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| International attendees pose in front of the HSI booth.© HSI |
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By Carly Ikuma
Animal lovers from around the globe traveled to the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas, to attend The Humane Society of the United States' annual Animal Care Expo. It is an opportunity to meet others in the field of animal welfare, share stories, and learn about the latest issues.
The international workshops, sponsored by Humane Society International, were incorporated into the main program of Expo this year for the first time as a separate track, introducing more people to the issues animal welfare groups face in developing countries.
From Nigeria to Australia to Nicaragua, 123 attendees from 34 countries participated in the international workshops. HSI provided scholarships to 40 international attendees and of these, 11 were participants in the HSI Internship Program. Eight organizations from around the US hosted these interns for a week prior to Expo so that they could learn valuable skills useful to animal welfare work in their home countries. The numbers of international attendees and countries represented were record-breaking for the international program of Animal Care Expo.
"At the Denver Dumb Friend's League, where I did my internship, the staff did all of their work with such dedication," said Dr. Sergio Muñoz Rodriguez, veterinarian with the Chilean organizations RIMA and ACUAA. "The exchange of information was very successful and it gives me a lot to share with my colleagues in Chile. Vets are an important part of the solution."
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Dave Pauli shares his knowledge with workshop participants.© HSI |
The Issues at Hand
Presentation topics included how to establish humane education programs, how to work with local governments and media, how to set up field spay/neuter clinics, dealing with international disasters, and how to run a wildlife rescue. There was also a day-long certification course on the humane capture and handling of street animals and wildlife, taught by Dave Pauli, Director of The HSUS' Western Regional Office.
"The workshops were very relevant," noted Tom Sandi of Campaign against Cruelty to Animals in Bo, Sierra Leone. "The materials were simple and the presenters easy to understand."
Working with local governments and attracting media attention are two topics of particular interest to grassroots groups. Animal welfare organizations frequently feel ignored or at odds with government officials, and media doesn't always seem focused on animal welfare. But after attending the workshops, organizations expressed hope of working more collaboratively with government and press back home.
"Expo is just an amazing opportunity for us." remarked Matzal Vucic of Agrupación Protectora de Animales Albergando un Amigo in Puerto Montt, Chile. "This information will help us to grow and hopefully achieve much better results."
Awarding Animal Protectionists
Annual awards were presented during the international dinner reception to two new HSI Animal Advocate partner organizations and two individuals for their lifetime work in animal welfare.
Dorothea Friz of Lega Pro Animale in Italy, and Lilian Schnog of AHPPA in Costa Rica, were given the HSI Award for Extraordinary Commitment and Achievement.
Animal Welfare Coalition in the Philippines and Fundación ASOGUAU Protección Animal in Venezuela were awarded Animal Advocates status.
