O Safe Animal Project, from the Monchique City Council, won, this Thursday, 11 October, the Innovation Award of the 2018 edition of the Current Veterinary Awards.
These awards, promoted by the magazine Veterinária Atual and by IFE by Abilways, aim to “recognise excellence and merit in veterinary medicine in Portugal.
The Animal Insurance Project was developed by Ana Silva, a municipal veterinarian from Monchique, and establishes preventive measures, rules of action and first aid measures for pets in case of fire.
Ana Silva, when the project was launched, explained to Sul Informação that the goal of the initiative is that "families have a protection and evacuation plan in which the four-legged [or two-winged] elements are also included."
This Algarve program, a pioneer in the country, is based on "the program developed in the United States after Hurricane Katrina."
"According to 2010 data, around 80 to 90% of animals not evacuated by their guardians in the event of a disaster end up dying," added Ana Silva.
The project does not only cover companion animals, extending to guard and even production animals, such as chickens, pigs, horses, goats, sheep and rabbits.
The protection measures are different depending on the characteristics and the number of animals to be protected, whether they are companion animals or farm animals.
Some of the rules are basic: the municipal veterinarian explains that, because «animals are very disoriented by fire», their owners who live in risk areas must always have a leash or a transport box at hand. And those who have dangerous animals at home – such as snakes, spiders – should also remember them when leaving.
A sticker must also be placed on the windows of the houses indicating which animals are in the house and whether they are aggressive. This information is to let rescue teams know exactly what they will find. In addition, after the owners leave their home, taking the animals, they must write on the sticker, in large letters, the word “Evacuated”.
All the rules and procedures to be followed to protect animals are contained in a 24-page manual, which has been distributed by the Municipality and can be downloaded here, in PDF.
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