Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th December 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Thomas Cook launches new animal welfare policy
Thomas Cook has pledged to phase-out practices that are known to severely compromise the welfare and survival of animals.
Company to enforce ABTA Global Guidelines

Travel company Thomas Cook has launched a ground-breaking new policy that seeks to improve the welfare of animals in captivity.

Announced on Tuesday (13 December), the policy has been developed in partnership with The Born Free Foundation. It will require all animals attractions and outings sold by Thomas Cook to evidence full compliance with the ABTA Global Guidance.

‘Put simply, if an attraction is found not to be fully compliant with the ABTA Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, Thomas Cook won’t sell it,’ explained Peter Fankhauser, Thomas Cook’s group chief executive.

‘We know that for many people, animals in captivity of any form is unacceptable. However, it is a sad truth that many captive animals cannot be safely returned to the wild.

‘Tourism has a big role to play in raising standards for those animals during the transition to ending the practice of capturing animals for entertainment, and ending practices that are known to harm animals.’

As well as refusing to sell attractions that do not comply with minimum welfare requirements, Thomas Cook has also pledged to phase-out practices that are known to severely compromise the welfare and survival of animals.

Furthermore, the company has promised to ensure that existing facilities keeping captive wild animals meet the highest animal welfare standards.

Welcoming the announcement, Will Travers OBE, CEO and President of Born Free Foundation said:

“Thomas Cook’s decision to lead the travel industry away from the exploitation of wild animals in captivity for entertainment purposes, towards a future where their welfare needs are respected and tourism becomes a driver for conservation and environmental protection, is a vision I and millions of others wholeheartedly support.  

“Thomas Cook and Born Free are charting new territory where an extraordinary future beckons, one based on respect and compassion. Together we will defend the principle that wild animals should be free, and we commit ourselves to their protection, and the conservation of the natural world.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.