With the growing scientific evidence about the benefits of living with animals, the human-animal bond has ceased to be an emotional concept to become a matter of public health and social welfare. More and more studies, institutional campaigns and public policies that recognize their importance are more, especially in countries with a high population of pets such as Spain.
Now, a new European level has been taken with the publication of the ‘Manual about the human-animal bond ‘presented in Brussels by three of the most influential organizations in the veterinary field: La Fadva (European Federation of Veterinarians of Company Animals), the FVE (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe) and the Veterinary Pharmacist Zoetis. It has also collaborated in its Habri content, the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, based in Washington, United States.
The document, oriented to legislators, politicians, professional associations and private entities, seeks to promote a coexistence more inclusive, healthy and sustainable with animals Company. And he does it by contributing practical examples, legislative proposals and recommendations that have the need to integrate family animals, and those who live with them, in all aspects of everyday life: from access to housing to the preparation of evacuation protocols for natural disasters.
Focus on health, inclusion and prevention
The manual puts on the table three large areas of action. On the one hand, it underlines the importance of eliminating structural barriers that hinder responsible for pets, such as Restrictions for access to rentals, public spaces or transportation. It also advocates a reinforcement of veterinary care, both in accessibility and quality, and for the promotion of animal medicine innovation. Finally, it raises the need to integrate company animals into the framework ‘a single health’ (One Health), which connects human, animal and environmental health.
Although the report has an international vocation, many of its proposals find echo in the current debates that Spain is going through: the shortage of rental housing Pet-Friendlythe economic difficulties to pay for veterinary care, or the lack of preparation in evacuation plans that include animals in emergency situations.
A call to political action
From promoting organizations it insists that this document should not be on wet paper. “Science has shown that the link between humans and animals is a key factor in improving social welfare. If we promote global actions to support this link, we can ensure that both pets and people receive care and attention they deserve,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, executive vice president of corporate issues in Zoetis, in the press release.
Along the same lines, Nancy of Bryne, executive director of the FVE, recalled that veterinarians play an essential role in detecting potential risks and proposing solutions so that no animal is behind. Through concrete measures, such as the reinforcement of the Veterinary Primary Care Or the official recognition of the affective bond between animals and people, it seeks to create a more prepared, empathic and healthy European society.
To read the manual on the human-animal bond: best practices to promote global initiatives and policies that benefit human and animal health, in PDF and English language, You can click here.