ONE WEEK TO GO … Causeway Coast Dog Rescue hosts Northern Ireland’s only Companion Animal Welfare Conference, to be held in Stormont on 2nd October from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The conference is for key stakeholders and decision makers in animal welfare, (Charities, 11 councils, DAERA and Central Government Departments, PSNI, MLAs and Councillors) primarily delegates from Northern Ireland while welcoming key speakers from all of the UK and Ireland. Experts in their field, Northern Ireland has never experienced this calibre of experts who will be sharing best practice and experiences from their area of expertise, which includes our very own Simon Doherty BVMS CertAqV CBiol FRSB FHEA ARAgS FRCVS who will be discussing ‘One Health, and what that means for us to work in collaboration’.
“Northern Ireland requires updated legislation which aligns with the rest of the UK so we may protect companion animals, while ensuring their health and wellbeing” states Tara Cunningham, CCDR Manager and conference organiser, she continued “animal welfare crosses so many boundaries into other Departments’ responsibilities, not only DAERAs.
“We have called many times for Minister Muir to deliver an Animal Welfare Strategy, and to commission a Review of Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland, while also moving forward our legislation and ultimately securing an Animal Welfare Commissioner, similar to those in other countries.
“What is crucial, is that all eleven councils fulfil their legislative remit in investigating, enforcing and prosecuting those who break the law and continue to abuse and neglect animals.
“Some of the experiences by charities should never be witnessed with the heinous crimes towards dogs and cats which come into our care.
“WE have also been calling for the Minister to ensure his legislation is being delivered. Simply changing the law is not enough. Those responsible for it must deliver it.
“Difficult subjects we will be discussing in the conference will be the impact from Domestic Violence, Coercive Control, mental health impact on our volunteers and staff, and ultimately what is the actual cost to us charities for helping councils deliver their legislative responsibility?”
Key speakers, some of which advise at at Westminster, include: Peter Laurie, CEO Battersea Dog and Cats Home, Adam Clowes Ops Manager Dogs Trust UK with Manager Conor Okane; Rebecca Cooper Director Association of Dog and Cats Homes, (ADCH); Dr Tara Quinn CPsychol AFBOsS HCPC Reg; Mark Randell, Naturewatch focusing on Coercive Control and the impact on companion animals; Professor Carri Westgarth, Chair in Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Liverpool; Dr Paula Boyden, BVetMed MRCVS. Chair, The Links Group and Veterinary Director, Dogs Trust; and two legal advisors from north and south Ireland who will be focusing on legislation and policy.
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