World News Roundup: August 4, 2017

Western Australia Behind Other States for Canine Sterilization (Perth Now)

A national survey of pet owners in Western Australia has revealed that more than a third of dog owners in the state have not had their dogs spayed or neutered, giving it the worst rate of dog sterilization in the country. This finding has led Premier Mark McGowan to reaffirmed the government’s intention to introduce compulsory dog sterilization, which would force dog owners to sterilize their dogs unless an appropriate exemption was requested.

Dubai’s Most Common Complaint: Stray Cats (The National)

According to the Dubai Municipality, the most common complaint received during the first half of the year was stray cats. The problem? Residents don’t want to take stray cats to government centers in part because they’re afraid the cats will be euthanized. For the same reason, many residents going on vacation simply leave their pets unattended. “They prefer leaving them to chance than taking them to a shelter where they don’t know what will happen to them.”

Italian Government Pledges $1 Million for Bird Migration Atlas (CMS)

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals welcomed a $1 million pledge from the government of Italy in support of the development of an atlas on bird migration. “The atlas responds to the needs of the convention and its family, and is expected to be a stepping stone to the creation of a Global Animal Migration Atlas.” The bird migration atlas will explore the African-Eurasian region over the course of 3 years.

Chilean Football Team Uses Rescue Dogs as Mascots (The Independent)

“Chilean [soccer] team Colo-Colo has started using rescue dogs as matchday mascots in a hope to find them new homes.” The soccer team worked with the local Union de Amigos de los Animales animal shelter to raise “awareness, affection, and love for the animals.” The rescue dogs were present during the team’s recent match against Antofagasta, and were shown off to a sold-out crowd of over 47,000.

Pakistan Laboratory Helps Improve Food Safety, Increase Exports (International Atomic Energy Agency)

“The Pakistani Veterinary Residue Laboratory in Faisalabad, a food laboratory supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has acquired the capability to undertake state-of-the-art tests to certify the safety of food.” Officials are expecting the laboratory to contribute to increased meat exports due to food safety certificates the laboratory will be able to issue for the first time.

Nova Scotia SPCA Concerned Too Many Animals Returned to Owners (News 95.7)

Joane Landsburg, chief inspector with the Nova Scotia SPCA, is concerned that SPCA officers are going above the law and returning animals to their owners that could then be put back in harm’s way. “When the SPCA has an animal seized in Nova Scotia, its owner has the opportunity to file an appeal and have their case heard before the body in charge of hearing SPCA appeals under the province’s Animal Protection Act,” she says.