IMPORTANT UPDATE.
The petition has now been adopted by a cross party group of MEPs and with the assistance of the Born Free Foundation has been converted into a motion to be presented to the EU Parliament and if adopted to the EU Commission.
It looks like the substantive aim of the petition - namely - to create a "ONE STOP SHOP" for animal welfare issues in the EU looks like it could be on its way to being realised.
We wish to thank Jacqueline Foster MEP and the Born Free Foundation for turning the voices of the petition into concrete action.
Over 130,000 people have signed the petition on the Care2 website calling on the EU to create a Directorate-General for Animal Welfare.
It has been an overwhelming experience for the members of the team watching the petition grow and reading the comments left by supporters. THANK YOU - to each and every one of you who has signed, and an additional thank you to those who took a moment to comment.
The Care2 petition website team have been amazing too, and have provided additional help, support and encouragement to promote the petition. They have gone over and above what was expected - with a particular thanks going to Kristina.
We also want to thank all the animal welfare charities and the other organisations who have helped to promote the petition. Please take a look at the SUPPORTERS page for further information and do visit their websites.
What next?
Some of you are angry - and quite right too! Some of you are saddened! Some want justice, others want action, some want politicians to display moral leadership. Some of you want to do more on a personal level.
This website is new - we will do our best to keep it updated but in the meantime - please use the icons at the top right of the page, or the "Contact" tab to join us on twitter or facebook or send us an email with your suggestions about who we should contact to support the petition.
Could you volunteer to be a champion for the petition in your country? If so - please send us an email (see contacts page).
The more people who join the cause - the more of a chance we will have of persuading the "wilfully deaf" EU politicians that democracy is alive and well and that it belongs to the people. The people who demand a Directorate-General for Animal Welfare.
It has been an overwhelming experience for the members of the team watching the petition grow and reading the comments left by supporters. THANK YOU - to each and every one of you who has signed, and an additional thank you to those who took a moment to comment.
The Care2 petition website team have been amazing too, and have provided additional help, support and encouragement to promote the petition. They have gone over and above what was expected - with a particular thanks going to Kristina.
We also want to thank all the animal welfare charities and the other organisations who have helped to promote the petition. Please take a look at the SUPPORTERS page for further information and do visit their websites.
What next?
Some of you are angry - and quite right too! Some of you are saddened! Some want justice, others want action, some want politicians to display moral leadership. Some of you want to do more on a personal level.
This website is new - we will do our best to keep it updated but in the meantime - please use the icons at the top right of the page, or the "Contact" tab to join us on twitter or facebook or send us an email with your suggestions about who we should contact to support the petition.
Could you volunteer to be a champion for the petition in your country? If so - please send us an email (see contacts page).
The more people who join the cause - the more of a chance we will have of persuading the "wilfully deaf" EU politicians that democracy is alive and well and that it belongs to the people. The people who demand a Directorate-General for Animal Welfare.
So you want to help! What can you do?
Any help you can offer of any-kind would be welcome. Here is a list of some ideas - you may want to do all, some or none of them. Please do whatever you feel comfortable doing - and by all means, think up some more!
Join us on twitter @lawyers4animals
Read the website and contribute to the blog page by commenting
Mention the petition on facebook or linkedIn etc - ask your friends to sign/tweet/comment on the blog etc.
Write to your government representative and ask them to sign the petition
Write to your MEP and ask them to sign the petition
Write to a local animal charity and ask them to support the petition by promoting it on social media to their supporters
Write to a celebrity
Write to a newspaper
Write to any politician with a relevant responsibility
Anything practical to get more signatures would be so very much appreciated.
Can you translate? (the web-page could be translated into other languages)
Do you have friends in other countries who could also do the above things?
Volunteer to become an in-country champion to promote the petition wherever you live.
Volunteer to be a member of the committee required to formally present the petition to the EU Commission
Just join the team and help us to do something positive for animals.
Any help you can offer of any-kind would be welcome. Here is a list of some ideas - you may want to do all, some or none of them. Please do whatever you feel comfortable doing - and by all means, think up some more!
Join us on twitter @lawyers4animals
Read the website and contribute to the blog page by commenting
Mention the petition on facebook or linkedIn etc - ask your friends to sign/tweet/comment on the blog etc.
Write to your government representative and ask them to sign the petition
Write to your MEP and ask them to sign the petition
Write to a local animal charity and ask them to support the petition by promoting it on social media to their supporters
Write to a celebrity
Write to a newspaper
Write to any politician with a relevant responsibility
Anything practical to get more signatures would be so very much appreciated.
Can you translate? (the web-page could be translated into other languages)
Do you have friends in other countries who could also do the above things?
Volunteer to become an in-country champion to promote the petition wherever you live.
Volunteer to be a member of the committee required to formally present the petition to the EU Commission
Just join the team and help us to do something positive for animals.