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Autonomous non-profit organization
“Center for Animal Welfare Legal Protection”
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Part:
LETTERS FROM GUARDIANS OF HOMELESS ANIMALS
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow South-Western Administrative District
To: Director of Autonomous Non-Profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
E.A.Ilyinsky
Moscow is regarded as a city, pursuing a policy of humane keeping of homeless animals, i.e. cats and dogs.
But what is this humaneness like and towards whom? In fact, towards nobody, neither the people, not the animals. Apparently, the program was drafted by incompetent and inhuman people.
The program’s corner-stone is neutering of the dogs. Yet, do we see many stray dogs around wearing the distinctive collars, they should wear after neutering? Which means that neutering fails to encompass all the animals. They neuter largely smaller dogs and dogs for which it is easy to find the owners (i.e. pedigree stock), it looks like neutering has nothing to do with the rest. Under the program, the dogs after neutering are released to survive on their own due to lack of animal shelters and for some other considerations. And survive they do: they form packs and hunt homeless cats that are supposed to be under the protection of the said “humane” program. What this boils down to is this: one cannot butcher a dog, as for the cat, it can be given away to a hungry pack of dogs to be torn to pieces, where’s humaneness here?
Everybody notes the number of dogs in the city has increased, although the authorities insist the dog population is stable. Raids on homeless cats occur almost every day.
The situation with homeless cats is becoming catastrophic. The workers of communal services, guided by stupid instructions, callously wall up the cats alive in the basements, dooming them to an agonizing death. Part of the animals are left in the streets and die of the dogs’ teeth. At the windows of apartment houses, scenes with heart-rending cries of the dying cats, and the barking and whining of hungry dogs are becoming commonplace, for cats have become a very easy prey to the dogs.
As it turns out, cruel treatment of homeless cats is incorporated in this “humane” program from the very beginning.
Only absolutely indifferent individuals can watch such scenes unruffled. As for normal people, they are unable to watch this horror unperturbed, many tend to faint, the blood pressure rises, the spirits decline. Children, especially those easily impressed, start weeping.
As for the most compassionate dwellers, they, in a bid to rescue the animals, take them to their homes. Such home shelters at present accommodate from 5 to 20 animals, each. People are willing to sacrifice virtually anything for the good of their pets. As they are unable to leave the animals unattended, such people cannot leave home for any significant length of time, they do not have time for rest, even do not buy food for themselves, sacrificing everything for the good of their cats. Besides, they have to tolerate verbal abuse and traumas caused by their next-door neighbors as well as of the workers of communal services. These volunteer guardians of animals that are left alone in the court-yards, they construct primitive shelters for them , feed the animals, thereby irritating the neighbors living on the ground floor and personnel of the house-maintenance authorities. They set militia at such guardians, they pour boiling water on them., while the cats are poisoned. What human rights can one talk about in such circumstances? The sufferings of such people are hard to describe. And this is a most conscientious part of the population. People are sustaining heavy material and moral losses, being under a permanent stress. All appeals to the local authorities and people’s deputies are vain. On a practical level, the notion of a “homeless animal” is legitimized. From the standpoint of true humaneness, however, there must be no such notion in a civilized city, all the more so, in a capital city of a state, orienting towards the universal human values.
I can see a way out in the building of animals shelters immediately (at least, for the dogs, at the beginning) and in legitimating cat habitats - the basements (to begin with).
It is time we stopped torturing humans and animals by the aforesaid “humane” programs drawn up by either incompetent or cruel people, at any rate – indifferent, this is for sure.
It is time people were relieved of home shelters they are forced to set up. Provisions must be made for a quiet, decent life any person is entitled to.
Unless this is done, we’ll have to establish a society of stray animal guardians and to internationalize our struggle for the rights of guardians and the rights of our smaller brethren.
01.07.2004, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I am a guardian of homeless animals, over the long period of my charity activity I ‘ve been able to witness the following.
I can cite a lot of examples of cruelty, I’ve been dealing with cruelty all the time, and, the most disturbing thing is that children are involved in this. They burn cats, tie up cat’s feet with a wire and drop cats from the roofs of high-rises, fix nails to sticks and puncture cats with such sticks. Why? Take our literature and you will find a very detailed description of the procedure: how one can teach one’s pet or how a kitten can be thrown in to puppets, the kitten’s claws removed in advance, and once a puppet grows up a little, one should throw in to it homeless puppets and kittens. Such letters of sadists are published by my favorite newspaper “AiF” (June, 2004), where the sadist Ousov tells the reader how he feeds his pet tiger with homeless cats, whereas Mrs. Pavlova from the fauna section of Moscow Mayor’s Office tells the sadist that there is nothing terrible about such things, provided nobody knows about them. What is the purpose of publishing such facts. It is not surprising, then, that lessons of cruelty, like visual aids, are available in literature and the press.
And, what do we find in our basements? Nearly all our basements are used for the accommodation of Uzbeks, Tajiks, who close up all holes in the basements, especially during the autumn-winter period. Therefore, one walks, as a matter of routine, to unstop those holes, and should one come back in half an hour, he is sure to find those holes closed up again. Yesterday, before my very eyes a cat died: it was running away from a dog, reached the hole – closed, dashed back, but didn’t have the time to climb a tree. I don’t want to go into detail regarding my condition and what happened to a woman who was with me: she was having a fit of hysterics after she saw what had happened to the cat. And how do our Unitary Customer Management Offices poison rats? Once they complete the operation, the rats, for some strange reason turn out to be alive, while the janitors pull out 2 or 4 poisoned cats. One is under the impression that our appropriate authorities in charge of registration of foreigners seek to provide the necessary conditions for the foreigners and do not care about apartment houses that were once blasted in Moscow with hundreds of people. Everybody seems to be content with the current situation: both the Unitary Customer Management Offices and our militia services. Why do the Uzbeks tells us how our Russian Moscow-based cats and dogs should live???
And, as long as barbarous acts are committed in the streets of my city, I shall never comply with the law on controlled number of animals in a house. Never!!!
Can anyone pass by these eyes imploring one for help? Pass by the nubbins, aware of what awaits them. I am unable to look in the pitiable eyes full of suffering, I simply take those nubbins and, not thinking too much, carry them home.
I am 51, I have two grown up sons, at the moment I keep 24 cats and 2 dogs. I’ve been the owner of a good deal of animals; many animals I managed to accommodate, many died, but all of them had known my warmth, caressing, love, security. I’m a disabled of the 2nd category, bronchial asthma. I know, I should not do this, realizing what my next fit may end with, at such moments I always think with fear what will happen to the creatures that are at my place, but I cannot do otherwise.
I know that as long as I can walk, can breathe, I shall act as a guardian of all creatures, if I can, until I die, and will, as before, visit the basements, feed the homeless creatures, pick up the ailing, sterilize, clear the holes …
I have no kittens that were given birth at home, when the time comes, I decide them question of sterilization resolutely. The number of animals fluctuating all the time, normally upwards.
I do not raise the question of assistance. For the assistance to be targeted. They set up mansions on blood and suffering … My reserve stock has been depleted, I sacrifice everything only to make sure that my charges have a decent life. With 2 adult sons, I can’t be lying on the ground.
And as long as the tragedy is always within an easy reach, I have no right to relax.
God, help our smaller brethren. Help!
August 9, 2004, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I am a guardian of homeless cats. Have to engage in charity activity, because the municipal, let alone district authorities do nothing to resolve the problems of homeless animals. Our street is located near to an industrial park. At the enterprises, cats and dogs multiply without any restriction (Zelenyi Prospekt, theater cosmetics factory), once the litter is out, it is scattered all over the neighboring areas or is poisoned. The owners of enterprises do nothing to curb the birth rate of cats and dogs; they don’t want to spend money. Driven by starvation, dogs are engaged in cannibalism, cats die (2nd Passage of Perovo Pole). Lots of starving animals roam in search of food, therefore we have to feed them, tyry to sterilize stray cats. Many animals are murdered by knackers. Neàr the house at 29 at 1st Vladimirskaya Street, they used to find kittens wrapped up in cellophane or scotch tape; in the courtyard of the house at 27 same street, the teenagers gave some paint to drink to a male cat, the cat died of poisoning. At 6, Metallurgov Street, a janitor, non-Muscovite, is poisoning cats in the basement, for he does not like animals, he says they are in the way. I wonder when this all will end and when laws will be adopted to protect homeless animals. Why is there no mandatory neutering program for domestic animals? So many owners of kittens and puppets throw them into the street. Why are there no clubs for mongrel kittens and dogs that would control the animal population and would attend to the problem of finding suitable owners for kittens and puppets. How much longer shall we have to tolerate the anguish of dumb creatures? We do hope the municipal authorities will at last focus on animals, will pay attention them.
I’m 34, I am a pedagogue at a kinder-garten and I draw a very low salary. I have a husband and a child. The husband’s pay is also rather small, therefore every now and then we have rows at home, I’m forced to earn on the side, as I simply unable to feed and sterilize these hapless animals for my account. For 2 years, I’ve sterilized 280 cats, I feed 20 cats in the street, plus I keep 20 pet cats at home. Hardly do I find the owner for some cat, when somebody throws in new cats for me. The people’s callousness and cruelty strike me; the same goes for the authorities that do nothing and don’t want to do anything to relieve the plight of animals and people, who have the heart and are willing to share the last thing they have, food and shelter, waste their health. I have nobody to trap cats for me; this I do myself. My hands are wounded, veins are torn. Nobody helps me.
Ð.S. Most cats have been sterilized by me with the money of the “Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”. No vet clinics offer this kind of assistance free of charge and with a high quality.
August 20, 2005, Signature
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Letter from a Moscow Lady-dweller
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I’m 55, and I’m a pensioner. I’m trying to help the animals in the house estate, where I live: I feed them, many of the animals I took to my place: little, helpless and ailing - I’ve nursed them back to health for my personal account, although I do not have money to spare. All the time, I have to tolerate rudeness and callousness of the people around me: they throw out dishes with water, set their pet dogs at my cats, etc. When I encounter small kittens in distress (often, second-hand dealers throw these out), my heart is breaking, for I can’t help them, since it’s only grown up cats that are able to survive in the street.
The animals unprotected by law and special activities of the state are a shame for a civilized country. Something must be done with this without delay at a state level. The authorities turn a blind eye to this very big problem. Not realizing that crime in this country may be related to the all-pervading cruelty and immorality. In my view, animal shelters may well be set up in each district.
22.08.2004, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I am a guardian of homeless animals. In the course of my charity activity (10 years), I’ve seen manifestations of cruelty, sadism in respect of homeless animals. They are poisoned in the basements of apartment houses. Children behead the kitten, hang cats and puppets. They also burn animals, take puppets to the wood, dooming them to an agonizing death from starvation. We need laws that would the animals. We, guardians, have to tolerate burning stubs being thrown at us from the house windows. All for feeding homeless animals. We have no rights. We want very much to be heard and homeless animals to assisted.
Laws are a must. People must be punished for cruelty and sadism.
We are badly in need of animals shelters. There are lots of homeless animals around, every day they throw away kittens, cats and dogs.
I am on pension, and am willing to sacrifice anything. I keep 8 cats at my home, all of them I picked up in the street. My heart is rending at the sight of the corpses of cats and kittens, and I don’t see any break in the clouds.
14.07.04, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I am a guardian of homeless animals and I wish to express my indignation at the indifference and cruelty towards these hapless creatures, whose life is so short and full of anguish. I’ve been walking around the house and see that in so many buildings the air-ducts of the basements are walled up. Where there used to live tiny female cats, now rats galore. During the war, people used to share the last piece of bread with their pets. Why, then, are they so cruel now? The animals are not at fault: somebody has thrown them out, and there is no one around to protect them. Some argue that there are enough homeless persons, and here we come with our homeless cats and dogs. But this is stupid: any creature that has been blessed by the God should live. I, for example, go around , feeding the crows: they help to get rid of rats. But the crows are often killed, too. Special programs must be shown on TV for the parents and kids to realize that one must have pity for the animals.
At my work, the management ordered to get rid of rats, using rat poison. When I saw the corpses I had hysterics. Such people should understand that they hurt those who feed and love pet cats and dogs. Not only do I walk out and feed homeless animals, I keep animals at my place, I have 10 creatures, and I love all of them. I am a disabled person, but thanks to God, I have the heart and soul.
August 4, 2004, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
I’m writing this letter to you with a cry of anguish for all homeless animals.
I am a guardian of homeless animals in my district. And what do I see? All the houses are with walled up basements. The cats are unable to leave the basements and have to die. They cannot find a shelter and hide from all the dogs.
Furthermore, I can see the dog owners setting their pets at the cats and kittens, and deriving pleasure from the sight, and this is not punishable. The children see their parents do this, and they act likewise. Once, children had nothing better to do but play soccer, using a puppy as a football. They kicked and tossed the puppy. Neither the kids, nor their parents responded to the criticisms of the people around. Instead, they threatened the animal protectors. I used to frequent the place at Yunnatov Street, where they sterilize cats and dogs. It is not easy to take a homeless animal over so long a distance. Besides, not every pensioner can afford paying Rbls. 250 for the operation, allegedly for medication.
It would be a great help, if an animal-welfare society could be set up in each district. Sterilization stations should be opened in each district. Very convenient: one call, and the specialists are here. One can arrange assistance and trapping of an animal with the station. A person dealing with animals professionally knows how to trap a wild cat or dog. There must be a trapping expert. Once an animal is sterilized, one can proceed working with the animals further: accommodate or find an owner, or place at a nursery.
A few words about a nursery. At Veshnyaki and Zhulebino: what is the condition of the nurseries? Nobody controls them. The animals have no tin plates, let alone the drinking water. The treatment of animals is not provided for properly, but ailing animals are brought there, too. Elementary medicine for intestinal worms or fleas is unavailable.
And there is one reason for all these woes: we do not have the law to protect our homeless animals.
Man must protect the fauna, not destroy it. We are responsible for all animals that we have domesticated.
09.08.2005, Signature
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Letter from a Moscow Lady-dweller
To: Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
Petition
I am a pensioner (62), a disabled of 2nd category. For more than 10 years, I’ve been walking around the neighboring apartment houses, trying to take care of homeless cats and dogs, i.e. feed them regularly, treat them if I can, sterilize and find new owners for them; some of these creatures I’ve adopted myself (at present, I have 8 cats and 1 dog). Over the period of my guardianship, I’ve had to note the following sad facts: even if we do save them from starvation by feeding them daily, they still often die due to harsh treatment by adults and children, deliberate poisoning (sheer anguish), being run over by vehicles; they also die as a result of attacks by stray and some dangerous pet dogs, diseases they contract in the street. The people’s attitude is extremely callous.
I do hope that before long responsibility for inhuman attitude towards animals will be punishable in our society. At present any attempts at the life of homeless cats and dogs in this country are absolutely unpunishable.
Respectfully yours,
August 21, 2004. Signature
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Letter from a Moscow Lady-dweller
To: Director of the Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
Mr. E.A.Ilyinsky
Dear Evgeny Abnatolievich!
I am a pensioner. Since 1992, I’ve been collecting ailing, shot off cats and dogs. Using my meager pension, I feed and treat the animals. At present, I have 12 cats and 4 large dogs in my single-room flat.
I distribute the thrown out kittens, puppets, pull kittens out of the basements, take cats for sterilization.
The people standing with a sign reading “I’ll take kittens, puppets” throw the animals in at different entrance spaces all the time: these I have to accommodate, too.
The house maintenance office keeps walling up the air-ducts in the basements: as a result, cats die in the basements, for they are unable to get out.
I can no longer tolerate the abuse hurled at me and beatings from the neighbors.
We are undernourished, do not sleep enough, and generally feel dead beat.
August 17, 2004, Signature
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Letter from a Lady-dweller of Moscow Eastern Administrative District
To: Director of the Autonomous Non-profit Organization
“Charitable Society for the Guardianship of Homeless Animals”
Mr. E.A.Ilyinsky
Dear Evgeny Anatolievich!
There is a lot of homeless animals in our Perovo Area of Moscow Eastern Administrative District. The local authorities are reluctant to solve this problem. To reduce the numbers of cats and dogs, they butcher and poison these. They do nothing to organize sterilization in order to bring down the birth rate.
I feed homeless cats, as far as I can, take them to sterilization.
In view of the foregoing, I request you to influence the existing situation in favor of homeless animals. I find such inhuman treatment of animals absolutely inadmissible.
Respectfully yours,
03.09.2004, Signature
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