October 13th, 2009: speech by the acting Governor at the opening of the

Ladies and gentlemen,

It would seem that everyone and everything on Curaçao is celebrating a 60th anniversary these days. Let me assure you, however, that I am not! It’s just that, last year, the Netherlands Antilles celebrated its 60th year as a country. At the same time, we also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Advisory Council, which was followed by the 60th anniversary of the Police Force and possibly a number of other organisations as well, which have temporarily slipped my mind.

And now we are congratulating a new sixty-year-old: the Curaçao Society for the Protection of Animals. This is in itself a happy occasion that merits a celebration, but it is made even more special because of the noble work done every day by the Society’s staff and volunteers, in the interests of animals. At the animal shelter, where dogs and cats are lovingly cared for. In the animal ambulance, which ferries injured and abused animals to and from the vet. But the Society also goes to schools and communities to tell people, especially children, how to care for their pets. And it has a sterilisation programme which neuters or spays more than 1500 animals a year. So that the heartbreaking sight of neglected and sick strays roaming the streets may become a thing of the past. And finally, I must mention the sad but necessary job of ending animals’ suffering by putting them to sleep. Though, on a brighter note, fewer animals are being put down every year.

In appreciation for all this good work, which is carried out with tireless devotion, the Governor last year decided to become patron of the Society.

It is vital to raise public awareness about the importance of caring well for animals and sterilising them. These messages are universally important, but need to be emphasised on Curaçao, because as Mr Brandt has told us, there is still a lot to be done here in this regard. So I am pleased that the Society has decided to organise an educational photo exhibition, ‘Animals in Focus’, by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), supplemented with local photos. Some of the images are nice to look at, others make you feel miserable. Just like photo series of people. But then, animals do seem almost human sometimes. To underscore this, the WSPA will petition the United Nations to draw up a Universal Declaration on Animal Rights, like the universal declarations that already exist on human rights and the rights of the child. The WSPA hopes to collect 10 million signatures. Curaçao won’t be able to supply that many, but we can contribute our share.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to end with a fitting passage from The Brothers Karamázov by Dostoyevsky:

‘Love animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled. Do not trouble the joy, don’t harass them, don’t deprive them of their happiness, don’t work against God’s intent.’

I congratulate the Curaçao Society for the Protection of Animals on its 60th anniversary. Long may it continue its good and valuable work.

I now declare the ‘Animals in Focus’ exhibition open.