A space dedicated to the safeguarding and protection of animals, to pedagogy too. This is the project defended by Jean-Pierre Barnaud for several years. The mayor (UDI) of Chennevières-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne) spoke again about this idea this Sunday afternoon in the heart of the departmental park of the Plaine des Bordes.
There, several dozen stands held by associations were set up on the occasion of an afternoon of awareness around the environment and the animal cause, organized by the city in collaboration with the department of Val-de-Marne.
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The event is part of both the Fête de la Nature, which has been taking place for several days everywhere, but also in the approach undertaken for many years by the city.
Located near Fort de Champigny
"We are currently in the competition phase," says Jean-Pierre Barnaud. "We would like to inaugurate this during this mandate, but there may be hazards," says the one who hopes a lot of this space called to bring together avenue de Cœuilly, not far from the fort of Champigny, associations and professionals around the animal cause.
He is not alone in his hopes. "We are interested, we want a place in this animal house," Katia Bonnardel, president of Apac (Canaveroise Animal Protection Association), manages to smile. A real cold has settled with the town hall since its forced departure, eight months ago, premises whose structure benefited within the fort of Champigny for three years. "We receive a lot of calls, but we can no longer really carry out our main mission, which is to save cats," she regrets. We can share this with several associations, there is work for everyone. »
Jean-Pierre Barnaud has been highlighting his action for many years. "We created a delegation for the animal cause in 2014, when it was not yet fashionable," smiles the one who is also vice-president of the departmental council in charge of environmental heritage, biodiversity, urban agriculture and animal welfare.
Nearly 30,000 euros to support associations
"We also financially support several associations for a total of about 28,000 euros," says Jean-Pierre Barnaud. These include the association Trois petits chats, active in promoting adoptions and avoiding the proliferation of felines, but also a reference structure in the protection of black swifts, and another that works to give a second life to rabbits used in the laboratory. Support and municipal action welcomed by the Ile-de-France region.
Present this Sunday afternoon, Sophie Deschiens, special delegate "to the circular and animal-friendly region", is there for a symbolic inauguration: that of the sign "Animal Friendly City – 2 legs" which will soon be installed. It corresponds to the second level (out of three) of a label awarded by the Ile-de-France region to municipalities making real efforts for the animal cause. "More than 120 municipalities are now labelled," says the regional referent. The next session will be launched at the beginning of the school year. We have more and more requests. »
