"It's the perfect place and the perfect building"
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This farm is unfortunately already well known to the city. The buildings have seen (too) many animals. Reported for negligence, the animals had been seized on the spot. Since then the owner, according to the mayor, hasn’t taken in animals anymore. “These issues have been resolved as a result of what happened. I didn’t expect this owner to sell his building. We didn’t go to him to buy this building,” explains Brigitte Aubert.
The municipality of Mouscron intends to purchase the neighboring farm from the SPA to create a refuge for wild animals. The goal: to welcome animals that the SPA or the cat’s cocoon cannot take care of. An offer that does not exist in the entity.
By Elise Seynaeve
Second largest city in Picardy Wallonia, Mouscron has just under 60,000 inhabitants. A figure that unfortunately brings its share of abandoned animals. And the current collaboration with the Mouscron SPA and the Cat’s Cocoon association, mainly for dogs and cats, is no longer enough. Especially when it comes to other animals such as horses, rabbits, pigs, snakes, chickens, roosters, wallabies…
This is why the Municipality of Mouscron has decided to create a new refuge dedicated to wild animals. “There are shelters for pets, but they are all more or less saturated. So more seats are needed. And, as far as wild animals are concerned, there are starting to be problems in the region to be able to take care of and transport them,” observes Christophe Denève, head of the Environment Unit.
An unexpected solution
If the will had been there for some time in the head of the municipality, he did not imagine however that the opportunity would present itself so quickly. “We found the solution faster than expected. I didn’t expect it! It’s the perfect place and the perfect building. We want to buy the farm which is located next to the SPA. This has only recently been on sale, so we met the owner,” explains Brigitte Aubert, mayor. If the point is voted on at the next municipal council, the Mouscron municipality will then be able to acquire this farm. “The house is practicable, accessible, far from the houses. There is a shed where we can house the animals… We will have to adapt this shed to accommodate different types of animals”, continues the mayor. In the future, the municipality plans to buy land around it, to create space for animals such as horses to graze.
With just a few modifications, this farmhouse will then be able to accommodate this new retreat. But this will have to be done in synergy with the other local associations. However, this shelter will not be municipal. Owner of the premises, the Municipality of Mouscron would like management to be put in place. Management for which it will obviously be necessary to find the right person. “To do this job, you need certain skills. It would take one or two people with this profile», explains Brigitte Aubert, imagining an operation like that of the SPA, whose team is reinforced by volunteers. “We will work in synergy with existing associations to see how we can organize ourselves with them to develop the project,” adds Christophe Denève.
Too few wildlife sanctuaries
For this refuge, the municipality hopes to obtain Creaves accreditation (Centres for the Revalidation of Animal Species Living in the Wild State), an accreditation issued by the Walloon Region. “We intervened with the minister to try to obtain subsidies. We are awaiting news,” the mayor specifies. Given the lack of places in Creaves centers in the region (one in Templeuve, one in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing and one in Dour which is closing its doors), the municipality hopes this will be successful.
Another news: the SPA will have a new access. No more going through the farmyard to get there. This road was dangerous and damaged. The parallel road, which allows access to this farm, will be extended along the route of the old road, to access the association. “This road will remain because farmers have to reach their land. And it will stay their walk if they wish. But there will be a correct path for visitors to the SPA”, concludes Brigitte Aubert.
The entire project, hopes the municipality, should materialize during the year.
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