Act 4 Animals

During the ACT 4 Ukraine activities, one of our volunteers noticed the large numbers of dogs wandering as strays or living in difficult conditions, both in Ukraine and throughout Romania. Upon further research, she found that Romania has the largest stray dog population in Europe. This situation creates both an animal welfare concern (lack of food and shelter; susceptibility to injury and disease) as well as a human health hazard (risks of dog bites and rabies). There is a great need for food, shelter and medical care for these animals in many parts of the world. Animal sanctuaries and rescues are always in need of support.

The primary objective of ACT 4 Animals will be to alleviate animal suffering and hunger, mainly by providing food and shelter and treating injuries and disease. Secondary objectives are to improve animal health with medical and vaccination programs, to reduce stray animal populations through sterilization programs, educate the public about animal care, and foster the human-animal bond through programs such as animal therapy.

The One Health Model considers that optimal health can be achieved by recognizing the relationships between humans, animals and the environment. Ideally, ACT 4 Animals will be based on the One Health Model as we recognize the interconnection of all beings.

Some activities of the project include:

• workshops to educate the public about animal care
• providing food for stray and rescued animals
• holding animal care or training workshops with a small fee
• animal therapy programs- both horses and dogs have been used as therapy in senior homes, with disabled persons and those suffering from mental health disorders
• set up sterilization and vaccination campaigns for dog/cat shelters
• developing and sharing recipes for, and distributing vegan dog treats/food
• developing a resource list of veterinarians, animal trainers, animal care experts in each country for a source of information and education.