The traditional Christmas of the animals was to be held in Paris, this weekend, Place de la République. It is canceled "for security reasons" following the violence of Saturday, said Tuesday the SPA.
Traditionally in December, the SPA proposes the adoption of 400 dogs and cats in an ephemeral refuge. It's the Christmas of the animals. But this year, "for security reasons" following the violence during the Yellow Vests event, it is canceled.
"I am distraught, these events deprive us of our big annual meeting. We counted a lot on this adoption operation in Paris, at the end of the year, to relieve our provincial refuges , " said Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the new president of the SPA.
"But for the safety of the adopters, my staff and the animals, I decided to cancel the operation, which is also very expensive. The new president of the SPA does not want to take a risk " because the place of the Republic is a symbolic place" . A hundred volunteers and veterinarians were to visit the site to accommodate the thousands of prospective adopters.
5,000 animals are waiting for a new master
The 62 provincial refuges and SPA houses where 5,000 animals await a new master will remain open. The SPA launches a call for solidarity so that all the people who had the project to adopt an animal during this event go to one of these shelters.
Jacques-Charles Fombonne "hopes to postpone this event in the spring . " "I do not give up because we have to empty our shelters," he said. Last year, 13,000 people had gone to the temporary Christmas haven of Paris, more than 500 dogs and cats had found a new home.