Javea Grapevine Issue 178 - LARGE FONT EDITION | Page 53

FIRST NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE IN MURCIA The PAES National Animal Welfare Conference is being held at the Costa Narejos Hotel, Los Alcázares, Murcia 16-18 October 2015 and is believed to be the first of its kind in Spain. Three animal welfare organisations from Murcia and Almeria: ACTIN, San Animal and Cruz Azul, are collaborating on the PAES (Protección Animales España) Project which is creating great initiatives and programmes, including the National Animal Welfare Conference. The conference is aimed at those who would like to learn more about running their own Trap, Neuter and Return campaigns; volunteers involved in shelters, sanctuaries, rescue groups and foster pet parents, as well as anyone who loves animals and wants to get involved. Delegates will be able to learn about the lifesaving changes taking place across the country and the organisers are confident that they will take those ideas back to pets in shelters, and with rescue groups, in their home towns. “Our mission is to bring together as many people as we can who are involved in animal welfare in Spain, to encourage co-operation and exchange of ideas” said Lyn Baines, Conference Manager. “We will be launching the PAES Project at the conference and we have some exceptional speakers on various topics.” The best-of-the-best experts converge at the PAES National Animal Welfare Conference to share their ideas and expertise: leaders of the no-kill movement, experts in animal care and behaviour, marketing and fundraising experts, professionals from private and public animal welfare organisations, and more. Topics will include: Animal Welfare Law, European Microchip Database, Compassion Fatigue & Compassion for Rescuers, Knowing Your Boundaries & Keeping Safe Education in Schools and/ or Canine Assisted Therapy, Animal Behaviour, Galgos & Podencos in Spain, Animal Fellows & Zooplus, World Veterinary Service & Trap, Neuter, Return, TNR of Cats – The Spanish Experience Creating & Managing Cat Colonies, Communicating Your Cause/Marketing & PR Tips. “We have speakers from all over Europe who will share their expertise and experiences with our delegates” commented Lyn. “We know how hard it is running an animal welfare charity, so we have kept the registration donations as low as possible, so that we can engage as many people as possible.” You can find out more about the conference itinerary and how to register by visiting their website: www.proteccionanimales.es or by emailing [email protected] PAES (Protección Animales España) is a project that has been developed by the ACTIN Association (Charity Number G30866925) with the aim of bringing together associations, protectoras, animalistas, government, authorities and professionals or companies interested in animal welfare so that, by working together, we can make a real difference in improving the welfare and treatment of animals in Spain. Our aim is to provide a Legal Group, Veterinarian Group and, eventually, our own Rescue Centre, to co-ordinate fostering with the various local rescue charities. This will enable us to monitor dogs and pass them as fit, before they are released to foster homes and, eventually, their forever homes.