MUHANAD AL NIDAWI - DOHA There is need for government to enact a law to regulate the activities of animal welfare societies in the country, a visiting German expert has said.

Addressing a discussion session at the Animal Wealth Department here on Sunday, animal welfare consultant to the Ministry of Health and Education in Hamburg Prof Safwat Hassan Ali said, “The required law would assist in registering the animal welfare societies in Qatar, which would enable a better supervision of them and pave the way for the provision of financial aid from the government”.

Commenting on his visits to stray animals’ shelters, Prof Ali pointed to the low level of attention given to general cleanliness and sanitation at those shelters, in addition to the need to provide veterinary supervision.

During his five day visit to Qatar, Prof Ali made an evaluation of the situation of stray and pet animals which he would present as a report to the animal wealth department and other concerned authorities in the country.

Establishing a pioneering veterinary centre which includes a college for veterinary sciences under the auspices of Qatar Foundation, establishing government funded stray animals’ shelters, expanding cats’ control unit of the department, utilising the net to link animal wealth department sections and units, expanding the Doha Zoo and equipping veterinary clinics with the latest equipment were among the many recommendations Prof Ali is supposed to include in his report.

Director of Animal Wealth Department Dr Qasim al Qahtani appreciated the recommendations of Prof Ali, noting the need for additional attention and care for stray and pet animals.