The Plenary Hall of Calpe Town Hall yesterday hosted the first meeting of the Animal Welfare Working Committee, made up of members of the government, Pere Moll, Itziar Doval and Mireia Ripoll, municipal technicians, local police officers, animal associations and local veterinarians in order to establish a municipal basis to work for the benefit of respect, care and protection of animals.
This working group was set up after the City Council joined the Network of Cities for the Welfare of Pets last year, as agreed in the municipal plenary session. The first meeting dealt with the drafting of a protocol for injured, sick, abandoned and deceased animals.
It was also agreed to start drawing up a draft ordinance to regulate the keeping, taxation and coexistence of pets and potentially dangerous animals in public spaces, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, as well as to process complaints about animal mistreatment.
The adhesion of the City Council to the Network of Cities for the Welfare of Pets implies taking on a series of commitments and the first steps are already being taken in this direction.
On the other hand, the Animal Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Tourism and Commerce Departments, has launched a campaign aimed at those establishments and businesses where pets are welcome.
An identification badge has been created for those shops that allow pets to enter and stay. The identification stickers are being distributed to businesses that request them, identifying them as ‘Pet Friendly’ and making it easier for customers to know where their pets are welcome.
Interested Calpe businesses can go to the citizen participation offices to pick up the ‘Calpe Pet Friendly’ stickers. In addition, the name of the participating establishments will be included in a list that will be made public.