Zoe Cell

Cell Zoe: to fight cruelty

Cruelty to animals takes many forms. Voluntary or guided by profit, or even under the pretense of education, it must be condemned and prevented whenever possible. In order to fight it and eradicate it, One Voice has set up a field action cell. It was named Zoé, "life" in Greek, in remembrance of a female dog, saved in 2011 from a real hell in Savoy, with 60 other Tibetan mastiffs and three donkeys. She lived tied to a barrel, in the middle of rubbish, when One Voice discovered her. Today safe in a loving home, she is the symbol of One Voice's fight against cruelty. The Cell Zoe intervenes in the field thanks to its vast network of informers and investigators who are in contact with gendarmerie and veterinary services, and also with partner shelters, ready to welcome the survivors.

Our work, our responsiveness is essential to the authorities to allow them to intervene quickly. Not only are animals saved, but their cases are brought to light, making magistrates aware, and despite being already overwhelmed with cases, they understand that they must include these issues in their priorities. Thanks to our work with them, regulations are evolving.

The Link: a tool to fight violence on animals and humans

The fight of Cell Zoe against cruelty also aims to have these cruel acts condemned regardless of the victim.

The link between violence against animals and humans is proven. Highlighting this has already changed practices in some countries. For example, by setting up collaborations in the United States and the United Kingdom, where child protection and animal protection services are finally starting to work together, including cross-referencing. For the link proves that there are not several types of violence but only one kind, the one that is perpetrated against individuals - human or animal - in a state of weakness, physical or psychological. The famous formula which states that violence breeds violence makes perfect sense: victims of violence are more than likely to become perpetrators themselves ...

The link between child abuse, animal abuse and family violence becomes clear. The need to get rid of a legal distinction between the nature - human or animal - of the victim becomes obvious.

On September 18, 2007, at Keble College, Oxford, a groundbreaking international conference on "The relationship between animal cruelty and violence against humans" was organized by the Link Group and by Oxford’s Center for Animal Ethics and the League against Cruel Sports, with One Voice’s sponsorship. There were professionals in animal welfare, child protection, crime prevention, law, sociology, education and veterinary science from all five continents. They analyzed the evidence of this connection, its possible meaning, its moral significance, and its implications for future social and legal policy.

Since 2007, and its active participation in the Oxford Conference on the subject, One Voice has been working to spread knowledge about the Link. In 2012, we published the book, "Violence on animals and humans: the link", which brings together the articles published at the end of the conference. We also compiled some of the solutions developed in Europe and elsewhere, helping to build a peaceful world in a downloadable document: "One Voice Guidelines: The Link between Violence on Animals and Humans".

Investigation: One Voice in Canine Training Clubs

One Voice investigators have infiltrated several dog training clubs. They attended real sessions of collective abuse. Under the cover of education, humans are encouraged to use extremely brutal practices, which traumatize their best friend. So-called educators teach how to submit by force. The consequences in the short or medium term will be dramatic. Leashes, insults, screams, slaps, strangulation, are one violent practice after another. They often lead to the abandonment or even euthanasia of dogs, as they instill anxious and aggressive behavior into these animals.

Led nationwide, the campaign relies on two tools: 

• Training conferences led by Dr. Nathalie Simon, behavioral veterinarian partner of One Voice. Organized throughout France, they are free and open to the general public.
• Information leaflets made available in medical offices, specialized stores and on our website. They explain behaviors and attitudes that generate stress and oppose them to those who make animals happy. Two reports are also broadcast, which take stock of the situation of our companions, dogs and cats, in France.

Investigation: One Voice in Canine Training Clubs

One Voice investigators have infiltrated several dog training clubs. They attended real sessions of collective abuse. Under the cover of education, humans are encouraged to use extremely brutal practices, which traumatize their best friend. So-called educators teach how to submit by force. The consequences in the short or medium term will be dramatic. Leashes, insults, screams, slaps, strangulation, are one violent practice after another. They often lead to the abandonment or even euthanasia of dogs, as they instill anxious and aggressive behavior into these animals.

The "sentience" corner