Global response to ANIMALS 24-7 debut

            ANIMALS 24-7 officially launched at 2:27 a.m. on April 12,  2014.  Reader response began arriving from around the world just nine minutes later.

From India:

Great effort,  Merritt!  All my best wishes,  as always.

––Debasis Chakrabarti,  founder

Compassionate Crusaders Trust,  Kolkata,  India

<animalcrusader@gmail.com>

Editor’s note:

            Debasis Chakrabarti’s 2003 essay “How no-kill dog control came to Kolkata,  India” has helped directors of neuter/return programs around the world to effectively balance the needs of animals with the concerns of humans. 

Here it is again:  http://www.animals24-7.org/2003/06/15/how-no-kill-do…-kolkata-india/

From Saudi Arabia:

Great job and congratulations on this new initiative to serve the humane cause.  The article “How many other animals did pit bulls kill last year?” is great.  It should be given better publicity.  I think it could have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Though I don’t keep dogs as pets,  they do have several benefits to the community.  However, pit bulls are more or less like terrorists on four legs.  The numbers of people killed by pit bulls,  as you have reported,  is really alarming.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),  true to his merciful nature,  taught us to be kind to animals––a prostitute was forgiven and guaranteed paradise because she helped a thirsty dog––but dogs like these should not be allowed to threaten human lives. Hopefully,  you can find means to control the pit bull menace.

––Shamsudeen Fagbo,  DVM, MSc,

Coordinator,  zoonotic diseases

Ministry of Health,  Riyadh,  Saudi Arabia

 Editor’s note:

            Internationally known for many contributions to the understanding of zoonotic diseases,  Shamsudeen Fagbo received the 2001 ProMED-Mail Award for Excellence in Outbreak Reporting on the Internet for his work on Rift Valley Fever,  an tick-borne illness afflicting hooved animals in both North and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Also of note are Fagbo’s observations pertaining to zoonotic diseases transmitted by eating dogs: http://www.animals24-7.org/2009/05/15/rabies-risk-is…ting-dogs-cats/.

From Hong Kong:

Congratulations on your new great leap forward,  and very best of luck and good wishes from us all.

––Jill Robinson,  MBE,  Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation,  Hong Kong

<www.animalsasia.org> 

Editor’s note:

            A few highlights of Jill Robinson’s outstanding work,  and that of the Animals Asia Foundation,  may be seen at:  http://www.animals24-7.org/2013/01/16/animals-asia-foundation-saves-vietnam-bear-rescue-centre-and-halts-zimbabwechina-baby-elephant-deal-in-same-week/.

From Brazil:

Congratulations!  Great site.  “Why we cannot adopt our way out of shelter killing” is encyclopedic and eye-opening.

––Jack Woodall,  Director,  Nucleus for the Investigation of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center for Health Sciences

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro,  Brazil

 Editor’s note:

            Jack Woodall was among the cofounders of both ProMED-Mail and the One Health Initiative.  Debuting in 2004,  ProMed is short for “Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases,”   contributing immeasurably to reducing both animal and human suffering by promoting prompt identification of disease outbreaks and appropriate response.  The One Health Initiative encourages recognition that animal and human health are a continuum.  Woodall himself was surprised with the 2004 ProMED-Mail Award for Excellence in Outbreak Reporting on the Internet.

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www.animals24-7.org/donate/