Island Life
Earlier this year kind friends invited me to their home on Mauritius, they then also suggested that I might like to run the ‘Royal Raid’, a 35km trail run through the Black River Gorge National Park! This sounded right up my street but I was also determined to pay a visit to the Protection of Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) based in Mahebourg, in the south of the island. As well as these main premises PAWS have a second base in Floreal and also run mobile clinics from a caravan, which they take to various venues around the island to provide facilities for sterilisation of the local population of cats and dogs, a much needed service here.

During my stay in Mauritius I saw many dogs on the road, some owned but also some stray. I witnessed several dogs mating on the streets and whilst many of them were in fair condition there were a few very sorry looking individuals. Even in a closed island community (almost - a few dogs & cats were imported) they are struggling to sterilise enough animals to ensure population control. There is still significant neglect & suffering in Mauritius & I wonder whether we will ever make any significant in-road in the large country of South Africa & in the even more vast expanses of the African continent.

In the last couple of months SASHA has received requests for help from places as far afield as Port Elizabeth, The Wild Coast, Durban & the Northern Cape. The message from the Wild Coast was as follows: “When I spoke to the local people, even those that had had some education & spoke reasonable English, they did not know the word Vet or that such a person as an animal Dr. existed!” Unfortunately we do not have the time & resources to assist everywhere & when we conduct the outreach campaigns we rely heavily on the dedicated local `animal people` to assist & coordinate the whole thing. Without a `willing local` it is impossible to be effective as aftercare & follow up are also essential. It has been my privilege to meet many concerned & committed people in these rural areas over the last few years, including Colette, Jenny, Michell, Jolene, Dee, Natasha, Dawn, Colleen….. & many more too numerous to mention, who have spared much time & effort.

Campaign Report
Over the last three months we have spent a number of days sterilising animals in the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village & Gordon’s Bay areas. So far 217 Dogs, 97 Cats & 6 Rabbits have been sterilised & we have been to the Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School to give some Humane Education presentations, see School Report. Many thanks to Colleen Pienaar & Julia Evans for allowing us to use their premises & for all their assistance, also thanks to the many helpers we have had during this campaign, including Animal Rescue Organisation and PUPP.

In the first week of June we visited St.Helena Bay, near Vredenburg. The small community Laingville is also over populated with dogs & cats, some in poor, mangy condition. 33 dogs & 14 cats were sterilised in 2 days. 1 dog was euthanased because of it’s appalling condition - it was a very over burdened mother with dreadful skin & uncaring owners.

Thanks also to Pippa Young and Claire Blackmore for their skilled assistance, veterinary nurses who volunteered and came all the way from England to help our animals!

We are planning trips to Citrusdal, Elim and Du Noon, amongst others.

DOC’S REPORT
A few good reasons to sterilise the boys as well as the girls...
It never ceases to amaze me that even in today's world many people still believe that sterilising male dogs and cats is not necessary. I don't have to look far in the world I live in to see the animal population is over-crowded, malnourished, neglected and often the victim of cruelty. Even if you live in a nice house with a lovely garden your male pet will use every trick in the book to try to get to a girl! Here are a few reasons to get the boys snipped...

• Sexually active males spray or mark their territories, causing an unpleasant smell that can be very difficult to remove.
• Sexually active males roam and jump fences to get to females on heat, are often aggressive and commonly fight each other.
• Unsterilised male dogs are more likely to be inappropriately aggressive with the family and other dogs.
• Unsterilised male dogs are more difficult to train as they are more dominant.
• Unsterilised male dogs are vulnerable to prostate disease and perianal hernias.
• Unsterilised male cats are often run over at night trying to get to queens.
• Unsterilised cats are more likely to catch feline AIDS or leukaemia.
• Homeless and hungry stray pets may be aggressive or carry disease, threatening your own pets or children.

Your pet’s personality will not change if it is sterilised – sterilised dogs are just as effective watch dogs and are as loyal and reliable as before sterilisation. Many healthy pets face euthanasia each month because there are not enough homes. The boys may not give birth to the babies but they help make them!

DOC’S REPORT part 2
EARLY STERILISATION
Once again, I am going to urge people, especially those working in welfare, to consider early sterilisation for dogs and cats. Many people still wish to breed from their pets, and do not really think through the consequences of this unnecessary breeding. I remind you all once again that there is a serious pet overpopulation problem in South Africa, and I don’t believe any of us working in welfare want to euthanase healthy animals, but it happens - and it could be prevented. Your pet does not need to have a litter – there are no benefits, only risks. I have now sterilised many young puppies and kittens – from as young as 6 weeks of age. We take care with the anaesthetic, and I find that the surgery is almost always quicker and easier in the young animals, and the recovery very quick, despite the poor condition of some animals. The benefits in the areas in which we work are enormous. If we have to turn people away from a sterilisation clinic because we have too many patients arriving they often will not return the following day. But if the animal is still very young we have more chance of catching it again before it becomes pregnant. For rescue organisations homing pets, if all animals are sterilised before they go to their new home the organisations do not have to spend time and money following up to try and ensure that the new owner does get the pet sterilised. Maybe I am sounding like a worn record but please STERILISE – SAVE LIVES
Dr Yvonne Robson

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
WALK YOUR DOG TO SAVE THE PLANET!

So how does walking your dog help us to be more “green”? Here are some concepts to consider:
Get in shape!
The saying goes: “If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.” Obviously regular walks can help you and your canine stay in shape and healthy. Most dogs only need a 10 minute walk a day to improve their lifestyle dramatically, but 20 minutes is better. (Puppies under a year old should not be over-exercised – 5 to 10 minutes at a time is plenty.) If you or your dog is unfit, start with 2 minutes a day and increase it each week. Obesity is a worldwide problem and costs governments millions. Shouldn’t that money be spent on something more useful?

Prevent crime!
If people walk regularly in their neighbourhoods, with or without their dogs, it has been proven that crime decreases, especially if they are observant and confident. Becoming a member of your local neighbourhood watch means you could combine your patrols with your dog walks. If there isn’t one, help start one. Taking your dog along provides company and your dog may alert you to something you didn’t notice. Big or vicious-looking dogs are a deterrent to crime as well. You may be able to prevent a crime by simply alerting a neighbour to an open car window or a bicycle left outside.

Improve neighbour relations!
Regular walks around the neighbourhood with your dog should improve relationships in the neighbourhood and you may even make a new friend or two while out walking. Of course you should try to observe some good manners and pick up after your dog. Also respect people’s privacy and stop your dog from barking too much or causing other dogs to bark, as much as possible. It is a well-known fact that close-knit communities help each other out when crisis strikes, so knowing your neighbour has its advantages, apart from the odd cup of tea.

Improve mental health!
Positive contact with animals, even fleeting, can change people’s lives for the better, so letting your dog socialise with children and other dogs is a good idea, providing your dog is sociable and controllable. Your dog’s mental health will also improve if he has regular walks and positive interactions with others. He will probably be less hyperactive and “naughty” at home if he has daily walks. It is a fact of life that we all suffer from stressful lives in some way or another. Walking the dog helps to relieve stress by forcing you to spend time outside (rain or shine), to exercise and to just think and be quiet as you walk along. It’s a great way to de-stress after a hard day’s work, or to prepare for one early in the morning. If your dog’s walking behaviour causes even more stress, then make a plan to train him. There are dog trainers and behaviourists who will come to your home and help you sort out the problems. However, often the first few walks are dreadful and they gradually improve as the dog learns the routine and realises this isn’t the last walk he’s ever getting. Concentrate on keeping calm and your dog should also calm down.

Save electricity, petrol and money!
If you walk more, you’ll spend less time watching TV, on the computer, driving to the shops (How about walking?), and even shopping. If you say you have no time to walk the dog, consider making time, by doing only one shop a week. Or you can record your favourite TV show and watch it later, without the 20 minutes of adverts! People who exercise regularly also sleep better, which means you can go to bed earlier, turn off the TV and lights and help save the world!

Save time by spending time!
If you and your dog are both as healthy as they can be, you will save time and money at the vet and doctor, which means you’ll have more time to walk!

Get off the couch and WALK THE TALK!

By Karen Gray-Kilfoil
Animal Behaviourist & Humane Educator
www.animal-behaviour.org.za/karengray

SASHA SAYS THANKS TO:
The Fish Hoek Girl Guides for constructing stretchers to allow us to carry our heavier sleeping patients more easily. Thanks also to Mica Valyland for supplying poles for the stretchers.

Bay Primary School for their continuing support

Towel and Linen Distributors (Pty) Ltd
www.towelandlinen.co.za

Cape Town Hash House Harriers

FUNDRAISING NEWS
We are still looking for volunteers to assist with fundraising. The garage sale held in April raised approximately R5,000 despite the rainy weather. Many thanks to all those who took the trouble to come and do some bargain hunting! Also thanks to all the helpers on the day. Sincere thanks again to our regular donors who we now rely on to be able to sustain our work – we couldn’t do it without you!

SCHOOL REPORT
In June we visited Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Primary School, to try and reinforce the work we are doing in the area. We presented the Humane Education Trust’s DVD “Becoming Dog’s Best Friend” to all the grade 3 and 4 classes, a total of about 200 learners, conducted over 6 sessions.

The majority of learners had at least one dog in their household and many also had cats. Many of them did not understand about correct feeding, very few understood what sterilisation meant and almost all thought that their pet had never received worm medicine.

These are very worrying facts, and it is time that the government made Humane Education part of the compulsory curriculum. We will follow up next term with another visit: we would also like to offer a couple of ‘classes’ at the end of the day where children can bring their dogs in for de-worming treatment. Owners of any unsterilised animals will be given advice on why they should be sterilised and, hopefully, arrangements made.

Anyone who can contribute to this drive by donating worm medicines or funds to assist with sterilisations, please contact us. We will also educate owners on the benefits of other primary health care such as vaccination. Many thanks to Colleen, Hanno, Pippa and Claire for their assistance, and of course, Vicky the dog.


Untill next time.....
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