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Ukraine
News Archive: Spring 2003
Helter Shelter
Article in the Kyiv Post, Ukraine's English speaking newspaper, 6th March 2003
Finally, after several weeks of dialogue with the Kyiv Post, we finally managed to get an article printed about the management, activities and methods of the city-funded 'Animals in the City' (AIC) organisation. It's not as strong as we would have liked, but it did make the front page! (Unfortunately the media is strongly controlled in Ukraine - no free press.)
At the beginning of the year, Naturewatch was contacted by a number of animal welfarists and concerned members of the public in Kyiv regarding a panel meeting that took place last November headed by the Vice Mayor of Kyiv, to investigate the Animals in the City organisation. The ten-page translation of the cassette recording made at the meeting echoes the concerns that have been voiced by many animal welfarists over the years, in fact since the AIC organisation was first set up in 1998. The investigation confirmed that the criticism 'Animals in the City' has attracted is justified and recommended cancelling the contract with Nina Samofalova, Director of AIC.
Naturewatch contacted the Kyiv Post and asked the editor to follow-up the investigation and draw attention to the findings as they are of public interest. It is simply scandalous to allow the current management of AIC to continue pulling the wool over the eyes of the authorities.
As far back as April 1999 European animal welfare groups were voicing their concerns about the AIC organisation when Naturewatch organised for a half-page letter, signed by 12 western animal welfare organisations, to be printed on the 'Opinion' page of the Kyiv Post newspaper.
Promotion of Animal Protection Legislation
The Society maintains close contact with Borys Bespaly, a well-respected parliamentary deputy, who has always been extremely supportive of the animal protection activities being carried out by SPA-SOS. The Society has also rallied together organisations, influential officials from the Ministry of Justice, MPs, veterinarians and university professors who are all keen to promote the need for the adoption of animal protection legislation and introduction of humane stray control methods.
The Kyiv Society for the Protection of Animals 'SOS' (SPA-SOS) has translated and distributed to parliamentarians and the media relevant legislation of some European countries and continues to promote international legal standards and norms for animal protection, including the Council of Europe Convention on animal welfare issues adopted in Strasbourg in 1987.
Working closely with the appropriate specialists in the Institute of State and Law and the Ministry of Justice, SPA-SOS has improved a previous draft of the legislation which is currently being examined by the appropriate parliamentary commission and the Cabinet. In December, SPA-SOS was invited to attend an important Cabinet meeting to discuss progress in preparing the legislation and this was followed by a second Cabinet meeting in mid-January.
The fact that SPA-SOS has been invited to be involved with the preparation and progress of this legislation at the highest level is a strong indication that the Society is finally receiving the respect it deserves. We sincerely hope, that after many years of tireless struggle, the adoption of animal protection legislation will finally be approved this year.
Kyiv Zoo
Since the visit of SPA-SOS and Naturewatch representatives to the Zoo in September, a dialogue has been ongoing with EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) to draw attention to our concerns about the welfare of many of the animals. As the result of letters written by Naturewatch and well-respected individuals who have visited the Zoo recently (including zoo inspectors and advisory directors of animal welfare organisations who have made unofficial visits), we are delighted to learn that EAZA plans to carry out an official inspection of the Zoo within the next few months. A detailed update about this issue will be provided in our next newsletter after the inspection has taken place.
Kyiv Christmas Bazaar
And finally, on a lighter note, in early December SPA-SOS was once again invited to take part in the annual Christmas Bazaar held by the International Women's Club (mainly wives of the many diplomats representing all the foreign embassies in Ukraine). The Bazaar was attended by more than 10,000 Kyivites and all money raised was for the benefit of Ukraine's orphanages. Although SPA-SOS was unable to accept donations, it was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and distribute information about the pioneering animal welfare activities of the Society and its animal protection shelter. As a direct result of the bazaar, we were delighted to learn that thirty animals from the shelter were rehomed. In addition, SPA-SOS managed to sign up several more volunteers for the shelter whose help is invaluable and ensures the animals receive the one-to-one attention they benefit from so greatly.
