinic has been open from 9.00am until midnight as many animals are found injured on the city streets at night. To help the injured animals, we have organised the work of our vets in two shifts which means we will be able to help even more animals than last year.
Student Training
We have now begun to use the shelter for training students. In February, we welcomed our first student from the veterinary faculty of Kharkiv University. Our next student will be from Bila Tserkva and our third from Donetsk.
Alternatives to the use of animals during student training
The Biology students of Shevchenko University have now been provided with several computers, a scanner and printers which means their use of animals has decreased by eighty-five percent! Professor Makarchuk, Head of the Institute of Physiology, was instrumental in this wonderful achievement. Thanks to him we have also managed to convince the Dean and other lecturers, who were sceptical about the introduction of alternative methods, that it is possible to reach the necessary standard of education without the use of animals. SPA-SOS will continue to build upon this contact with Kyiv Universities and encourage the introduction of alternative teaching methods. Unfortunately, at this point in time, some animals will continue to be used.
The University Vivarium
For over three years the Society has been trying to influence a change to the awful conditions for lab animals in the University Vivarium. Many visits and discussions led to the University Rector's approval of our plans on the 8th February. We can begin immediately, however, the University will not help with funding so SPA-SOS must find the money to pay for the project. I consider it one of our greatest victories and hope that others will follow.
Together with Professor Makarchuk, the Society is preparing for an international seminar in May on the introduction of alternative methods of training students, a goal Professor Makarchuk has been working towards for the past eighteen months.
Yours sincerely
Tamara Tarnawska
President SPA-SOS
