Speakers at a workshop in the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore stressed the need for creating public awareness about care for animals and prevention of cruelty meted out to them. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arranged the workshop titled Amendments in Draft Laws of SPCA at the UVAS on Wednesday.
The Secretary, Livestock and Dairy Development, Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan was the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the workshop. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz, civil society activist, Shaheen Atiqur Rehman, Faryal Gohar, SPCA Honorary Secretary, Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, UVAS faculty members, Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab officials and WWF Pakistan and civil society representatives were also present at the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Livestock said that animals are part of this world and we have to work for their welfare.
He said that cruelty to animals cannot be prevented only through policing, but we have to create awareness among every segment of society about animal welfare. The efforts of the SPCA are commendable, but we have to do more by involving volunteers in this cause, he said adding that we also need legal backing and the support of the media and civil society in these efforts.
Further, he lauded the role of the UVAS in animal welfare and asked the SPCA to prepare a work plan for the year and follow it to prevent cruelty to animals. The VC said that prevention of physical cruelty to animals is not enough, but we have to look into other forms of cruelties also.
Cruelty to animals is forbidden in our religion and we have to sensitise the society about the cruel treatment meted out of animals and work collectively for their welfare. Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry spoke about the working of the SPCA and its laws that need amendments to cover all aspects of cruelty to all species of animals.
He said that the societys name should be changed to Society for Welfare of Animals from its existing name Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He said that the SPCA centres are working in 17 districts of Punjab and their scope is limited to prevention of cruelty to animals, specially the donkeys and horses. He also spoke about the limitations of the SPCA lack of funding and resources.