CERECO OPENS DOORS TO COUNCILLOR

News

Contributor / 2011-10-18 10:52:15

Cereco

As a Councillor and Second Deputy to the Mayor, it is only natural that I am interested in the well-being of the people and the animals in our community. However I must stress that the priority must and always will be, for the human residents of our Municipality.

I am very much aware, as an animal lover myself, of the need to care for the increasing number of abandoned animals in our Community.

Previously, there was a great deal of expenditure on the collection and homing of abandoned animals. As we are still experiencing an economic crisis, we cannot continue to dish out money to organisations that have as their primary goal, the saving of the lives of these animals, regardless of whether or not, they are healthy enough to survive independently. We have to be realistic. That was why we, the Town Hall, decided to give the contract to recover and deal with the abandoned animals, to Cereco.

What is Cereco?

It is a company that is engaged, by a large number of Town Halls in the Vega Baja region, including San Fulgencio Town Hall, to collect and deal with the problem of abandoned animals.

Before I continue to discuss Cereco, it should be pointed out that in the UK, an abandoned animal is taken to a central pound. The animal is checked over and any identifying marks and “chip details” are noted. Attempts are made to reconnect them with their owners. The animal is normally kept for a period of 7 – 10 days. If the animal is not claimed, it is humanely put to sleep.

At Cereco, animals recovered from the streets are placed in their care for 20 days. There are two parts to this organisation. The first part, which is based in Poligono Cachapet, Crevillente, is where the animals are taken, to be assessed and examined. Between 24 and 48 hours, they are moved to a larger facility out in the country.

Currently there are a few people who are being influenced, to oppose the continuation of the contract with Cereco, on the grounds that the conditions that the animals are kept under are filthy and unhealthy. With this in mind, I decided to pay an unannounced visit to the facility, along with an independent witness.

On Thursday 6th October 2011, I arrived at the facility in Crevillente and identified myself. I was immediately given access and introduced to the owner, a Veterinary Surgeon of more than 27 years. He showed us around the facility and considering that this is a place for abandoned animals and not a “pet hotel”, I found the general areas, clean, disinfected and all cages had food and water. The caged dogs were all quite lively and bright eyed. What should be remembered is that the majority of these animals have been abandoned by unfeeling and callous owners.

I was then taken to the other compound belonging to Cereco, which was set on 13000 square metres of Campo. The pounds, many of new construction, were clean, had adequate supplies of food and water.

The animals all appeared in reasonable health and some were being exercised by volunteers. The manageress of this facility lives next to it and keeps a watchful eye on things 24/7.

There are economic reasons why animals are abandoned, but it is not the responsibility of Town Halls to prolong the lives of these unfortunate animals. The priorities of Town Halls are to provide for the people first.

My opinion, and that of my observer, is that, as facilities for abandoned animals were concerned, this was more than adequate, humane and caring. When I asked the owner, if there was anything that he would like, he stated that he would appreciate the assistance of volunteers to walk and groom the animals and more people to come forward and adopt the animals and give them a loving home for the rest of their lives.