The Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) continues the “Castrate-Vaccinate-Let Live” project, with the support of the EMU Animal Welfare Club and volunteer vets. The main aim of the project is to increase the life quality of stray or abandoned cats and dogs. The project doesn’t send the animals to shelters but allows them to remain on campus after being castrated and identified via yellow tags placed on their ears. The project that includes many academicians, personnel and students aims to protect the animal community.
In February 2013, a protocol was signed between the EMU Rector’s Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The protocol involved volunteers from EMU and the Famagusta Veterinary Department. The protocol was signed as a reaction to the long term problem the EMU campus faced. The campus was used as a spot to abandon animals and therefore the population of stray animals on campus was rising. To prevent possible problems the castration, vaccination, treatment and tagging of animals was carried out by the Famagusta Veterinary Department. To this day, 130 male and female dogs have been sterilized and left on campus. The post castration care is given to the animals by EMU volunteers and the Animal Welfare Club. Interior and exterior parasites are treated periodically. Left-over food from EMU dining halls is taken to specially created food and water drop off-points. Castrated animals become part of EMU after they are recorded and given a name.
Fayka Giresun, executive of the Castrate-Vaccinate-Let Live project and consultant to the Animal Welfare Club provided extensive information about the project. Giresun noted that as a result of the support received from the academic staff, personnel and students, the project provides a better alternative to isolating animals by sending them to shelters. Giresun called this project a very important social responsibility project before going on to state that some of the castrated animals also get adopted. Giresun concluded by underlining the fact that EMU is an animal friendly university that values every animal’s right to live.
