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EGYPT: MENAW 2017 Conference

March 21, 2017March 21, 2017by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Menaw Conference

Cairo, March 7, 8, 9 2017

Conference Report

The Fifth MENAW Conference

“Back on Track”

Cairo, 7-9 March 2017

Special Guests

*** HE. Prof Dr. Mona Mehrez, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture,

in Charge of Animal Wealth, Poultry and All Aspects of Animal issues

*** Prof.Dr. Gaber Nasser, President of Cairo University

*** Cairo University

*** Suez Canal University

*** Ain Shams University

***GOVS, The Egyptian Organization for Veterinary Services

***Egyptian Vet Syndicate

International Organizations Attending

Pegas- Kynia
Compassion in World Farming (UK)
Donkey Sanctuary (England)
Vier Pfoten International( Four Paws)

National Animal Welfare Societies

Egypt

Egyptian Society of Animal Friends, ESAF – Hosting organization
Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals, ESMA
Brooke Hospital
Arab Federation for Wild Life Protection, AFWP
Egyptian Mau Rescue Organization, EMRO
ESPWWA, Egypt
EUFAR, Egypt unites for Animal Rights
SPCA, The Society for preventing Cruelty to animals, Port Said
Animal Aid Egypt
Animal Protection Foundation
The Egyptian Society for Rescuing Animals, Cart

UAE

Middle East Animal Foundation

Palestine

PWLS, Palestine Wildlife Society

Turkey

Animal Right Federation in Turkey

Iraq – Kurdistan

Kurdistan Organization of Animal Right Protection

Bahrain

BSPCA

Media (Egypt)

El Masry El Youm Newspaper
Dream channel
Egyptian satellite channel

About 70 participants representing 7 countries, gathered in Cairo for the 5 th

International MENAW Conference on “Back on Track” from March 7-9, 2017.

Those attending the Opening Ceremony included HE Prof Dr. Mona Mehrez ,

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Charge of Animal Wealth and Poultry and

Prof.Dr. Gaber Nasser, President of Cairo University was the guest of the

second day.

There were “lively” discussions and debates, as one would expect (and hope

for) at such a conference. The presentations covered companion animals,

wildlife , and farming/livestock issues. Presenters included international and

national NGOs and societies, as well as government officials, judges.

Posters in Arabic, and English on a range of animal welfare topics.

These posters were posted around the conference hall for all to see and

generate ideas. T

And, of course, there was much networking and exchange of ideas and

lessons learned. We also had great lunch menus of vegetarian food. As usual,

there were some rough edges, glitches, schedule changes and sessions that

ran over, but in general the conference went well with the understanding and

flexibility of the participants.

The conference adopted a number of recommendations (see separate

resolutions section). And what role MENAW should play was discussed as well

as how MENAW should be structured.

Thanks to all the participants and sponsors who made this conference

possible.

On behalf of the organizing committee

Ahmed El Sherbiny

animals

EGYPT: ESAF brings TNR education to Ismailia City

May 22, 2015by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

Ismailia City lies in north-eastern Egypt, on the west bank of the Suez Canal. It was founded as the canal was being constructed.

On May 4, 2015, ESAF (Egyptian Society of Animal Friends) and Suez Canal University, the Faculty of the Veterinary Medical College, jointly sponsored an awareness program there to highlight animal welfare issues. Kindness to animals was shown to be a part of Islamic teachings. Fliers were handed out and TNR (trap/neuter/return) presentations called for the end of the mass killing of stray animals.

ESAF vets, Dr. Marwa Rabah and Dr. Ahmed Mansour, assisted by vet techs, Moh Ibrahim and Shaaban, performed a demonstration spay/neuter surgery on two cats, with the help of the Veterinary Medical Department of Suez Canal College.

Mrs. Dina Zulfikar, a dynamic spokesperson on behalf of animals, joined ESAF for this event. Support for the program was provided by WA, Werled Asielin Animal Welfare Society.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, expressed his gratitude to Professor Mamdouh Ghourab, the Head of Suez Canal University, to Dr. Ibrahim Fares, the Dean of the Suez Canal Veterinary Medical College and to Professor Atef Kamel, the Head of the Wildlife and Zoos Department, for their support of this program.

Soon ESAF and the Suez Canal University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will initiate a project to present the many alternatives that are now available to using animals for experiments in education and training.

Every Saturday ESAF conducts a free TNR program at their shelter in Cairo for neighborhood stray animals, sponsored by WA and other ESAF supporters.

To visit ESAF on Facebook, click here.

Photo: © Basphoto | Dreamstime.com – Cat At Ancient Egyptian Temple Photo

animals

Egypt: TNR for dogs and cats in Sharm El Sheikh

December 9, 2014by sharonstjoan1 Comment

By Ahmed El Sherbiny,

Chairperson of ESAF

Cairo, Egypt

ESAF (the Egyptian Society for Animal Friends), working together with Vier Pfoten, the international animal organization based in Austria, Hauza Beach Resort, Sharm Safari Park, and Sharm Action for Animals are conducting a TNR program in Sharm El Sheikh that will run from November 29 through December 13, 2014.

The South Sinai Governor and the Sharm El Sheikh City Council are supporting this project.

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Vier Pfoten, Hauza Beach Resort, and Sharm Safari Park for their financial contribution, and to the SAFA group, particularly Diane Clement, Sally, and Roswitha for their efforts.

ESAF hopes to initiate more TNR projects in other governates in Egypt.

Photos: Courtesy of ESAF

To visit ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

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Egypt: Top Islamic authorities urge mercy towards animals

October 13, 2014by sharonstjoan2 Comments

The letter below, by Ahmed El Sherbiny, gives a description of the workshop held recently in Cairo, “Ending the Animal’s Life in a Merciful Way.”

This is a controversial topic, and there can be a tendency among animal people simply to dismiss the issue by saying that the only real answer is not to slaughter animals in the first place. While this answer is certainly logical, and in a way true, it really does nothing to help the animals that are being slaughtered in countries where eating meat is not going to stop anytime in the near future.

Mona Khalil, Chairperson of ESMA (Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals)

For the cow, the sheep, the camel, or for any animal in a slaughterhouse, there is a very vast difference between a merciful death and an extremely painful one. The practical reality is that there are degrees of suffering – and less suffering, while it is in no way a satisfactory long-term solution – is, for the animal, vastly preferably to severe suffering.

Dina Zulficar, leading Egyptian animal advocate

So we need to be practical and advocate doing what is best for the animals themselves. Contrary to what is sometimes said, pursuing the goal of lessening suffering in slaughterhouses ought not to lead to complacency, instead it can raise awareness of the sad plight of animals used for food — and ultimately encourage a global movement away from the culture of eating meat. Both these goals need to happen simultaneously. They are complementary and not in conflict with each other.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, EFAW, and MENAW, has once again, in a continuation of work initiated over the past several years, brought together Egyptian animal advocates and an outstanding array of Egyptian government officials, Moslem spiritual authorities, leaders in the international animal welfare movement, veterinarians, university professors, and others, to focus their attention on bringing significant change to the way animals are slaughtered.

croppedPic 7Dr Leopoldo, The OIE representatve presenting a presentation on Halal pre Slaughter. — Dr. Leopoldo, OIE representative, giving a presentation on Halal pre-slaughter

The Al Azhar center of learning in Cairo is the most universally respected and authoritative voice for the world’s Sunni Moslems. Al Azhar representatives attended the workshop, participated, and have endorsed the outcome. This represents a tremendous milestone, re-affirming the age-old Islamic tradition of mercy and compassion to all, both animals and people.

Letter from Ahmed El Sherbiny, organizer of the workshop, “Ending the Animal’s Life in a Merciful Way.”:

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On Wednesday 24^th of September, EFAW, The Egyptian Federation for Animal Welfare in association with ESAF, The Egyptian Society of Animal Friends held a workshop relating to “Ending The Animal’s Life in A Merciful Way.” The workshop was sponsored by the Al Azhar Institution, who assigned; Dr Nasser Farid Wasel, The Former Grand Mofty, and Dr. Abdullah El Nagar, the Dean of High Islamic studies, Member of Islamic Research League, Member of the International Fiqh Academy- Jeddah and Sheikh Fawzy El Zefzaf, the former Deputy of the Al Azhar Grand Sheikh.

Unfortunately, HRH Princess Alia Al Hussein did not attend due to security reasons, however she sent her best wishes for the workshop’s success.

Also Dr. Naser Farid, The Former Grand Mofty, was not able to participate due to medical reasons, Dr A. Nagar presented his message to the workshop.

The workshop was also attended by representatives of GOVS, The Egyptian Federation for Animal Welfare, Representatives from OIE, The International Health Organization, FAO, The Food and Agriculture Organization, CIWF, Compassion in World Farming, MLA, liveCorp, NRC, National Research Centre and Individuals from Animal Welfare Activists, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University and Veterinary Colleges, Cairo University.

A Lively debate took place and many issues were discussed relating to the Halal slaughter and stunning methods.

The Al Azhar representatives approved and endorsed the outcome of the workshop, this means the outcome carries religious weight to all Muslims all over the world.

We wish to apply these recommendations in the Islamic World slaughterhouses before the Sacrificing Muslim Feast to end the pre- slaughter cruelty to sacrificial animals.

Many thanks to MLA and LiveCorp for sponsoring this workshop.

Ahmed El Sherbiny

Attorney at Law

ESAF chairperson

EFAW chairperson

Menaw chairperson

+2 012 22111162

Cairo, Egypt

Top photo: © Charles Mccarthy / Dreamstime.com

Other photos: Courtesy of ESAF

We hope to have available the workshop’s recommendations and conclusions soon, and will post them when we do.

To visit ESAF’s Facebook page, click here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7321605630/

animals

Egypt: Carrots and extra care for camels and horses

September 15, 2014by sharonstjoan1 Comment

On Sunday, August 3, ESAF, the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends resumed their feeding program for the Pyramids animals, which they’ve been conducting for several years now.

The animals fed and given vet care during the month of August numbered around 1,600 horses. They went five times a week in August.

Since the program for this year started in February, they’ve fed and cared for 1,943 animals in February; 3,157 in March, 3,211 in April, in May and June, a total of 4,800 animals, in July 110 animals. The total so far in 2014 is 13,381 animals. These are horses, donkeys and camels, normally used to give rides to tourists visiting the Pyramids.

Because of civil unrest in Egypt over the past few years, there’s been a sharp decline in tourism, and, due to lack of revenue, the animals owners haven’t been able to adequately care for them, so ESAF has stepped in to help.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, writes that the animals seem tired during August, having had to work longer hours during Ramadan. Despite this, they have generally observed an improvement in the animals’ condition over the course of the year.

They also handed out nose bands, fly masks, and educational brochures, as well as treating the animals’ hooves and teeth.

On May first, they added carrots to their diet, which provides more nutrition and is also a much-appreciated treat.

Tourism is still down, but there are signs of a possible turn for the better.

Soon, they’ll be altering the schedule to do twice weekly feeding for the Pyramids animals, and will be operating clinics two to three times a week to care for animals in the neighborhood near the ESAF shelter, where they have been much missed over the past couple of years during the time that ESAF has focused on the Pyramids area.

ESAF expresses their heartfelt thanks to SPANA, Animal Aid Abroad, Sue Evans and her UK group, and Mr. Richard Gabriel for their generous support of this project.

To visit ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

Photo: Courtesy of ESAF

animals

Egypt: Feeding the Pyramids animals

May 18, 2014by sharonstjoanLeave a Comment

ESAF (the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends) continues their program of feeding and treating the Pyramids animals. These are horses, camels, and donkeys who would normally be giving rides to tourists – perhaps not a great life for the animals at the best of times. But during the times of unrest in Egypt, since 2011, when there have been almost no tourists, life has been tough for the owners, who often have no income and no way to care for their animals.

ESAF and other Egyptian animal groups have been stepping in to provide food and veterinary assistance to the animals.

The camels, donkeys, and horses all need help. The camels tend to fare a bit better in difficult times since they are hardy desert animals, as are the donkeys; so it is especially the horses who need extra feeding and care.

ESAF has expanded their work to more areas to reach more animals. The total number of animals fed and treated from February 1 through April 30 was 8,311.

The working animals need on-going vet care – attention to their hooves and teeth, and care for wounds caused by saddles and by wire nose bands. The ESAF vets care for the horses and donkeys, fitting them with fly masks to keep the flies away and with soft nose bands to replace the wire ones.

Beginning May 1, they added carrots and clover to give the animals more nutrition – which is a tasty treat too, welcomed by the animals.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, EFAW, and MENAW writes, “The tourism business is still almost nonexistent, but we hope it will be improved after the presidential election, May 26-27, and the parliament election too by the end of August… Many thanks to SPANA, Animal Aid Abroad, Sue Evans and her UK group, and Mr. Richard Gabriel for their generous contributions to support this important project.”

Thanks to ESAF for faithfully feeding and giving vet care to the Pyramids animals.

Photos: Courtesy of ESAF

To visit ESAF’s facebook page, click here.

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Egypt: Care for animals at the Pyramids

January 13, 2014by sharonstjoan4 Comments

ESAF (Egyptian Society of Animal Friends) held a Pyramids Clinic on Wednesday, January 8 and Saturday January 11, 2014, to provide food and vet care to the Pyramids animals. The horses, donkeys, and camels are used to give rides to tourists, but during times when tourists are few, their owners suffer economic hardship, and the animals need extra help.

ESAF provided fresh greens to the animals, as well as soft nosebands (to replace wire ones), and gave out educational brochures to the owners to improve the care of the animals. The vets treated any injuries and cared for the horses’ hooves and teeth. Around 90 animals were fed and cared for.

Ahmed El Sherbiny thanks Sue Evans for her sponsorship of the Pyramids Clinics.

To visit ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

Photos: Courtesy of ESAF

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Egypt: ESAF’s Pyramids Project has helped 6,000 animals

December 5, 2013December 5, 2013by sharonstjoan1 Comment

The program for horses and camels who work at the Pyramids, giving rides to tourists, has provided feeding and vet care to over 6,000 animals since this past July.

This is one of a series of such programs carried out by ESAF and other Egyptian animal groups, over a number of years, for the working animals at the Pyramids. This most recent special project has come to a successful close. Their ongoing, regular work with the Pyramids animals will continue.

The periodic unrest in Egypt has caused great hardship for the animals because, when there are few tourists, there is no income for the animal owners, who then have difficulty providing food and vet care to their animals. ESAF’s programs are a great help to them, and they will be continuing twice-weekly clinics in the Pyramids area, as well as their usual work in the area around ESAF’s shelter.

Ahmed El Sherbiny, ESAF Chairperson, writes that there was a slight increase in the number of tourists during the month of November, and a consequent decrease in the numbers of animals needing special feeding. He wrote, “We have also noticed a slight improvement in the animals overall condition.”

Any improvement at all is really wonderful news, and, for the sake of the animals, it is to be hoped that there will be peace and stability in Egypt, so that more tourists will return. While working animals do not ever lead ideal lives, good food and vet care can make a huge difference to their well-being. ESAF also conducts ongoing educational programs with the owners to encourage kind treatment of the animals, with good, practical solutions, like replacing wire bridles with soft nose pads.

Ahmed El Sherbiny expressed his heartfelt thanks to the people and organizations that made possible this latest Pyramids Project: Animal Aid Abroad, Wereld Asielen, Sue Evans and her UK group, Richard Gabriel, and Humane Society International (HSI).

The total number of animals treated and fed during the month of November was 1,002 horses and 379 camels.

During the course of the project, which ran from July 10 through the end of November, the total number of animals fed and treated was 5,471 horses and 663 camels.

Thanks to ESAF and their generous sponsors for doing so much to make the lives of the Pyramids animals easier and more comfortable.

To go to ESAF’s Facebook page, click here.

Photos: Courtesy of ESAF

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Egypt: Update – the animals at the Giza Zoo and the Pyramids

August 15, 2013August 15, 2013by sharonstjoan1 Comment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The Egyptian Society of Animal Friends (ESAF) has been providing ongoing vet care and feeding to the Pyramids horses – an earlier photo.

The animals at the Giza Zoo

Yesterday, August 14, violent action took place to clear protests in the streets of Cairo. The Giza Zoo is located right in the area where the crackdown occurred. The very sad toll of human deaths and injuries on both sides was huge. It appears that, at least for the moment, all the zoo animals are alive and uninjured.

Vier Photen, the international organization based in Austria that does so much to help animals in disasters, in many countries, has responded generously to a request from The Egyptian Society of Animal Friends (ESAF) to provide help to the Giza Zoo, which is having great trouble feeding and caring for the zoo animals. Because of the unrest, there are no visitors to the zoo and therefore no income with which to feed the animals.

Dina Zulficar, a dynamic animal advocate in Cairo who has aided the Giza Zoo animals for many years (with education, activism, organizing support for them, and enriching their habitats), has provided ongoing reports on the plight of the zoo animals. The Zoo is located right in the area where the protests have been taking place, and there has been a great fear that the animals would be injured or killed by the tear gas and the fighting. During the violent crackdown by the army on the protestors, it looked for a time as if the worst fears were materializing.

Heroes at the Giza Zoo

Animals in a zoo have no way to escape tear gas or gunfire. They are trapped. The lungs of birds are especially susceptible to impurities of any kind in the air, and of course, this includes tear gas and smoke.

Thanks in large measure to the bravery and dedication of Dr. Fatma Tammam, Central Zoo Director, and her staff, who went early in the morning to feed all the zoo animals and birds and who have been overseeing the welfare of the animals, at the moment, the animals appear to be safe.

During the crackdown on Wednesday, there was a fire in a palm tree and another tree, but it was contained. Police and 15 protestors battled outside the walls of the zoo. At the time of Dr. Tamman’s most recent report, relayed by Dina Zulficar, all the Giza Zoo animals were alive and none were injured, which is remarkable. Dr. Tamman extended her thanks to all those who expressed their concern for the zoo animals. The road to the zoo has now been re-opened.

ESAF feeds the pyramids animals

Since the very beginning of the unrest in Egypt two years ago ESAF, the Egyptian Society for Animal Friends, has been providing regular assistance to the horses, donkeys, and camels at the Pyramids. These animals in normal times are used to carry tourists, and even in the best of times, their lives are not easy. During times of civil unrest, their owners have no income because there are no tourists, and they have no means to feed the animals or provide vet care for them.

ESAF, working with other organizations, both international and Egyptian, has faithfully provided help to these animals – feed and regular vet care.

On August 9, before yesterday’s crackdown, Ahmed El Sherbiny, Chairperson of ESAF, reported on their recent work with the animals. The ESAF team spent four days at Nazlet El Samman, giving vet care and feeding to 526 animals.

Then on Wednesday, August 7, at Kafr El Gabal, the neighborhood near the Pyramids where the camel owners live and where they camels are kept, they spent one day feeding and treating 94 horses and camels.

The camel feeding and vet care was sponsored by Janet Thomas of Animal Aid Abroad (AAA).

During this past month, ESAF has given food and vet care to 1,857 horses and donkeys, as well as 94 camels.

Ahmed El Sherbiny expressed his heartfelt thanks to SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), AAA, HSI (Humane Society International), Wereld Asielen, and Sue Evans and her UK group.

There are a number of excellent animal welfare groups in Egypt, all of whom are doing their best to help animals at this very difficult time.

Thanks to these kind and heroic efforts, Egyptian animals are being saved and helped. However, the circumstances are immensely trying and the future is uncertain. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and animals of Egypt.

Photo: Courtesy of ESAF, this was taken during an earlier program for the Pyramids animals in 2012.

These are the Facebook pages for Dina Zulficar, ESAF, and Vier Photen:

Dina Zulficar: https://www.facebook.com/dina.zulfikar.5

ESAF: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7321605630/

Vier Pfoten: https://www.facebook.com/vier.pfoten.9?fref=ts

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EGYPT: Students spend Sunday with Pyramids horses

April 2, 2013by sharonstjoan1 Comment

Students from the Cairo American College arrived on Sunday March 24 at ESAF’s Shabramont Shelter (Egyptian Society of Animal Friends) to volunteer as part of the college’s “week without walls” program.

Several students joined the weekly mobile clinic for the horses in the Pyramids area, handing out food and providing care to 75 horses — treating wounds, deworming, and assisting with dental care.

Some of the students stayed behind at the shelter to watch the presentation “Alternatives to Animals in Experiments and Education”, part of ESAF’s program to promote alternatives to animal testing.

Returning from the Pyramids clinic, the students devoted the rest of the day to doing some painting and maintenance work, along with grooming and playing with the animals.

That evening, the ESAF vet and the GIZA Veterinary Department continued their work inspecting GIZA pet shops. During recent inspections, they found exotic animals being kept illegally. Following their report to the Director of the GIZA Veterinary Department, action was taken regarding the exotic animals.

To visit ESAF’S Facebook page, Click here.  