Successful Fundraiser
(11 Year old Courtney Thom of Froggy Farm, Simon's Town cuddles the giant panda purchased for her on the fundraising auction.)
On Wednesday 21 November SASHA held a fundraising evening at the Blowhole Bar in the Southern Right Hotel, Glencairn. Despite the fact that it was a stormy night, we had a fabulous turnout and we thank all our supporters who braved the rain. We are always happy to see our regulars and it was great to see so many new faces in the crowd. Kevin du Preez entertained us in style with super music and also did a fine job as the auctioneer. The evening was much enjoyed and we raised R10 000 which will be used towards the new X-ray facility and the running of the clinic. It is really heartening to see how many people care about animals and actually put their hands in their pockets to help
them. We are grateful to all our supporters and those who sponsored raffle prizes and auction goods: Sun Valley Vet Store, The Nag’s Head in Noordhoek, The Two and Sixpence in Simon’s Town, The British Bulldog in Kommetjie , Five Flies Restaurant, Constantiaberg Autos, Peter Schutte (Montego), Renee Brink, Lorna Robinson, The Zone Fitness Gym, The What Not Shop in Kalk Bay & Two Oceans Vineyards. Many thanks to the Southern Right Hotel for hosting us and for their donation.And many thanks to Linda Wilson for all her hard work organising the event, ably assisted by Lorraine and Larry.

Pets and Toys
What’s the difference and who cares?
This isn’t a subject I would have chosen for the Christmas edition, but then again, there probably is no better time. Why?..read on.

Barrington went to collect a couple of dogs recently but he came back with an extra patient. He’d found a kitten, about 5 weeks old, with both front legs broken (the humerus bones - the ‘upper arms’), broken by a 3 year old child, playing. Believe me, it’s not that easy to snap these bones.

Two obvious questions spring to mind:
1. Why was a small child allowed to play with a kitten unsupervised?
2. Why does a small child use such force?

Not the only thoughts that went through my mind at that instance in time but this case just highlights the very real need for us to keep going into communities, talking to people and educating children in how to handle and look after animals.

We are in real danger of failing to find these cases and these innocent creatures will continue to suffer with no help - please help us in our efforts to help them.
Please help us to help them, set up a stop order with your bank in favour of SASHA today.

We get quite a number of donations paid directly into our bank account without a specific reference. If anyone makes a payment this way and requires acknowledgement or a receipt please e-mail us or give us a call to let us know. Thank you!

DOC’S REPORT
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus – FIV

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is characterised by long period without signs of disease, followed by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections, that is, practically any disease that can take advantage of a low immune system such as respiratory infections, and gut infections leading to intermittent or persistent diarrhoea. This is a similar situation to that seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). FIV transmission is influenced by cat behaviour, such as the territorial behaviour especially exhibited by males and the resultant fighting. It is not infectious for humans but cats remain infected for life.
Free-roaming male cats are at greatest risk of FIV infection. The principal mode of transmission seems to be bites although pregnant queens may transmit the virus to foetuses and also via milk. Whichever way, if you sterilise your pet cat BEFORE it is old enough to start the mating game, (and preferably as early as 3 months of age), it is much less likely to contract the disease. Un-neutered male cats are much more likely to fight and contract FIV through bite wounds. In general, the disease resembles AIDS and cats with FIV infection are particularly prone to infections because of the suppression of the immune system. The infection may be dormant for months or years prior to immunodeficiency. Among the disorders and clinical signs that may ensue are pneumonia, arthritis, behavioural abnormalities, eye disease, anaemia, loss of condition, severe mouth and gum disease, persistent diarrhoea and chronic skin disease. Treatment is still in the experimental stage. In spite of therapy, cats that develop clinical disease usually die within two years.
Dr Yvonne Robson

URGENT: Book-keeper needed
Our book-keeper has been snowed under and is unable to continue to assist us. Our first years’ financials have been approved and signed off, but we really need some help to make sure we keep everything in good order. If anyone with bookkeeping knowledge could give us a little help each month we would love to hear from you. Please call 021 785 4748.

NOVEMBER RAFFLE
Thanks to all those who bought tickets for our recent raffle, a total of R1 500 was raised. The winners were:
1st : No 28 : Aliet Pelt won an aromatherapy therapy treatment valued at R250
2nd : No 41 : Shireen Matthee won a Woolworth's voucher to the value of R100
3rd : No 185 : Shelly Colledge won a beautiful dog collar & leash

SPAYATHONS 2008
We need volunteers to assist with a spayathon in Khayelitsha on Saturday 26th January 2008. We need vets and nurses and anyone else who can help monitor the animals as they wake up. We will also be visiting Eland’s Bay and Lambert’s Bay in early March. Please give us a call or e-mail us if you can offer help.

SCHOOL REPORT


The D G Murray Trust’s generous sponsorship allowed us to fit in five sessions at Marine Primary School in Ocean View before the end of term. The girl in the far right of the photo is not really ignoring the teacher, she is busy checking Vicky, the vet’s dog, who comes to all the classes. We also visited Sun Valley Primary School’s Pet Club again.
 

Thank you to R. I. PETS for assisting with our clinical waste disposal Compassionate Cremation & Burial Services of deceased pets.
You can contact them on the following Number 021 955 2447

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR RECENT SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS - too many to mention – but special thanks to Bay Primary and Kommetjie Primary Schools, Internet Solutions for hosting our website, The Cape Town Travel Women’s Club, Sherry Woods for helping with this newsletter and Liz Griffiths, our overseas secretary for all the typing she’s done!

SALES SALES SALES
We are still in need of good second-hand clothes, bric- a-brac, books, appliances and small items of furniture to sell. The book sales happen every first Thursday of the month at Longbeach Mall (outside Ackermans) - these will restart in 2008: next dates are 7 Feb, 6 March, 3 April and 8 May. If you have any items to donate please call SASHA on 021 785 4748 or Lorraine on 083 208 5089. We collect.  

NEEDED FOR X-RAY FACILITY:
We need a table for the X-ray dark room - if anyone has one they don't need or knows someone who might, please let us know. It is to put the film processor on, not too important what size or shape so long as not too big - not more than about 1.2m long.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated paint and special thanks to Chapman’s Build It, Sun Valley and Midas Earthcote, Fish Hoek. We do still need floor paint and roof paint if anyone can help us with this.   

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
2. PREVENTING DOG BITES
Why do dogs bite?
Dogs bite because they are predators, like humans, and are designed to hunt. Biting is part of the hunting instinct and dogs bite for a reason. They can bite because they are hungry, in pain, afraid, too excited or frustrated. Dogs that are lonely or bored may bite to get some action or attention. Some breeds are more likely to bite than others. For example pit bull terriers and Rottweilers are bred to be aggressive.

How can you prevent your own dog biting?
Make sure your dog is properly fed, healthy, taken for walks regularly, trained in a kind way, has company most of the day and a view out of his yard and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, get lots of calm attention from his owners. This does not mean you will not have a watchdog. In fact dogs are more protective if they are correctly cared for, because they see the family as their “pack”.

Avoiding dog bites:
Children should be taught from an early age to respect their own and strange dogs. These are some basic rules to prevent dog bites.

Avoid these situations:
• A dog eating or chewing
• A dog with puppies
• A dog in pain – Call someone who knows how to handle it.
• A growling dog
• A sleeping dog – Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.
• Dog fights – Throw water on them from a distance.

Never:
• Threaten or force a dog – Use food to get a dog to do something.
• Hurt a dog
• Tease a dog through a fence
• Play roughly with a dog – Stop playing when it gets too excited.
• Hug, pick up or touch a strange dog – Always ask the dog’s owner first.

What to do if you are afraid of a dog:
If you are confronted by a dog and are afraid of it, NEVER scream, run or wave your arms. The best thing to do is “Be a tree”. In other words, stand still, keep quiet and keep your hands still. Try not to stare at the dog, but look away at something else. Eventually the dog will get bored and walk away. If you fall down or are knocked down by the dog, the best thing to do is “Be a hedgehog”. In other words curl up into a ball, keep still and quiet and wait for the dog to move away.
If you are afraid of all dogs, then it is a good idea to get to know one and get over the fear. A small dog or puppy is usually harmless and easy to like. Children should be taught to respect and love all animals as they all have a place in our world.
Karen Gray-Kilfoil
www.animal-behaviour.org.za/karengray

Feral Cat Report:
We have had a call for help from a school close to our organisation. We really need additional hands to assist with trapping a number of cats there, so that we can sterilise and release them if they are healthy. If anyone can give us a bit of their time, maybe in the evenings, we would love to hear from you. Training will be given.
There are feral cat colonies in many areas and if you are prepared to spend a little time helping these animals it will prevent much suffering.

SASHA wishes all their supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

FOCUS ON SASHA PETS: (CARAMEL & TOFFEE)

Un-neutered Caramel and previously neutered Toffee were unwanted, abandoned cats that we decided could be kept happily at our premises to deter the mouse population that seemed to be enjoying their time in Sunnydale!
Once we had neutered Caramel, the two cats quickly became close friends and a great deterrent for the mice. After a short while, our vet noticed that Toffee had intermittent bouts of diarrhoea so she decided to run some tests, one of which was for Feline Aids, (see Doc’s Report). Unfortunately, Toffee proved positive. This meant that the chances of his best buddy also having this contagious disease was quite high, and we didn’t want to separate them as they had formed a close bond. It was (and is) necessary to keep both cats separate from any other cats and not have them wander. What could be done to prevent this without keeping these previously ‘outside’ cats housebound? An outside roofed, wood and wire double (to a cat!) storey house was built for them, with toys, poles, shelves etc included in the layout, plus room for litter trays, food and water, plus a door to facilitate cleaning by humans! The cats had access to the comfort and warmth of one room of the main dwelling by a small opening from ‘their’ house, but it meant that they could not spread the virus to the other house cats, (all of which were also previously unwanted or abandoned).
They have now had a second area added on, with grass and sand to roll around in. However, due to their restricted playground, both Caramel & Toffee are on special obesity diet food because a fat cat, (or any animal), would be more likely to become ill, particularly when their health is already compromised. It is good news that Caramel and Toffee are still healthy and happy … let us hope they continue to stay well for a long time!
Hazel

Thank you to those who offered second-hand washing machines and special thanks to Teresa Strano for donating a brand new machine. All our bedding can now be washed with ease but now we need someone to sponsor a salary for a part-time cleaner – Barrington and the Doc are still doing all the cleaning themselves. Less cleaning means more sterilising! If you can’t offer any money perhaps you could offer a little time.

Thank you to MCP Veterinary Wholesalers for giving us discount on our purchases. For your pets’ needs contact 021 715 5221 www.mcp.co.za

If you truly like your friends/family, DON’T give them a pet for Christmas!
Instead of buying one or two presents for somebody who already has so much please spare a thought for all the unwanted puppies and kittens that are abandoned over the Christmas period. Giving a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present is very irresponsible.
The cute puppy on Christmas Day soon becomes the hound from hell when it
• pees on the carpet - and worse!
• chews the furniture
• barks non-stop because it is shut outside as the new owner loses interest.

On top of this there may be added problems with
• expense of feeding, vaccinations and vet fees for injuries
• planning a holiday suddenly isn’t so simple when faced with
• • who can look after it
• • how much is it going to cost for kennels/cattery.

A UK organisation that has seen far too many of these sad cases has a great slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”
Be responsible, help stop the Christmas disasters that we dread having to see that include:
• damaged by abuse
• suffering from neglect after being abandoned
• being asked to put them to sleep because they are no longer wanted by the families that were given a pet that they really didn’t know how to look after or simply don’t want.

By donating R50 to SASHA to help sterilise a dog or cat for Christmas, instead of giving yet another non-essential Christmas present, you will not only be saving a life, but also making this time of year much better for all of us who work in welfare.

Please think twice before giving so many presents - donate to welfare instead.

ARGUS CYCLE TOUR 2008
The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour is on Sunday 9th March 2008. This just happens to be Doctor Yvonne’s 50th birthday! Yes, fifty years young and so next year, as her disruptive cancer treatment is finished - hopefully for good - instead of running the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon again she has decided to cycle the Tour and try and get sponsors to raise funds.
We are looking for sponsors and also other cyclists who might join her in the fun. She says she is not going to try for any special time but just wants to complete – and enjoy – the race. If you have entered and are interested in cycling with her or in helping in any way please contact us.

Untill next time.....
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