ARMANDO SANTANA, COUNCILLOR FOR ANIMAL WELFARE AT THE CABILDOS OF LANZAROTE
On 19th and 20th September, Lanzarote will host the inaugural Congress of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians (ATVs) at the Cabildo.
This pioneering meeting will bring together professionals who will share knowledge and experiences with a single aim: to improve the lives of animals. As the Councillor for Animal Welfare, I am proud to support this congress, but it is also a deeply personal matter for me. At home, we live with three adopted cats, each with their own health issues.
Witnessing how they have overcome challenges thanks to our love, patience, and, above all, the essential support of veterinarians and technicians has been a constant source of motivation. Each recovery serves as a reminder that adopting a pet is an act of responsibility and love, and that with the right assistance, we can transform the lives of vulnerable animals.
Thus, every time I speak about animal welfare, I also think of them and the importance of promoting adoption over purchasing pets.
Congress as a Support Network
This congress is, in fact, a tool to strengthen that support network. It will allow our professionals to update their knowledge on essential clinical topics, from nutrition and ophthalmology to radiology and dermatology, and also to reflect on current challenges such as the ethical management of feral cat colonies or the use of new technologies in veterinary practice.
My commitment to animals stems from personal experience and is reinforced by public responsibility. I am convinced that Lanzarote must be a benchmark in the Canary Islands for animal protection and care, and this congress is a vital step towards that goal.
For when we talk about animal welfare, we also discuss humanity, values, and the society we wish to build.
