Regional Government creates SOS Animal platform to report animal cruelty, reveals João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today at the Legislative Assembly in Horta the creation of an SOS Animal platform in the Azores, which will enable any citizen to report animal cruelty online in a confidential and prompt manner.
"This year we will launch a computer platform to report animal cruelty, which will be managed by the Regional Directorate for Agriculture in coordination with the Agricultural Development Services," said João Ponte, who spoke during a debate on a political declaration issued by PS regarding animal welfare.
The government official also informed that a regional database, interconnected with the national database, will also be operational during the first quarter of this year for free registration of all information about the animal concerned.
The Regional Secretary stressed that the issue of animal welfare is of "paramount importance for the Regional Government." In fact, very significant steps have been taken towards the defence and protection of animals, such as awareness-raising actions, television campaigns, and the monitoring and supervision of kennels and Official Collection Centres (CRO).
In turn, the government official highlighted the tenfold increase in the Plan's annual allocation for the area of animal welfare in this legislative term, from 20 to 200 thousand Euros. This measure has enabled the development and implementation of important policies with specific actions and with positive results, namely the support to animal protection associations.
"In 2018, we created the first line of support for animal protection associations, through the signing of protocols. Already this year, we increased the financial support granted to these entities by 20% and also extended public support to the municipalities that have Official Collection Centres, so that they can further invest in animal sterilisation, which is the path we must follow," said João Ponte.
According to him, the available indicators show that the path that has been followed in the Azores is the right one as, between 2017 and 2018, there were 1,250 fewer animals sheltered at kennels and Official Collection Centres. Moreover, the number of adoptions stands at about 3,000 animals per year and the number of euthanasia procedures reduced 60% in just one year.
"We are on the right track and, accordingly, it is important to continue working in coordination with municipal veterinary doctors, the municipalities and animal protection associations towards this path, which should make us all proud," stressed João Ponte.