[Animals] Days of adoption of companion animals in Parque Rodó

[#Wittels-]

In addition to choosing cats and dogs, this weekend you will be able to attend workshops on awareness and care.

 

“It is the third time that we have held these conferences; they have been a total success, since they allowed the adoption of more than 200 animals each year ”, said Patricia Durán, representative of Apa, the shelter that organizes this weekend's activity together with the Montevideo City Council (IM), and member of the Asociación Animalista Libera. Regarding the adoption requirements during those days, in Parque Rodó, he said that “although each shelter or rescuer has its own independent methods, what is generally done is to register the person who is interested, then a visit is made and they are analyzed the conditions to make or not the adoption ”. In his experience, not everyone comes close with the decision made: “Many times people will meet. So what you do is bring some animals. For example, this year from Apa we are going to take four or five adult dogs, although we have more than 400 in charge, and if the person does not feel connection with these animals, they can visit the shelter another day, ”he explained.

The activity will take place in ten tents installed on Dr. Antonio María Rodríguez Street, near the Casino Parque Hotel. On Saturday the hours will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (dogs and cats will be up to an hour before closing, for health reasons). Both days they will talk about public protection policies, what has been achieved in Uruguay, and Law 18,471 on Animal Welfare. Proposals and campaigns of the Asociación Animalista Libera will also be presented. On the closing, on Sunday, there will be a talk for the promotion of a diet based on vegetable protein; environmental reality, health and food justice, and an ethical view of animals.

 

Previous steps and follow-up
"In this edition it is the first time that, in addition to the presence of the shelters, a series of informative workshops will be held to raise awareness and promote animal care, welfare, responsible ownership and coexistence of the animal with the environment," he said. Daniel González, deputy secretary general of the IM.

The Asociación Animalista Libera was in charge of making the call and selection of the shelters and is the one that coordinates the details of the sanitary protocol and responsible adoption that the participating institutions must comply with, as previously coordinated with the IM. "We consider it important to highlight that the animals are not delivered on the day itself, because before there are a series of steps that the adopters must comply with and that imply prior work and subsequent commitments to ensure the conditions of the animal in its new home. ”, Described the hierarch. Even after the adoption is finalized, the shelter makes visits to verify that the pets are being well cared for. Among the commitments that were obtained are mandatory sterilization after six months, vaccinations and deworming, affiliation to a veterinarian, food according to their needs, and accepting visits to verify the status of the animal.

 

Asked about other actions in which the IM is involved, González said that “they work in coordination with shelters when there are specific cases of abandoned animals. In addition, it aims to promote coexistence and responsible ownership of animals in the city, establishing authorized public spaces where dogs can be loose, under the responsibility of their owners. In addition to this, there is a dog park on Rambla Wilson and Bulevar Artigas, where people can go to train or walk their pets. On the other hand, every year the Intendancy carries out free castration days for dogs and cats in different neighborhoods; This year it had to be postponed for a few months, since the health emergency made it difficult to carry out, but a first stage will begin before the end of the year ”, he indicates.

 

A responsibility
Sofia Ciliano is a canine educator and will be giving a workshop on Sunday, from 10.30 to 11.00, about her specialty and the importance of a good bond with dogs. "When a person adopts in Apa, I give them a free online session and support to help the adopter and especially the animal adapt," he said. Regarding the workshop that he will be in charge of on the second day, he said that “beyond the fact that the dog does not have specific problems, it is very important to work in coexistence, perhaps fears that the animal has, because they are dogs that are more used to living with other dogs than with people. Seeing that is fundamental ”, he emphasized. There will be given “guidelines for coexistence and activities or exercises that can be done so that when the animals arrive at the new home they are calmer, they can channel their emotions and that whoever adopts knows something about, for example, the ages at which some will happen. changes in their pets ”.

For those who are thinking of adopting, the educator said that “it is essential to understand that it is a responsibility, that an animal needs not only love and affection, but that certain routines of learning, play and bond must be fulfilled, and it is necessary to have some time to dedicate to them ”, he explained. Finally, he emphasized that the animal needs a space and activities such as smell, which is that through the search for food, the dog develops practice. "You don't have to humanize them, you have to ask yourself what they need as animals," he concluded.

 

Link: https://ladiaria.com.uy/cotidiana/articulo/2021/11/jornadas-de-adopcion-de-animales-de-compania-en-parque-rodo/