Respect for the animal world goes hand in hand with respect for nature, and thus for the planet itself. On the evolutionary scale, animals are lower than human beings and this makes us responsible for their welfare. Humans are solely responsible for whether this planet will continue to be habitable, and this requires maintaining a balance of respect for what surrounds us. Creating awareness and sensitivity for their lives should be part of our education. To respect them, it is not necessary to live with them under the same roof.

Thanks to digital communication, which is often realized in real time, there are known cases of abuse of animals that, paradoxically, come from their owners, who should be their greatest protectors. Animal abuse is a detector of social violence. Having a pet is a voluntary obligation. This implies not only having it “for the pleasure of its presence”, but also assuming the obligation of its maintenance and care; this includes, among other things: feeding, vaccinations, sterilization, occasional visits to the vet, protection and alternative care in the absence of the owner. If we cannot face this responsibility, it is better not to have animals with us.

Abandonment, sale and uncontrolled breeding of pets are also forms of abuse. Polluting the waters of estuaries, rivers or the sea with garbage and all kinds of waste is an attack on the natural habitat of wild animals. The same is happening with the felling of trees and disproportionate urban growth without environmental awareness. We should be more aware of the damage that our actions cause to the environment and other animals, ourselves and our offspring.

The Animal Welfare Administration is a department belonging to the municipality of Guayaquil, whose functions are detailed on its website and include the inventory of domestic animals, the implementation of annual programs of preventive and curative veterinary medical treatments, sterilization campaigns, the implementation of educational projects and raising awareness of animal welfare, among others. It has been going on for several years. The appointment of Eliane Molineros as the new director of this department creates great expectations within the animal protection community. Various foundations have expressed their satisfaction with this appointment. Elian’s long career as a dedicated veterinarian and director of Fundación Proyecto Sacha (wildlife protector) is her best cover letter. A difficult task awaits you, because there is a lot to do. Creating a “universal showcase” on the website of the Municipality is a success. It allows citizens to submit requests on various issues related to the city and even complaints about animal abuse. It is expected, therefore, to maintain two-way communication with citizens, which enables the improvement of social coexistence and contributes to the care of our fauna and environment. (OR)