Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) maintains its place on the United Kingdom based higher education ranking board Times Higher Education (THE) 2018 List by featuring amongst the top 601-800 world universities. The university is also standing out with its social responsibility projects.
The Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) has completed its fifth year of the “Neuter-Vaccinate-Let Live” project. The project commenced with a protocol signed between the EMU Rector’s Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The main aim of the project is to increase the life quality of stray or abandoned cats and dogs. The project doesn’t send the animals to shelters but allows them to remain on campus after being neutered and identified via yellow tags placed on their ears. The project has attracted the participation of many academicians, personnel and students.
To this day, over 200 male and female dogs have been neutered, sterilized and registered. The neutering, vaccination, treatment and tagging procedures of animals are carried out by the Famagusta Veterinary Department. The transfer of animals is taken care of by the EMU Security Affairs Unit. The post castration care is given to the animals by EMU volunteers and the Animal Welfare Club. Interior and exterior parasites are treated periodically. Left-over food from EMU dining halls is taken to specially created food and water drop off-points. Neutered animals have become a part of EMU after they are recorded and given a name.
EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. M. Yaşar Özden noted “EMU’s Animal Friendly Campus shows how much the university values the city and the country.” Going on to point out that shelters aren’t sustainable, Prof. Dr. Özden noted that the ‘Neuter-Vaccinate-Let Live’ model is the best and most sustainable model. Prof. Dr. Özden concluded by stating that they are happy when the neutured animals are adopted, asking that people who want to adopt provide information to them because of project records that are kept.
Castrate-Vaccinate-Let Live project volunteer and Foreign Languages and English Preparatory School academic staff member Fayka Giresun stated that one of the achievements of the project is the adoption of dogs neutered as part of the project. Giresun noted “Even though EMU is an animal friendly campus that welcomes our animal friends, finding a family is important for every animal.” Highlighting that Neuter-Vaccinate-Let Live volunteers are involved first hand in the treating of animals Giresun stated that neutering prevents population control related problems and young animals being abandoned on the street. Giresun expressed her sorrow regarding witnessing pregnant animals, or female animals being abandoned.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam noted that the project will continue to raise awareness and consciousness regarding animal warfare on campus and in the city, inviting everyone in Famagusta to support the process of becoming an ‘animal friendly city’.
