Report of the Shelter and Establishment Animal Friend Fond and animal shelter for the year 2008

Veterinarian Medical Aid to Animals

There was spent 14 717 lats for food and medicine, shelter expenses were 13532 lats, veterinarian assistance costs were 6 369 lats (including 93 cats sterilizations, 33 cats castrations, 33 dogs sterilizations and 32 dogs castrations for the total amount of 2766 lats, other surgeries for 520 lats, laboratory tests for 1513 lats, X-ray and other diagnostical investigations for 1 073 lats, as well as other services).

Fond
Thanks to the donations, got through the charity portal „Ziedot.lv”, the Fonds was able to offer veterinarian medical assistance for the total amount of 3498.77 Lats, including the complicated surgery and rehabilitation of the shelter dog Lucky Joe after severe injuries – fracture of three legs – for the amount of 440 lats, laboratory testings for 259 lats, X-ray testing for 82 lats, as well as other surgeries for 275 lats. Thanks to the donators support, Fonds was also able to organizē the activity „Sterilize Your Pet!”, during which 21 cat was sterilized, 7 cats castrated, 13 dogs were sterilized and 6 dogs castrated. Fonds have spent 6274,45 lats for animal food and medicine.

Donations
Fonds has received donations from physical and juridical persons for the amount 7237,50 lats, including targeted donations for the activity for protection of fur animals from physical persons 2083,20 lats, 929 lats from the organization Compassion in World Farming for the campaign „Good Eggs Award”, 351,40 lats from the organization Animalia for the booklet printing.
6885 lats have been received by Fonds in the frames of the Project from the charity fonds „Ziedot”, and 3514 as a targeted donation from the company „Marss Latvia”, which producēs animal food.

Campaigns
1. “Good Eggs Award” campaign

In january 2008 establishment „Animal Friend Fond” in cooperation with the organisation „Compassion in World Farming” started a campaign „Become an Obtainer of the Good Eggs Award” with a goal to attract an attention of food supermārkets and public food companies to eggs, which they sell or use for meals preparation. Fonds mailed letters to several food shops and restaurants in Latvia („RIMI”, „Stockmann”, „Mego”. „mc2”, „Maxima”, „Elvi”, „Supernetto”, „Nelda”, „Latvijas ekoprodukti”, „Sky”, „Debesmanna”, „Lido”, „Vincents” etc.), offering them to participate in the award obtaining. The „Good Eggs Award” get leading and recognized food companies in EU, which have started or plan to start selling or using eggs from free-range hens. If a company plan to get eggs only from free-range hens (kept without cages) till 2012, such a company can become an obtainer of this award.
On april 16 in Brussels there took place a ceremony of the Good Eggs Award, where alongside with such wellknown companies, like McDonalds, Unilever (Helmann’s, Calve, Amora products), Sainsbury’s, also participated representatives from Latvia – restaurant Vincents, SIA Ekovirtuve and Ekoprodukti and Animal Friend Fonds. Thanks to these food companies, which applied for the award, more that 15 million of hens will be released from cages. Among the obtainers of awards and gratitudes there were McDonalds Europe (in 27 EU memberstates), Unilever (Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, UK, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Germany), European Parliament, IKEA canteen in Belgium, Deli and restaurant Vincents from Latvia etc.
Animal Friend Fond is really satisfied with the fact, that this year Latvia has joined one of the biggest activity on protection of agricultural animals - „Good Eggs Award” nomination – and hope, that each year there will be more and more companies, who choose not to use eggs from hens, kept in battery cages, for their products preparation. Animal Friend Fond reminds, that each and every one of us, while making purchases in shops, can stop sufferings of hens, kept in battery-cages. Eggs, which are available in shops, must have a printed code, which shows a production method of eggs (in what circumstances hens are kept): 0 – eggs from biological farms, 1 – eggs from free-range hens, 2 – eggs from hens kept on litter, 3 – eggs from hens, kept in battery-cages.
In april there was prepared a TV plot for the local TV program My Dear Friend devoted to laying hens welfare and the Fond activity „Good Eggs Award”. The plot was broadcasted on april 26. The information was also published in the leading local newspaper „Diena”.

2. Campaign against industrial seal hunting in Canada
According to the statistic data, every year more than 300 000 seals get cruelly killed during seal hunting in Canada, the age of 98% of the killed seals is from 2 weeks till 3 months. This is why Animal Friend Fond, joining the international activity, in 2008 organized a wide campaigne for the defense of seals.
On february 15 the Fond sent letters to the deputies of EU Parliament from Latvia with an appeal to support the ban for the sales of seal products in European Community. The Fond considers, that EU together with its member states must try once again to make a decision to close European market for all products which are made of seals. According to the EC Directive No.83/1129/EEC, Belgium, The Netherlands, Slovenia and Croatia have introduced a sales ban for any products, made of seal skin. We hope, that these countries will not be alone in their fight, saving innocent animals, and that it is only a question of time, when other European countries will also admit, that killing of any animal babies in any case is completely unacceptable in the world, whose values are considered to be compassion and semsitivity. If EU, being one of the biggest markets for seal products, closes its doors for this business, the cruel extermination of baby-seals will be finished.
Fonds has sent a letter to the deputies of the Latvian Republic 9th Saeima with an appeal to use the right of a legislative initiative and to express a stimulation to the law Project „Amendments for the Law on Animal Protection” in order to determine in Latvia a general ban for sales of products, made of seal skin. We have received an answer, that this initiative could be discussed at the time, when the Law on Animal Protection will be open in the Saeima.
In february there was initiated a collection of signatures under the letter, addressed to the Canadian Prime Minister S.Harper with an appeal to stimulate Canadian government to forbid cruel seal hunting for industrial purposes. The collection of signatures lasted till the protest activity on march 15. On march 15 during the picket at the Canadian Embassy the Fond gathered confederates and animal protectors with the aim to Express the opinion, that seal hunting, which has just started in Canada and is supported by the Canadian government, can not be accepted. On this day there took place activities of animal protectors all over Europe. About 60 participants took part in the picket, including also representatives of other animal and environment protection organisations. During the activity more than 600 signatures have been gathered under the letter, addressed to the Canadian Prime Minister S.Harper, asking him to stimulate the ban on the cruel way of killing animals. Pictures of the picket: http://hashtreck.livejournal.com/2305.html

3. “Bare, But Not In Bear Skin” – campaign for the defense of Canadian black bears.

On June 15 the Fond together with other Latvian animal protection organisations and representatives from the UK animal welfare organisation „People for Ethical Treatment of Animals” (PETA) picketed the UK Embassy on Alunana str.5, Riga, demanding repeatdly Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, as well as UK Ministry of Defense to stop killing Canadian black bears for making decorative caps for Queen Royal guardians. About 30 participants of the picket, wearing caps, made of artificial bear fur, and holding posters „Bare, But Not In Bear Skin”, „We Trust You, the Queen!”, „Save My Skin!”, expressed their protest against a cruel use of these animals. Although this tradition ha san ancient history, animal protectors consider, that a tradition can not be an excuse for cruelty, and it is necessary to disclose the truth about caps for Queen Royal guardians. In order to manufacture one cap it is necessary to kill one black bear. Many bears are being shot for several times, until they die. Many bears, who manage to escape after a couple of shots, usually bleed till death. If a bear-mother is killed, little baby-bears starve to death. During this campaign animal protectors got an unbendable support both from separate members of the UK Parliament, and from such persons, like Pink, Sir Rojer Moore, Morrisey, James Cromwell, Twig, Pamela Anderson and others, who also require to accept a ban for use of bear skin for Queen’guardians caps. As long as members of the UK Embassy did not find a possibility to accept from the picket participants a letters, prepared in advance and addressed to the Queen Elizabeth II, to Prince Charles, to the UK Minister of Defense, with an appeal to stop this cruel tradition in the UK, the mentioned letters were sent by mail. It should be mentioned, that the Fond has received an answer from Prince Charles and from the Minister of Defence. It is stipulated in the letters, that the UK Ministry of Defence follows all possible alternatives to replace bear skin for Royal guardians caps. Since 2003 synthetic materials (seal skin imitation) is used for manufacturing of uniform caps for Royal Horse Artillerists. At the end of this year synthetic uniform caps will also be introduced for the Royal Shooters Regiment. Fonds is satisfied with the result.

4. „How Many Victims Are There in Your Wardrobe?” – activity for the defense of fur animals.

The Fonds, in cooperation with a photografer Sergey Kondrashin, tradicionally organized a winter season activity for the defense of fur animals, asking everyone symbolically, „How many victims are there in your wardrobe?”, in such a way making people think about the choice of clothes, having mercy and saving lives of innocent animals. During the activity – from november till january – posters with S.Kondrashin’s Picture, presented to the Fonds, as well as the question, was placed on a big cross-road in Riga (Ulmana gatve/Vienibas gatve). Fonds also appealed to companies/shops, who do not offer their customers goods, made of natural fur, to join the activity. The appeal was accepted by the net of clothing shops „Jack and Jones”, which agreed to place the Fonds activity posters and info materiāls in its shops in Latvia.
In november Animal Friend Fonds was officially accepted in the International animal protection organisation „Free From Fur”, which aim is to protect fur animals.
On december 6 Fonds organized a picket at the entrance of the fur-coat shop „Punto” in Riga, Kr.Barona str.28. The aim of the activity was to pursuade people not to buy clothes made of natural fur. About 30 persons participated in the picket. They addressed passers by with a question „How many victims are there in your wardrobe?”, hoping, that maybe in such a way they will make people think, that for one fur-coat tens or even thousands of animals are killed. We consider this day to be a victory, because thanks to the activity the shop „Punto” did not open its doors for their customers that day.

On december 6 the Fond representative Ms.Solvita Viba participated in the Latvian Radio morning broadcast „Saturday Morning Together With Arta and Ansis” in order to discuss in the direct ether about the protection of fur animals, on ethics of clothing, as well as on relationship of animals and humans in the world. Information about the picket of december 6 was delivered through Latvian TV info broadcast „Panorama”, as well as throgh several other local TV channels.

5. “There Is No Reason For Living Anymore!”
„Animal Friend Fond”, „AnimalSOS” and advertising agency King&Banzai organized a campaign against cruelty, placing an advertisement in publicē places in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja and Jurmala, as well aso n TV3 channel. The idea of the campaign is to ask the society for donations to animal welfare organizations, which deal on practice with homeless and abandoned animal saving and care. We evaluate the activity as a successful one, because, compared to previous years, during the activity there was a big number of telephone calls to the donation telephone number.

Activities
• Vegetarian Day
On april 21 and october 12 in the building of the shelter Animal Friend there took place activities „Vegetarian Days”. There were invited representatives of mass media, young people from environment protection organizations, as well as other interested persons. During the activity participants were acquainted with presentations. Representative of the Fonds Daiga Rozensteine presented the topic „Intensive Farming and Its Influence On Farm Animals”. There was a presentation, made by a journalist Inta Grinberga, who told about a destructive influence of intensive farming on ecology and environment. Third presentation was carried out by a representative of the shop „Bioteka” Ms Eva Intenberga, who told about the available vegetarian assortment of the shop, as well as about how to balance correctly all the nutrients in order to support a good health without eating meat. It was possible to get various info materiāls on intensive farming. A special interest was attracted by printed materiāls, prepared by the Fonds, including booklets on „egg recognition”, where it is explained and shown, how it is easy to distinguish eggs in shops (looking at the printed code on eggs – the first nimber shows conditions, in which hens were kept – 1 means free-range hens, 2 – kept in a hen-house on beddings, 3 – kept in cages). There was also available information on good vegetarian recipes, as well as booklets on vegetarism. At the end everybody was invited for degustation, where mainly were offered products made of soja (yoghurts, sweet cerams, milk, tofu cheese, steaks), as well as a honey cake, prepared in the restaurant RAMA (it does not contain eggs). It should be mentioned, that part of the guests after the activity decided „to put up” eating meat and to turn to vegetarian way of life, although it was nor a task of the organizers to pursuade anyone to become a vegetarian, but just to give information about the way, in which meat, milk and eggs reach our tabeles.
• „Fluffy Days”
On march 22 and 23, during the Easter Holidays animal exhibition „Fluffy Days”, in cooperation with DinoZoo, there took place a charity activity „Donate For a Shelter Pet”. There was organized a special stand for the shelter, where everybody could get information about shelter animals directly from shelter employees and volunteers. Everyone, who donated at least 3 lats for the shelter, got a DinoZoo customer Golden Card.
• A Meeting of Dogs, Adopted From The Shelter
On september 27 in the yard of the shelter „Animal Friend” on Fr.Candera street 4 there was organized a meeting of dogs, adopted from the shelter – a real dog-party! It was already for the third time, that Animal Friend Fond, awaiting the International Animal Day (october 4) organized such an activity, inviting dogs, adopted last year, together with their owners. In 2007 there were adopted 357 dogs, in 2008 by october – about 200 dogs. This is why it was not possible to invite all of them, but just a part of the lucky former shelter dogs – about 40 of them came to the party. There were distributed various awards during the party, such as „Golden Youth” for puppies, „Small and Lively” for small dogs, „Mischevous” for those dogs, who are basically active, naughty, but kindhearted, „Old Friends” for shelter dogs, adopted in previous years, „Graces” for gracius dogs, „Happy Stories” for dogs, whose life before they got to their real homes, was tragic, as well as „Miss and Mister 2008”. The activity was supported by food company Husse, there were presents from Wiskas and Pedigree. Iformative support was provided by the Internet portal www.petnet.lv. Information about the activity was shown through the local TV program „Goodmorning, Latvia!” and several other local TV channels and biggest newspapers. http://www.petnet.lv/sky/video/?id=726
• Charity activity in Yourmala on november 4. Fonds representative J.Sundejeva participated in the charity activity in the International School in Yourmala – during the charity bazaar schoolchildren offered to buy their drawings about animals. There were collected 243 lats. After the bazaar J.Sundejeva answered the numerous questions, asked by schoolchildren about the animal shelter.
• On november 23 Fonds representative S.Viba participated in the duty dogs competitions, organized by the Latvian Sports Dog Federation. Membership fee was donated for the shelter animals food and care. Altogether there was collected 280 lats.
International Cooperation

Fonds continued its membership in the International Animal Welfare Organisations WSPA, RSPCA, Eurogroup for Animals, Free From Fur (FFF), as well as cooperated with organisations PETA, CIWF, participating in their info campaigns and lobbying activities.
Legislation Improvement

In 2008 member of the Fonds Board S.Viba continued to work in the Animal Protectio Ethical Council as it Chairman. Fonds offered conclusions on the Law „Amendments for the Law On Animal Protection”, on MC rules „Registration Procedure for Home Pets”, as well as proposals for legislation on protection of fur animals, as well as homeless animal control legislation in municipalities.
Public Relations, Mass Media

As it was mentioned above, activities, organized by the Fonds, created a feed-back in the public and mass media. During the whole year Fonds had a good cooperation with newspapers Diena and Vesti Segodnja.
On december 13 Fonds representative Andra Ziverte told about Christmas gifts for pets in the Latvian National TV-cast „My Dear Friend”. On december 14 Fonds representative Solvita Viba shared her experience on the problems of allergy on animals and possible ways of their solving. On december 15 the First Baltic Channel informed about the shelter and aid, necessary for its animals. After the TV-cast there was a happy event – owners have recornized their lost dog, who was in the vet-clinic „Animal Health Center”. On december 30 Fonds representative Jevgenija Sundejeva gave an interview to the radio Baltcon and radio Mix FM.

Our Guests

During the whole year the Fonds and the shelter were visited by numerous schoolchildren and young people.
On august 20 the Fonds and the shelter were visited by members of the Care Center „Appeal To You” from Sigulda. There live people with special needs, and for them this visit was a special event and a really joyful day in their life. At the beginning Fonds activists told them about shelter animals, activities, organized for animal protection, after that everyone had a possibility to see shelter dogs and cats.

In october the Fonds got new friends – employees of the Latvian Nature Museum, as well as young friends of nature, who study in the special groups – Paleonthologists, geologists and Zoologists, which started an activity „With a Responsibility For a Pet” in october. Fonds representatives organized two lectures on animal protection and a shelter everyday routine. And the whole october friends from the museum used their free time to visit the shelter and to take for a walk shelter dogs.

Fonds sent Christmas cards to all its partners, volunteers and specially those schoolchildren, who in 2008 visited the Fonds and the shelter. Fonds sen tas a present books for the total amount of 107 lats to all the schools, whose schoolchildren visited the shelter.

Volunteers work

In 2008 volunteers hav donated 232 8-hours working days to animal welfare and care.
In august there was finished the Fonds Project in the frames of the EU nonformal educational programs „Youth in Action” subprogram „European Volunteer work”. A volunteer from Germany – Ulrike Heike Werner finished her 6 months long work in the shelter. Cooperation with Ulrika started already in 2007, when she visited the shelter and helped to rehome in Germany a shelter dog Lucky, who had only 3 legs. This year, thanks to Ulrika, one more shelter dog Mister X went to a new home in Germany. In addition to her main job (animal cleaner), Ulrika fulfilleds many valuable idejas – organized seminars for shelter volunteers on dogs training, prepared a printed booklet „Dogs Training ABC”, donated to the shelter a new cage for rats. We are also happy about her hand-made present for some city cats colony – Cats Cafe (a small wooden house for feeding of street cats). Cats Cafe will be installed in some Riga territory in order the process of street cats feeding could bring joy not only for cats, but to the managers of the territory. Ulrika was and is a real animal friend, and our friend as well.
In 2008 volunteers A.Viba and M.Seleznova participated in the competition for youth „The Next 90s”, devoted to the 90th anniversary of the Latvian Republic, volunteers I.Brila, N.Dambrova, A.Lovuskina, M.Seleznova and A.Viba handed an application for the ZZ Annual Award for social activities.
Summer camp in Jonkoping.
From 21 till 24 of august the Fonds volunteers Daiga Rozensteine and Anastasija Lovockina visited an International Summer Camp for animal welfarists in Jonkoping, Sweden, where participated representatives of various animal welfare organisations from more than 20 countries, altogether about 300 participants. Animal welfarists reported on their animal welfare activities, carried out during the year in each country. There were offered tutorials on laboratory animals, fur animals, seals and whales, circus animals, hunting animal protection, vegetarian and vegan way of life, as well as information on how it is better to create a home page.

Conferences

From may 16 till 18 of may Fonds representative D.Rozensteine [articipated in the annual conference in Budapest Čompassion In World Farming”. There were more than 40 members from various European animal welfare organisations, in order to discuss together all the achievements of the previous year. Many organisations made presentations and reports on carrying out different campaigns, related to farm animal welfare, paying the biggest attention to laying hens welfare. D.Rozensteine made a presentation on the Fonds achievements concerning the protection of farm animals, mentioning a successful campaign „Good Eggs Award”, „Vegetarian Day”, as well as creation of informative materials. „Compassion In World Farmng” evaluated positively Latvian achievements and will keep on supporting the Fonds also in its future campaigns.
On november 13 Fonds representative, a chairman of the Animal Protection Ethical Council, Ms.Solvita Viba participated in the conference „A United Registration of Home (room) Pets – benefits, cooperation, solutions”, which took place in the frames of European Veterinarian Week in the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture. S.Viba made a presentation „Protection of Homeless Animals – The Present Situation and the System in Future”.

Informative Materials
In february the Fonds volunteers prepared informative leaflet on industrial seal hunting in Canada with the aim to informē the society about the cruel branch, supported by the Canadian government.
In march there were prepared informative materiāls for the activity „Good Eggs Award” on methods of sold eggs production.
In april Fonds prepared an informative booklet „Cats Claw Amputation – Is It Manicure or Crippling?”, which is distributed through veterinatian clinics to informē the society , that such a surgery is forbidden in Latvia and is a cruelty against an animal.
In august there was prepared a booklet „ABC For Dogs Training” – basic rules of dogs training.
In November there were prepared informative materiāls for protection of fur animals.

Plans for 2009
1. To continue participation in the Latvian Animal Protection Ethical Council.
2. To participate in the working groups of the Ministry of Agriculture on preparation of laws in the sphere of animal protection.
3. To organizē informative campaign for the protection and welfare of laying hens and broilers (to preparē informative booklets, participate in European campaigns „Good Eggs Award” in Latvia, prepare articles for mass media and internet home page).
4. To organizē a protest activity against Canadian seal hunting on march 15 (to preparē info materiāls and visual decoration of the activity).
5. To organizē an info campaign for the protection of laboratory animals in april.
6. To organizē an activity „Meeting of Dogs Adopted From the Shelter” in august/september.
7. To organize activities on october 4 – International Animal Day.
8. To organize an activity for the protection of fur animals in november-december.
9. To cooperate with educational institutions to distribute information on problems of animal protection, to organizē excursions for schoolchildren to the animal shelter.
10. To suppoprt animal protection activities in cooperation with other animal protection organizations in Latvia.
11. To organizē activities for collecting donations on animal protection (street activities, charity bazārs).
12. To prepare info materiāls on animal protection.
13. To organize volunteer work in the frames of „Animal Friend Fund”, as well as to organize a volunteer school in summer 2009.
14. To support and to add information on „Animal Friend Fond” on animal protection and fonds activities on the home page www.dzd.lv.
15. To participate as members in the work of International animal protection organizations WSPA, RSPCA, Eurogroup for Animals, Free from Fur, CIWF.