During a meeting on food safety, Rama emphasized the need to make businesses aware regarding this process.

“Joining the EU offers an unprecedented, transformative opportunity, but only for economies prepared to embrace rapid, structural modernization,” said Rama.

The prime minister stressed that the dairy farmer who fails to prepare for future standards today, prepares to close their gates tomorrow.

“The EU Commission conducted a thorough inspection of our animal by-product chain, outlining necessary follow-up measures and compliance tasks”, said Rama.

According to him, meeting the standards requires interaction with 900 local units in Albania. /j.p/p.s./

Two weeks ago, Alma lost Picasso, her 3-and-a-half-year-old Dalmatian, after consuming food poisoned with organic phosphorus in “Skanderbeg” square in Tirana downtown. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 31, in the grassy area behind the monument, an area where children also play during the day.

“Picasso found something on the ground and after a few minutes he started shaking, foaming at the mouth… everything happened so quickly. I rushed him to the animal hospital, but he did not survive. The doctors confirmed severe poisoning with organic phosphorus,” said Ismailaja.

She said that she suffered the consequences emotionally.

“I suffered a big emotional trauma. I sought psychological help. Picasso was part of my family. No one experiences the loss of a beloved animal lightly.”

But, what is most disturbing is the indifference surrounding these events. It is painful to see how many similar cases happen every day. The poison is thrown at stray animals, while domestic animals are also becoming victims. But, their lives are worth the same. Anyone who sees it differently is part of the problem.

This is not a blow to those who love animals—it is a matter of public health and morals.

Therefore, animal protection organizations hold a protest against poisoning and violence against them in “Skanderbeg” square on Thursday, at 11:00.

We cannot accept cruelty being normalized. This affects everyone. Only by standing together can we show that life – every life – must be protected. /p.s./

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Arjan Jaupllari said that these two draft laws focus on food safety and establish rules and rigorous control for animal diseases that can spread to humans and for plant health, their protection from pests and diseases.

Jaupllari noted that Albania aims for EU membership and must follow European standards in the production and safety of products, which, as he put it, “starts by approximating animal and plant health regulations with those of the EU”.

“Food safety and veterinary services are part of chapters 11 and 12 of the EU. Therefore, these laws will be a strong basis on which we will rely in the negotiation process”, he emphasized.

According to him, the draft law “On Animal Health” supports the livestock and food production sectors in the country in terms of sustainable competitiveness, job growth, investment and export of live animals and animal products. Jaupllari said that the law on animal health and the law on plant protection aim not only to guarantee the quality of production, but also to protect the environment. /j.p/p.s./

The National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority said that currently no cases of Plague of Small Ruminants (disease that is causing damage in Greece and Romania) have been detected.

The cases diagnosed with Brucellosis and Tuberculosis are sporadic and have been treated according to the legislation in force. So, there is no room for panic.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority and the National Food Authority in cooperation with other institutions are closely following the whole situation, and measures have been taken to: stop the import of animals from countries where the disease has appeared”, said the National Veterinary Authority.

Also, National Food Authority inspectors at the Border Crossing Points will in any case be joined by control veterinarians of the Veterinary Service to verify the condition of the animals. In the meantime, there is established communication with the authorities of the municipalities bordering Greece to cooperate with the veterinary service. /a.f/p.s./

“Regarding a video posted in the social media in which a citizen is shown mistreating several animals in an elevator, we clarify that: Police Station Services No. 3, immediately after the release of the footage, organized the work to identify and bring to legal responsibility the citizen who appears in the video,” the Police reported.

“Specialists for Investigating Crimes of the Police Station No. 3 identified and prosecuted citizen Gera Kulla, 51 years old, resident in Tirana. The procedural materials for this case were sent to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance for further action, for the criminal offense of “Maltreatment of an animal”, said the Police.

The Tirana Police also clarified that in cooperation with the Municipality of Tirana, the mistreated animals were sent into the care of an association for the protection of animals./p.s./

“Animals are also road users, who need our help to feel safe! Their collision can also endanger coming out of the road with a vehicle”, wrote Gonxhja in the social media.

Gonxhja called attention to the drivers to moderate the speed and look carefully for the presence of animals on the road.

“Wait until they cross the road and continue your journey! The safety of animals on the road is up to you. Take care of them, while also taking care of yourself”, wrote Gonxhja./p.s./

The “shelter” will operate according to the concept of a “permanent home” for stray dogs, but also as a veterinary center, where there will be carried out sterilization, vaccination and registration processes, and then their adoption by animal lovers.

“In recent years, we have treated 6,000 dogs in street situations; they were vaccinated and received medical care, and then were adopted. Of course, now that we have a more dignified space, this process takes place in better conditions, but it also creates an opportunity to invite people to see them, to encourage them to connect them with the animal world, especially children. It can also serve future veterinary students or those who want to create a small business as caretakers of four-legged friends”, said Veliaj.

The Consumer Protection Agency, in cooperation with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, will also train students of this school as “guardians” for the puppies.

“We can prepare a course, initially with a few students, and later expand and improve it more”, said Rezart Postoli, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, who also had a call for young people.

“I invite you to choose the subject of Veterinary Medicine, as it is a program that offers many opportunities thanks to these serious, important investments made by the municipality, but also by other institutions that are responsible precisely for welfare, animal health and food safety” , he said.

This center is the finalization of the project started years ago with the process of sterilization, vaccination and registration of stray dogs in the city of Tirana./r.e/p.s./

The stairs of Tirana Amphitheater were filled with fans of the legendary group “The Animal and Friends” who performed rock ‘n’ roll and R&B music.

Part of the band was also John Steel, the band’s legendary drummer, now 80, who has played with the band since 1963. Steel is the only member of the band since its creation while the other members joined The Animals later.

“The Animals” have been one of the most successful and long-lived English bands. This year coincides with the 60th anniversary of its foundation.

The concert was realized under the auspices of Tirana City Hall and Mayor Erion Veliaj. /j.p/p.s./

Thus, at “Shallvare” street in Tirana, there is a pet shop.

There one can notice the miserable condition of the puppies. In an extremely small space of the shop, four puppies look weak, while their water and food bowls are empty and even upside down. The hygiene-sanitary conditions of the shop leave much to be desired.

We talked to the owner of the shop on the phone and she told us that, “There are 6 puppies aged 2-3 months imported from Serbia in the shop”.

“Dogs are vaccinated and have the appropriate certificates,” she said, adding that she provides them with water and food all the time given that they are small and would be rather harsh to give them food on fixed time.

But, in fact, the photos show a different reality. The owner of the shop has locked them inside, leaving the puppies in danger of survival.

The passers-by have also noticed the fact. They have made public the fact on social media; they have also shared photos showing the dogs’ life there, images that are becoming more and more present for the public.

We also addressed the case in question to the Tirana Veterinary Service Agency.

Kati Margariti, head of the animal health sector, told ATA, that, “As soon as such cases are officially reported in writing or on the e-Albania portal, we address the issue to the National Veterinary Authority, which immediately intervenes with its inspectors to control the situation ”.

“Veterinary inspectors check the health of animals, vaccine documents, premises (cages) where dogs stay and hygiene-sanitary conditions,” said Margariti, as she announced that for every violation the Veterinary Service Agency stipulates administrative measures under applicable law.

The Veterinary Service explained that the operation of these businesses is regulated by law that defines the criteria and standards that these businesses must meet for pets regarding their welfare and protection.

The control and monitoring for the welfare of pets, is a new jurisdiction addressed earlier this year. In this context, the Veterinary Service is in the phase of tightening measures and sanctions for the protection of health and welfare of pets.

Businesses operating in this sector are automatically licensed to conduct this venture after meeting some of the basic principles of protection and welfare of the animals, but veterinary inspectors are always ready to act in every case of having a report on pet violations or their bad treatment./p.s./