“این عکس یک زن جوان در حال خندیدن است”

“This photo is of a young woman laughing.”Fatima Mohammadi

Conversation with Kamran Rabani, President of the Association for Supporting Homeless Animals in Kerman.

Animal rights have been forgotten in the chaos and daily struggles. Animal rights are considered a part of the environment and the environment is a right for humans. The abuse and slaughter of animals – which has been normalized through the spread of images on social media – has become a form of entertainment for some individuals. Many people lack the necessary awareness about animal rights and are unaware of the problems and treatment of activists in this field, and even hinder their efforts. The importance of animal rights activists – especially for homeless animals – may only become apparent to citizens when they encounter discomfort in various parts of the city, such as in some parks where the presence of cats and sometimes dogs can cause them distress.

A group of animal supporters came together in Kerman in June 2016 due to the unsuitable living conditions and unscientific and unethical methods of population control for stray animals. They took the first steps to establish the Kerman Society for the Protection of Homeless Animals. This organization, as a non-governmental and non-political organization (NGO), officially began its activities in June 2017 after a year of continuous pursuit and obtaining a license from the Ministry of Interior and the Kerman Governorate. Kamran Rabani is the chairman of the board of directors of the Kerman Society for the Protection of Homeless Animals, and we had a conversation with him in this issue of the Peace Line.

What dangers and problems do homeless animals living in cities face?

Malnutrition, multiple diseases, and damage to the heart due to reasons such as road accidents, conflicts with fellow animals and other animals, as well as animal abuse are the most important problems that can be mentioned.

On the other hand, what are the issues caused by homeless animals in the city for citizens?

Transmission of common diseases between animals and humans, aggressive behaviors of animals towards citizens, causing fear and terror, noise pollution, harm to livestock, road/street accidents, disfiguring the city’s face in case of an animal accident, and failure to remove animal carcasses. These problems increase the need for attention, organization, and control of the homeless animal population and neglect or inappropriate solutions will only worsen the mentioned problems; problems that affect both humans and animals.

What activities and services does the Kerman Society for the Protection of Homeless Animals cover?

This forum follows up on citizens’ phone calls regarding animals in need of assistance and cases of animal nuisance, and controls the population of homeless animals. It also carries out activities for raising awareness in this field, such as producing and distributing brochures, handouts, newsletters, and books, holding lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and conferences, conducting research, organizing animal training courses for enthusiasts, and providing education in schools and kindergartens based on the Declaration of Animal Rights, promoting kindness and non-harm towards animals, and holding charity exhibitions and markets. In addition to these, it provides emergency services needed by government and non-governmental organizations, such as collecting and rescuing injured animals.

Regarding animal population control, please provide further explanation. What are the steps involved in this process and what is the purpose of it?

The problems caused by urban animals are mainly related to their large numbers if not controlled. Due to the high reproductive potential of animals, the aforementioned problems arise. These problems have been solved in many countries around the world through practical, scientific, and ethical methods, mainly through sterilization, while in our country it has become a major problem. Unfortunately, in recent years, governments have resorted to unethical, unscientific, and ineffective methods of controlling animal populations in the long term, such as injecting, poisoning, using firearms, or releasing them on the outskirts of cities – which leads to their death – which not only does not solve the problems, but also creates new ones.

The stages of population control by standard and scientific methods are:

1- Identifying animal colonies (gathering place)

2- Reviving animals without harming them and saving animals.

3- Transfer of captured live animals to shelter

4- Quarantine of animals according to domestic regulations

5- Examination by a veterinarian

6- Treatment of injured animals

7- Internal and external deworming

8- Seven-fold vaccination and Harry

9- Classification, completing relevant forms and referring captured animals to the appropriate sections of the shelter.

10- Sterilization

11- Marking

12- Release in specific wide and enclosed places (sites)

13- Meal

14- Annual vaccination

What consequences will the use of non-standard and unethical population control methods have?

These methods temporarily control the population of animals, but they are not capable of controlling the population in a real and sustainable way; at the same time, they are cost-prohibitive. Unscientific methods cause changes in the ecosystem balance and create new problems by other animals. They also cause environmental pollution. In this way, hunting with guns causes bloodshed in the environment and contaminates groundwater (as hunting often takes place outside the city). Also, animal carcasses are sometimes not buried or buried according to proper protocols, and are left on roads and similar places.

Another method of animal slaughter is contaminating their food (prey). These animals die in a corner after consuming contaminated food after one or two days, and no one is aware of the location of their carcass, which causes environmental problems.

This behavior, on one hand, causes environmental problems and leads to the deterioration of human physical health, and on the other hand, it results in the decline of community mental health and hygiene (due to resorting to unethical methods for controlling animal populations).

One question that may arise for some is whether the method of sterilization is considered unethical and a violation of animal rights. Do you perform sterilization on all animals you capture, without exception?

Experiences in developed countries have shown that spaying and neutering is not only a humane and ethical approach, but also the most effective way to control the population of stray animals, such as dogs. In these countries, not only shelter officials and caretakers spay and neuter their dogs, but there are also projects for rescuing, sterilizing, and releasing stray dogs that have become accustomed to living in the outdoors. These countries have solved problems related to urban animals, such as the large number of dogs and the spread of diseases like rabies, by implementing long-term, comprehensive, and organized programs through spaying and vaccination. This method has controlled the population of these animals in a way that not only is there no need to kill them, but also killing dogs and cats in any way and in any institution is considered a crime in these countries. If you want to be part of the solution and put an end to the slaughter and suffering of dogs, spay or neuter your own

Every day, all of us – whether those who love animals or those who don’t get along with them – feel difficulties in dealing with them. In the streets, roads, highways, country roads, city parks, remote gardens, villages, pedestrian areas, mountain bases, and even on the mountain peaks where professional climbers struggle, we see them. Cats and dogs that become more and more unbelievable every day. All these animals have a few things in common: hunger, tiredness, being harassed, and sometimes anger and aggression.

We, as animal advocates, cannot understand or accept the logic and reasoning of those who believe that mass slaughter can control the increasing number of helpless animals, or the indifference of some towards these killings for various reasons. The global experience has shown that sterilization is the only humane solution for controlling the population of stray animals. Sterilization not only controls the number of animals and the problems that arise from their overpopulation, but also prevents many diseases. As you read this conversation, there are dogs and cats in pain and suffering, giving birth to children who will not have a better fate than themselves.

In addition to population control of stray animals (neutering), what other measures can be considered as providing services for homeless animals?

We must educate people and make them aware and informed. In fact, we must do a kind of cultural development. We must educate people so that those who do not want to continue caring for their animals do not abandon them in the city and instead take them to shelters. We must educate people so that those who keep dogs have them neutered. We must educate people to follow the correct time, place, and method for disposing of garbage; because garbage plays an important role in increasing the number of stray animals as a source of food for them. We must educate people to inform the relevant authorities if they see stray animals so that they can be transferred to shelters. Not being violent towards animals is also a very important point that we must encourage people to and make them aware of various forms of violence against animals; because some people unintentionally and unknowingly harm animals. For this purpose, using effective educational methods for different cultures and ages, as well as efforts from animal advocates, religious leaders, officials,

What plans do you have for the animals after they are transferred to the shelter?

One of the activities of the Animal Adoption Society is to provide animals to applicants free of charge. Instead of buying expensive dogs for guarding gardens, workshops, or yards, it is possible for individuals to receive their desired animal from a shelter. This not only improves the lives of the adopted animals, but also opens up space for new animals to be accepted at the shelter. The process of adoption includes evaluating the applicant’s suitability as a caregiver, determining the location for the animal’s care, and holding an informational session with the unit manager to discuss animal care principles. Monthly inspections of the animal and its place of care by the adoption unit inspector are also part of the adoption process.

What organizations and institutions are needed to collaborate in order to solve urban animal problems?

Governorate, municipality, district, health department, medical university, environmental organization, veterinary organization, veterinary faculty, non-governmental organizations, animal shelters, broadcasting organizations, and lawmakers.

What is the situation of homeless animals in Kerman? How is the statistics of homeless animals in Kerman?

Unfortunately, some recent events have occurred that have caused us great distress and concern. For example, despite one of the services of our organization being the collection and rescue of animals that enter factory and organization premises, we have recently received reports from people or employees of certain factories that indicate the collection of a pack of dogs from the premises of one of the factories and their fate being unknown. Another incident involves dogs that entered the premises of a university and were found dead and abandoned miles away behind a mountain. Additionally, a large number of dogs under the supervision of our organization (on a piece of land belonging to the city’s waste management department and given to us) have gone missing in the past two to three days. After that, the shelter was sealed off and we were not even allowed to check the cameras. This is very strange because even if we leave the shelter open, the dogs do not leave due to being fed there. We really do not know what has happened.

The statistics show that there are about 7,000 homeless dogs in Kerman. In the past year, we have held approximately 80 sessions with relevant authorities such as health, environment, provincial deputy governor for urban development, social affairs office, and municipality to discuss ethical and effective methods for controlling the animal population. Unfortunately, despite the awareness of all the respected managers about the issues, we have not seen any help or willingness from them to solve the problems.

Given that there is a shelter for homeless animals in Kerman, but the municipality, without considering the regulations and laws mentioned in the guidelines, separates mothers from their offspring and vice versa, causing harm to animals due to lack of proper training for rescue teams and placing animals with contagious diseases in the shelter alongside other animals instead of quarantining them. These actions can be considered as indirect slaughter of animals.

Unfortunately, the administrative system of the municipality also has a faulty cycle. When you submit your request to one person, they pass you on to the next person, and then to the next. The next person tells you to bring your proposal. They say they will take the proposal and tell you to go to the next person. In this cycle, we never get a response. We have sent several letters to the municipality and informed them of the solutions and assistance we can provide in controlling the population, but unfortunately, we have not received a positive response.

After the extensive efforts of animal supporters and the lack of response and attention from the Kerman municipality, and considering the recent situation of animals and the urgent need to address their situation, it was decided to make our voice heard through a gathering in front of the municipality. Unfortunately, on January 21, 2019, we announced a call for a gathering on February 3, 2019 in front of the municipality.

But in the meantime, another very heartbreaking and immoral incident occurred just one day before the protest. The story goes that on the second of Bahman month, coinciding with the visit of Mr. Jahangiri, the first deputy of the president, to several steel factories, through contacts with some citizens of Zarand and also several employees of the steel factory, we were informed of the presence of several dog carcasses and a large number of puppies five kilometers away from the factory and 20 meters from Imam Reza Road. Together with a reporter, some activists in the field of animals and the environment were dispatched to the scene. Unfortunately, at this location, 3 female dog carcasses were found, one of which was pregnant, and 15 puppies were present, some of which were still nursing from their dead mother, and others were abandoned in the desert. After rescuing the remaining puppies, on our way back to Kerman, a large number of crows and dogs caught our attention

Several employees of the steel factory have reported that they were told to collect the dogs from the factory before Mr. Jahangiri’s visit. It is the natural right of the factory owners to remove animals that have entered the factory in search of food and water and have caused problems. However, in any case, killing the dogs is a violation according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Interior and a crime has occurred. We are following up on this matter through legal channels.

Regarding the gathering, I must say that several special unit vehicles were stationed before our arrival. We were peacefully demanding a meeting with the mayor of Kerman, Mr. Mehran Alamzadeh, to report on recent events and request full and accurate supervision over the forces under the municipality’s supervision, as well as a re-presentation of the plan to control the animal population and organize the situation at the shameful shelter. Supporters gathered in front of the mayor’s building with signs that read “Human life depends on the environment and all creatures in this ecosystem”, “Where are the dogs that disappeared at night?”, and “The unknown fate of Kerman’s shelter dogs”.

Unfortunately, at first, they did not allow supporters to enter the municipality building, but eventually only Ms. Movafagh (the director of the Kerman Animal Protection Association) and I were given permission to enter. The Kerman mayor did not show up again and did not even give us a meeting time. The meeting was held with their representative, Mr. Saifollahi, and the previous discussions were repeated again. They said to bring your plan, we will take care of it. I said we have presented our plan three times so far and you have been working on it for almost a year. When will this work be completed? But we did not receive a clear answer. However, I hope Mr. Saifollahi takes a positive step in this regard and this time it is not just a show.

What suggestions does your proposal include?

The comprehensive plan includes a series of proposals for collaboration between the society and the municipality to control the population of animals in accordance with standard and ethical methods. Considering the society’s public nature and the need for financial support and facilities, collaboration between the municipality and the society is considered necessary. The society commits to fully controlling the population of stray dogs in Kerman within a maximum period of one and a half years, which will result in resolving the citizens’ problems related to this issue and preventing harm to animals. Otherwise, with the current situation, we will continue to face issues related to urban animals, causing harm to both citizens and animals for years to come.

Have you taken any legal action to follow up on your complaints and demands?

We have given power of attorney to a lawyer to follow up on the killing of dogs around the factory that I mentioned. We have identified the person who was responsible for suffocating the dogs and then abandoning them in the desert. Even in a phone call we had with the dog killer, this person admitted to killing the dogs and will continue to do so, claiming that he has been ordered to do so. In the van, we even saw wires that were tied around the dogs’ necks. This person easily and without fear or hiding any evidence, engages in dog killing, which is very concerning. We have strong evidence and documents to present to the court against this person and we will continue to pursue this matter seriously.

We also follow up on the memorandum of understanding with the municipality and the contract for the transfer of the shelter and the population control process to the association in a complete and ethical manner, with higher quality and speed, also through our lawyer.

When citizens see homeless animals on the streets or witness car accidents involving animals, what action should they take and what number should they call?

Citizens can contact the municipality (through the 137 system) to collect animals from the city streets, and when they witness accidents, animal abuse, and similar cases, they should contact the relevant associations and non-governmental organizations in their city (such as the Kerman Society for the Protection of Homeless Animals). Just as we memorize essential numbers such as fire department, emergency, police, etc., we should also remember the numbers of animal rights organizations; because witnessing accidents or animal abuse should prompt every citizen to have the correct reaction, and to have an appropriate response, they must acquire the necessary knowledge. By contacting the relevant organizations, we can play an important role in improving the lives of animals.

Please make your final remarks and request from the people and officials.

In general, it must be said that the need of any developing society is to respect not only the rights of humans, but also the nature and the rights of animals. Animals have a nervous system; they have consciousness and feelings. They have families and strive to protect their families. They have the right to life and existence. According to religious teachings, no one has the right to harm or even speak ill of an animal.

Our request from the people and officials is to behave and take responsibility towards animals in a way that future generations will remember and judge us positively.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.