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Published on September 14, 2007

"Our ambition is to create a world in which animals are regarded as sentient, and whose needs are understood, regulated and protected by enforced legislation," Peter Davies, director-general of the WSPA, said yesterday.

Bangkok was chosen as it is viewed as a stable hub of Asia, with religions encompassing animal welfare, he said.

Davies is also working on the universal declaration on animal welfare by bringing members to sign 10 million signatures so that the United Nations will recognise that animal welfare matters. HRH Princess Somsavali presided at the opening ceremony to ink the 750,000th signature for the declaration.

The global organisation's mission is to prevent cruelty to all species of animals, including commercial exploitation of wildlife, and bad slaughter of farm animals. It also works on educating youngsters on animal welfare in schools. It is one of the global coordinators in helping with disaster relief like the tsunami.

"When there is a disaster the priority is for the humans - that is correct, but for many humans the animal is their only wealth," Davies said.

The WSPA has worked on some animal issues in Thailand before, including reducing the malnutrition of Lampang horses used to pull carriages, creating a mobile clinic for elephants in Lampang and cooperating with a stray dogs foundation.

"Every country has too many stray and unwanted dogs. Essentially there is no one solu?tion," he said.

To control the population of unwanted canines, it is important to educate people on animal welfare and countries should require registration of dog owners, he said.

However, the biggest cruelty remains with farm animals.

If people want to produce meat that is good and healthy, cramming animals in bad conditions and slaughtering it isn't the way to go, he said, adding that avian flu was one result of the bad treatment of farm animals.

The WSPA will join with 11 other member societies in Thailand including the Lampang Pony Welfare Organisation, Phangan Animal Care, Soi Dog Foundation and Wildlife Friends Foundation. It is also open to small groups wishing to run animal welfare groups. Training is available and groups can learn how to earn their own money without needing to ask others for help.

The regional office is located in the Olympia Thai Tower at 444 Ratchadaphisek Road. To get involved please visit www.wspa-international.org.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra, The Nation