Press Release, October 14, 2013

Activists of the Novosibirsk branch of YABLOKO supported the rally “Russia against cruelty” organised by the animal advocates on October 12. The rally had taken place for the second time in Novosibirsk.

The main demands of the protesters were the adoption of the law on humane treatment of animals in Russia. The law should be drafted by the animal advocate groups and not by the present committee of the State Duma. They also demanded to create the programme on the regulation of the number of homeless animals which will be cheaper and more effective than trapping and shooting the stray animals in the Novosibirsk Region. Another demand was the interdiction of corruption in the field of trapping the homeless animals in Novosibirsk.

The rally went on like a lecture. The animal advocates, scientists, non-indifferent citizens spoke for two hours. They told why the trapping and shooting of stray dogs is non-effective, what to do if you’ve picked up a homeless animal, why should we necessarily sterilize a pet, which legislative measures can solve the problem of stray animals, what the municipal centre with the year’s budget of 16 million actually does and what a non-government animal shelter with the budget 16 times less can do.

Member of the Novosibirsk branch of YABLOKO, a civil activist Olesya Valger reminded all those present about their childhood feelings when their parents made them pass by homeless sick animals how and pity stored in their soul. Now that they’ve grown up the life becomes great as they can reveal their conscience and say what they rally think and do as they say.