War in Ukraine: Eurogroup for Animals and its members set up a taskforce to help companion animals
The taskforce is composed of the members of the Eurogroup for Animals Working Groups on Cats and Dogs and Equines, the Animal Shelter Veterinary Platform, and invited experts. Its main objective is to work on responsible short and long-term aid for companion animals, abandoned animals and animal shelters affected by the war. The focus will be on:
- Identifying and connecting needs and resources
- Liaising with stakeholders involved
- Providing animals related information to refugees, citizens, policy makers and NGOs
- Offering constructive partnerships for humanitarian and animal aid
- Sharing best practices for owned and unowned companion animals and shelters impacted by the war
- Driving a legislative and policy change at the EU and national levels
The war in Ukraine is affecting people and animals. It was heart lifting to see that the Commission and Member States temporarily suspended restrictions on the movements of animals and allowed refugees to bring their companions with them into the EU. With this taskforce we hope to help all the incredible organisations and private citizens that are working on the ground, risking their lives, to help in this dreadful situation.Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals
Notes
All EU Member States have a possibility to apply exemptions on the non-commercial movement of pets due to an exceptional situation (Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013).
At the time of writing members of the task force are Eurogroup for Animals, Four Paws, Dierenbescherming, RSPCA, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, World Horse Welfare, and Jan Vozarik, APA to Martin Hojsik MEP.
More information on animal protection organisation working in Ukraine
The task force can be contacted at this address uataskforce@eurogroupforanimals.org
