Causeway Coast Dog Rescue charity to host Stormont conference on companion animal welfare
A Causeway Coast animal charity is to host Northern Ireland’s only Companion Animal Welfare Conference on October 2.
Causeway Coast Dog Rescue (CCDR) has invited key stakeholders and decision makers in animal welfare to the conference which will also feature contributions from experts from bodies such as Battersea Dog and Cats Home and the Dogs Trust.
Representatives from charities, eleven councils, Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and central government departments, the PSNI, MLAs and councillors have been invited to the event which takes place in Stormont.
“Recognising that 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, animal welfare crosses so many boundaries into other Departments’ responsibilities, not only DAERAs,” said Tara Cunningham, conference organiser from CCDR.
“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 heinous crimes towards dogs and cats which come into our care should never be witnessed by charities.
“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."
Key speakers, some of whom advise at Westminster, include Peter Laurie, CEO Battersea Dog and Cats Home, Adam Clowes, Ops Manager Dogs Trust UK with Manager Conor O’Kane; Rebecca Cooper, Director of Association of Dog and Cats Homes, (ADCH); Dr Tara Quinn CPsych 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 the island of Ireland who will be focusing on legislation and policy.
For more information contact Tara Cunningham, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue 07946152286 [email protected] www.causewaycoastdogrescue.org