Morocco & the World Cup
Morocco, the FIFA World Cup - and 3 million dogs
| So I will say straight up that I'm not a big football fan. OK, I got excited last time when England got to the semi-finals, but I'm not a fan as such. The next World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain in 2030. But this time is different. I am absolutely horrified about the lead up to the World Cup and what is happening in Morocco. The International Animal Coalition consists of 83 international animal welfare and protection organisations and networks worldwide. They unite when there are issues of major concern affecting the welfare and protection of animals - frequently as a result of pleas for assistance from groups in a country. Amongst the IAC members in the UK, there's
You can see the full list here. and they have a report you can read in full here. Having introduced the IAWPC, let's look at the situation in Morocco. The IAC say that 300,000 dogs are killed every year in Morocco. Since it was announced that Morocco would co-host the World Cup, the killings have increased. Back in 2022, a judge convicted and fined the Governor of the Nador province of the killing of stray dogs as part of a municipal campaign. The judge described this act as uncivlised and done in brutal ways. He stressed that these practices go back to ancient times and are no longer acceptable. Crucially, he continued: Developed societies are not measured by how they treat humans only, but also how they treat animals,” and he further stressed “that such practices do not align with Islamic recommendations”. He also stressed that we need to treat animals with “compassion and kindness.” Nonetheless, the killing continues. The brutality is horrendous. People who protest are threatened and intimidated. Children often see the killings, which include shooting (often not resulting in the killing with the shot, leaving the animal to suffer), poisoning and being caught with tong-like tools. These cause pain and the animals are then thrown into the vehicles with other animals, and taken to be inhumanely killed at facilities. And, Morocco, by the way, the UNCRC issued a General Comment on the Rights of the Child which states quite clearly: “Children must be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence, such as domestic violence or violence inflicted on animals”. The IAWPC has written to the UNCRC. It's urging them to get involved and take urgent action to stop these killings. It says:
The International Animal Coalition – IAWPC says it "will continue to work tirelessly to Stop the Dog Killing and Protect Morocco’s Children. We are prepared to Help the Government introduce a ‘Humane Dog Management Programme’ - once the Killing stops." So what can we all do about it? The IAWPC has a petition we can all sign. It calls on the Prime Minister of Morocco to end the killing of dogs on the streets and beaches of Morocco. Please sign the petition here. PETA also has a petition calling on the killing to stop which you can sign here. The IAWPC says we can all make Morocco a better place for dogs and cats to live. Find out about this here. There IS another way! Now, the IAWPC have created a mascot, and an awareness campaign with it, called Save Atlas. Atlas is a fictional football mascot - friendly, loyal, someone football fans can recognise immediately. His story ends with the sound of a gunshot. And that's the whole point. Dogs are friendly, loyal and loving - and Morocco is finishing that off with a gunshot, a poisoning or other methods. There's a Save Atlas petition to the FIFA Secretary General, called The International Animal Coalition is calling on FIFA to demand Morocco stop killing dogs for the World CupFootball should be a force for GOOD, not killing! The idea behind the Save Atlas campaign is to make football worldwide pay attention to what is happening.
Personally, I won't be going to visit Morocco while the killing is going on. Here are some of the charities working to help dogs and cats in Morocco. As in so many places, animal charities in Morocco are going through a really hard time at the moment, trying to save as many animals as they can. Very unusually for this site, some of them may not be registered charities as such, so please take a look at their websites and social media accounts thoroughly. Beldi Dog Rescue in the Rif Mountains Animal rescue, medical care, finding forever homes, providing love, vaccinating and neutering. You can help by adopting, donating, sponsoring and volunteering. SARA Morocco (originally Association Le Coeur sur la Patte - CSPA) was created in response to the dire conditions of street animals in Morocco. Rescue operations, saving animals who are victims of traffic accidents, neglect or abuse, by providing immediate medical care and a safe haven; rehabilitation, bringing animals back to health, adoptions (finding homes for animals) and TNVR (vaccinating, neutering, to combat disease and prevent overpopulation). You can sponsor, donate and adopt. Help the Street Animals of Morocco Volunteer, fundraise, buy a gift for an animal, subscribe and keep up to date! Their aim is to create a sustainable and healthy street cat and dog population in and around Essaouira, Morocco. By sterilising, treating and vaccinating against Rabies we not only give the animals a better quality of life, we offer peace of mind to a local community where the threat of Rabies is very real. SFT ANIMAL SANCTUARY, Tangier They say that every year, thousands of dogs are killed because of a fear of rabies and to try to control the stray population. They know there is one solution: Treat, Neuter, Vaccination and Tag (TNR) and they call this Project Hayat, meaning ‘LIFE’ is the solution. After treating, neutering and vaccinating the dogs, they are identified with a yellow tag so everyone knows they are not a danger to the community. You can help by donating, sponsoring, fundraising, volunteering and donating goods – and corporates, you can sponsor! Refuge Mektub (formerly Morocco Animal Aid), Agadir, Souss-Massa Refuge Mektub was founded in 2015, and it helps the street animals of Morocco. It began with a group of volunteers caring for street dogs in Taghazout, and now it’s a registered French charity running shelters in Morocco and France. They rescue and rehabilitate animals, and they run adoption and foster programmes, and also have a documentary, a shop, flight volunteer and sponsorship programmes. They also speak out against the violence towards street animals in Morocco and work to raise awareness of and advocate for humane alternatives to people just targeting and killing street animals They have about 600 animals in their care at any time, and their main focus is on the dogs and cats in Morocco. This is a grassroots effort inspired by the rescue of Zahra, a tiny ginger kitten they met during a trip to the Agafay Desert. She appeared outside their tent every day, barely surviving – but she received the treatment she needed and was eventually brought to the USA. Her rescue inspired something bigger! Her rescue inspired The Zahra TNVR Initiative: by humane trapping, neutering, vaccinating and returning, the initiative can support community cats. These efforts reduces their suffering, and stabilises the cat populations. It also means safer conditions for both cats and people. SPA du Maroc (Rabat & Casablanca) They are also working to eliminate practices that can cause farm animals suffering and distress, by lobbying the government, consulting with farm groups and educating consumers. The charity works to find loving homes for the homeless animals of Marrakech. You can help by volunteering, donating and adopting. The inspiring lady who runs it cares for 200 animals practically on her own. Grooming, feeding, providing medical care and cleaning up all need to be done, mostly by the owner. They have also spayed and neutered hundreds of animals to help control the street animal population. Previously known as SPANA, they also operate in Morocco, helping working animals such as horses, donkeys and mules. | ||
| Please spread awareness of this campaign. Football is, as the IAWPC says, the biggest sport in the world. We need to raise awareness and let football clubs, players and supporters know what is happening to dogs in Morocco and ask them to help us stand up for our four legged friends. We need to score for the dogs and cats of Morocco, and score BIG. |