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Costa
Animal Society News August 2010 |
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Costa
Animal Society News August 2010 |
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Stricter vaccination laws
To visit
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All
dogs, cats, ferrets, miniature or Vietnamese pigs, plus certain bird
species, must now have a pet passport. The Costa Animal Society
reminds pet owners that new regional legislation places stricter
obligations on them when it comes to protection against infectious
diseases which can be contracted by humans.
The regulations, which came into force on April 30, are a revision of Andalucía’s animal protection laws of 2003. Owners who fail to observe them face a fine of up to €30,000. Puppies already had to receive a vaccination against rabies at three months, but now they must be given another dose 30 days later. Thereafter, an annual booster is obligatory. The measure also applies to kittens and ferrets. Treatment against the parasitic disease echinococcosis, which is caused by the larvae of various species of tapeworm, was previously voluntary but is now compulsory. Dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated against it by a vet at least once a year.
Treatments and check-ups for canine leishmaniasis, another parasitic disease, must now be recorded on the dog’s pet passport. It is now obligatory to treat any dog which has contracted canine leishmaniasis, a diagnosis which must be confirmed with a laboratory test, and any animal not treated must be put down.
In addition, birds which make up the order Psittaciformes – that’s parrots, cockatoos and the like – must now be treated for the lethal bacterial infection chlamydophila psittaci 45 days before they are sold, while these birds and all dogs, cats, miniature and Vietnamese pigs must now have a pet passport in which the obligatory treatments are recorded by a vet.
There are also revisions to the legislation on the change of ownership of an animal and on the rules regarding how animals must be put down or destroyed.
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Bingo! |
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Look
for |
Just because a lost dog doesn’t have a microchip, it doesn’t mean it has not been registered as a pet. If the animal originated in France or Italy, it may very well have a distinguishing tattoo instead.
The practice came to light recently when a dog was brought to CAS for rehoming. No microchip was detected and with no other means of identification, it was assumed to be a stray and was prepared for a flight to the Netherlands to join a new family.
However, shortly before departure, the dog’s French owner came forward to claim it, pointing out the tattoo which had been overlooked. Typically, this is inside the ear or on the forearm. So, this story had a happy ending when dog and owner were reunited.
Meanwhile, as well as the microchip which is obligatory in Spain, CAS advises all dog owners to fix a metal tag to the collar with the dog’s name on one side and a contact telephone number on the other. It’s a quick and easy way for a finder to find you!
And if a found dog appears to have no identification, try looking on the inside of the collar where many Spanish owners write their phone number.
Finally, bear in mind that a microchip inserted in one region of Spain may not be cross-referenced with other regions. An animal protection society in Cataluña recently reported that a stray dog found in a Barcelona suburb had been reported missing in Málaga. Dexter disappeared last November but how he travelled 1,000 kilometres and arrived in good condition is unknown.
His Andalucían microchip was unreadable by his Catalan carers who took some time to find out where he had come from.
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Pepe's |
Pepe is a very sweet, six-year-old male, brindle-corgi cross who has only ever wanted to live in a nice home with a loving owner. Unfortunately, each time Pepe’s dream came true it was dashed, leaving him looking for a home once again.
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Don't
leave dogs in |
CAS is reminding dog owners never, ever to leave their pets locked in the car. Police officers can and will break in to rescue the animals and will prosecute the owner.
In June, local police in Torre del Mar broke into a car parked in the town’s Plaza de la Paz to rescue six dogs suffering from dehydration. Passers-by raised the alert after the car had been standing in the sunshine for five hours. When the owner finally appeared two hours later, he was told the dogs, which were unregistered, had been taken to a welfare centre.
And on a very hot day in the UK last summer, a Nottingham police dog handler left two German shepherds in his parked car where the temperature quickly rose to almost 50 degrees. Both dogs died within 20 minutes and the officer was prosecuted.
You have been warned!
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Can you help CAS?
To
visit |
We know times are tough but, sadly, that does not prevent the continuous flow of abandoned dogs and cats requiring help from the Costa Animal Society. This, in turn, costs money which is as tight for CAS as it is for everyone. However, if you could donate a little to help the animals, CAS would be most grateful.
Bank: Cajamar. Or visit the CAS Charity Shop at Calle Dr Ferran 12, Nerja, open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
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