KRALENDIJK — Bonaire is set to launch a pilot programme in which human and animal welfare will be addressed jointly at neighbourhood level. The project focuses on the early identification of problems and providing practical support to residents.
Initiator Norbert Tadema, who has been committed to improving animal welfare — and dog welfare in particular — for many years, emphasises that a clear relationship exists between poverty and animal welfare. For this reason, a neighbourhood-based approach has been chosen, aimed at tackling problems as close to the source as possible.
Deputy Island Councillor Timoteo Silberie, who holds the animal welfare portfolio, has granted approval for the pilot. Funding has been made available to enable visible neighbourhood teams to support residents with advice on responsible pet ownership, legislation and regulations, and the importance of spaying and neutering.
The pilot also focuses on preventing neglect and gaining a better understanding of the specific challenges in various neighbourhoods. This will allow for more targeted support and the development of appropriate solutions.
Years of dedication from organisations and volunteers
Tadema expresses his appreciation for the various organisations and volunteers who have been committed to animal welfare on Bonaire for many years. The pilot builds on this existing engagement and is intended as a structural reinforcement of the neighbourhood-level approach.
