To The Minister of Agriculture, Ministry of Interior affairs, We, the undersigned, wish to express our outrage, deepest sorrow and utter contempt for the inhumane slaughtering and poisoning campaign you have authorized as a means of controlling the dog and cat population on the streets of Egypt. During our visit in Egypt today May 11, 2007 we witnessed and photographed police officers shooting peaceful stray dogs on the streets of Cairo in broad daylight. The officers claim that shooting and poisoning were common practices and are authorized by Egypt\'s Minister of Agriculture (responsible for veterinary standards). We are asking you respectfully to end this cruel massacre by unauthorizing these massive shootings and poisoning. We ask that animal welfare laws in place be enforced and making it illegal to kill any animal randomly and at will. We urge you to work with local shelters in your country in implementing a more humane method of control. Widely used and successful is the (TNR) trap-neuter-immunize-release initiative. Dogs and cats are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and suffering. Many are saved off the streets and adopted off to loving homes in Egypt and Europe adjusting well amongst society. Culture does not justify cruelty. Egypt is changing, killing and poisoning companion animals has no place in modern society. The solution is NOT poisoning and shooting animals on the street. It is cruel and abhorrent, and further it is not even an effective means of reducing the street population. Egypt is under the world\'s spotlight. Its barbaric practices of animal cruelty must cease immediately. Please listen to the people, put this old fashioned practise alongside cannibalism and slavery, in the history books. Allow Egypt to internationally lead the way with its modern forward thinking approach. **UPDATE: Today May, 14, 2007. An american named Andrea had her dogs shot and killed on the street of Cairo early this morning. Others strays were also killed. We were told by the police not to call and complain and it will be their mission now to keep shooting the dogs! WE NEED HELP THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT STOP THIS SLAUGHTER!! **TODAY THE GOVERNMENT SHOWED THEIR TRUE FACES!! May 21, 2007, six puppies were poisoned in the Mohandasine part of Cairo. Authorities now have resorted to \"sneaking\" around at night to continue this slaughter. Approximately 12 midnight, Mona from SPARE ran out to try and save the last 2 still alive but suffering slowly. The mother\'s whereabouts is unknown. After the government just recently agreeing to stop the masacres and resort to the DONATIONS of a TNR program they have lied to the people and now commit their crimes at night instead of broad daylight. The Minister of Interior Affairs is responsible for the poisonings and the puppies reside in his area of residence!!! ***UPDATE**** SEPTEMBER 18,2007 After what we thought had been a successful campaign and that the strays in Egypt were safe again, we sadly heard that the nightmare had started all over again. Last week we received appalling news about the sad destiny of many homeless dogs in Ghizah, where several were cruelly shot dead in the middle of the street before the eyes of many people who did absolutely nothing to stop this and the worst part is that those killings were performed by a veterinarian, by someone who took an oath to save their lives, Dr Abdallah Badr, and who also happens to be the chief veterinarian of Ghizah Department. This is very serious because it means that the whole world heard lies upon lies, the government promised to start massive spay / neuter programs to control pet overpopulation and the only idea they have had in mind has been to launch another inexcusable massacre, eliminating those poor animals in the most cowardly and savage way. It is beyond our comprehension that a nation that once was the centre of the known world, and respectful of other sentient beings, has fallen so deep into the realm of ignorance. What is it with you people Please help and circulate, *****Two months ago, animal welfare***** organizations in Egypt, and animal lovers received a generous offer from Marchig trust for the spay/neutre/release program on basis that we submit a good plan and visibility study. A couple of days after receiving this proposal Mr. Ahmed El Sherbiny (Animal Friends) contacted the Giza Governorate and signed an agreement with them to start the program before setting basis for approval from Marchig trust ******Today we read as a title in the number one Governmental Newspaper: SOS 29 Sept 2007 Heading in the #1 Egyptian Newspaper Al Ahram: ABDALLA BADR: SHOOTING DOGS WILL RE-START EFFECTIVE TODAY AL AHRAM 29 SEPT 2007 The heading at Al Ahram the #1 Egyptian Newspaper (Governmental) Abdallah Badr in charge of Giza Facilities: SORRY BRIDGET BARDOT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS DID NOT COMMIT TO THE SPAY NEUTRE PROGRAM SUBMITTED WITH THE HELP OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. WE IN GIZA GOVERNORATE WILL NO LONGER KEEP OUR DEAL AND WILL RE-START THE SHOOTING STREET DOGS EFFECTIVE TODAY. There is a march at the Embassy of Egypt in OTTAWA Canada October 20 2007 at 12 pm to protest the shootings, if you can make it please attend we need all the support to end this fast. Details are available: email at [email protected] or call (519)936-0536 ************************************** Minister of Agricutlure Mr. Amin Abaza e-mail: [email protected] Prime Minister - Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud Mohammed Nazif Address Magles El Shaab St., Kasr El Aini St.Cairo Phone no. (202) 7958014/35/36 Fax (202) 7356449 - 7958016 Website http://www.cabinet.gov.eg E-mail [email protected] Ministry of Tourism Minister Mr. Mohamed Zohair Mohamed Wahid Garana Address 32 Ramsis St. El Abassia Square. Phone no. 6828435 Fax 6859463 Website http://www.egypttourism.org E-mail [email protected] Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Ahmed Ali Ahmed Abou Elgheit Address Masbero-Kornish El Nile St.