ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Anas, a company of the FS Group, participated in the eighth edition of the Pet Carpet Film Festival, held at the Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese, Rome, to showcase its commitment to rescuing animals during road network monitoring activities and promoting safety awareness.
The event was organized by the Pet Carpet association, chaired by journalist Federica Rinaudo.
During the festival, Anas was part of the jury that evaluated the competing short films and awarded a prize to one of the winners.
Anas’s initiatives aim to combat accidents caused by abandoned pets on the roads, with a focus on ensuring greater safety for travelers. In Italy, many road accidents, including fatalities, occur due to abandoned animals, a phenomenon that intensifies during the summer months.
“Anas has always committed to ensuring safety on the roads, not only for motorists but also for animals that may find themselves in perilous situations,” said Anas CEO Claudio Andrea Gemme. “The issue of abandonment along roadways is a serious emergency that endangers not just their lives but also those of road users. Therefore, we have intensified monitoring and intervention efforts, collaborating with local authorities and organizations in the sector. Only through collective action can we drastically reduce incidents related to this problem. We also believe in the importance of raising public awareness regarding animal welfare and the responsibility everyone has in preventing risky situations. Through this participation, Anas reaffirms its contribution to a safer, more sustainable road network that considers the needs of all living beings.”
With its 32,000 kilometers of road network, Anas is dedicated to raising awareness among motorists about not abandoning animals on the road, aiming to ensure greater safety for travelers. On average, Anas saves one animal every five days from being hit and killed on its roads and highways. For several years, Anas has also collaborated with various animal welfare organizations to promote joint efforts in awareness campaigns and road safety education. Among the campaigns promoted by Anas are: #AMAMIeBASTA, created in partnership with LNDC National League for the Defense of Dogs, and the Pet Camper Tour, in collaboration with the Pet Carpet association, an educational and cultural entity focused on environmental and animal protection.
There has been over a 30% increase in citizen reporting of animal abandonment incidents to Anas in recent years. This positive trend is also thanks to numerous reports from the public to field operators, enabling workers to identify and save wandering animals more quickly and effectively.
Many species have been rescued across the country by Anas: dogs, cats, horses, tortoises (both land and sea), owls, just to name a few important species that coexist within the ecosystem.
However, not all reports received by operational centers have been positive: in the past five years, the number of animals found dead has nearly doubled, from 17% in 2019 to 31% in 2022.
Animal abandonment thus remains a significant issue, especially in the South.
Anas urges anyone who encounters a stray or wandering animal that may pose a danger to road traffic to inform the authorities by dialing the emergency number 112 (Police and Fire Brigade).
For incidents occurring on Anas’s roads, it’s possible to report the presence of the animal by calling the toll-free number “Pronto Anas” 800.841.148. If witnessing an abandonment, it is important to note the license plate number of the vehicle leaving the animal, to report it to the authorities and facilitate identifying the responsible party. Abandonment is not only a cruel act posing risks for the animal but also contributes to thousands of road accidents each year, often fatal, caused by stray animals. It should be reminded that abandoning an animal is not just a crime against that animal; it can also lead to charges of involuntary manslaughter. Under the Italian Penal Code (art. 727 c.p.), abandonment of animals is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine ranging from €1,000 to €10,000 for anyone abandoning domestic animals.
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