“Once upon a time, there was a Belgian princess.”
That sentence may summon up the vision of an elegant chateau and a lavish lifestyle, but this princess forsook her worldly life in the late ‘60s for a lonely little farm which she populated with dogs, cats, goats, ferrets, the odd iguana, pig or donkey – even snakes – all abandoned, mistreated, or orphaned through an owner’s death. Though the generous princess has left us, her legacy, the Refuge of Thiernay near Nevers in central France, lives on. There, some 120 animals find shelter, affection, veterinary services, dedicated volunteers, and in many cases, even adoptive families. Managing all this as well as dealings with social services and the justice system is Amelia Tarzi – a professional interpreter whose languages now include barks, meows, whinnies and braying. Come hear how she fields both the routine and the extraordinary at this admirable animal refuge.
A day trip to the shelter led by Amelia Tarzi is being organized on Tuesday, June 22, or Wednesday, June 23. Train leaves from Paris-Bercy at 9 a.m. and arrives in Nevers at 10:57. Return to Paris in time for dinner. Lunch will be served at the shelter. To sign up or find out more, email lectures@wice-paris.org.
About the Instructor
Though a member of both the New York and the English bars, lawyer and conference interpreter Amelia Tarzi has long been an activist for animals. Starting with board membership for the Geneva S.P.A in the ‘80s, she was also a government inspector for farm and research-exploited animals there, and in the ‘90s became Vice-President of the A.S.P.C.A, in the U.S.A. In 2011 she assumed the presidency of the Refuge de Thiernay, yet still participates actively in animal protection organizations in both Geneva and Nice.
With animal protection measures now more than ever before making headlines, Amelia is the perfect person to tell us the latest.
