SPAYATHONS 2008
As Welfare representative for the SA Veterinary Association Western Cape Branch I have been tasked with organising some sterilisation campaigns in our most needy areas.
This is a huge challenge; the following gives you some idea of how hard we worked to bring this first one together:
• identification of new areas which are very overpopulated with dogs and cats – for this I contacted other welfare organisations and asked them to instruct their mobile clinic operators to inform me of problem areas;
• identification of the individual owners of unsterilised animals and educating these owners of all the reasons why we should sterilise them - and not just because of overpopulation (for other sound reasons please contact us/check out our website);
• setting a date for the first session, organising a suitable venue and finding veterinarians and veterinary nurses willing to give up their free time on the day;
• contacting the South African Veterinary Council to seek permission to hold the event as they have to approve the facilities; · contacting a number of pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers to request donations of the necessary drugs and sundries – anaesthetics, cotton wool, surgical scrub, syringes and needles, etc. etc.;
• writing sample flyers which were translated into Xhosa to hand out in the community and posters to go into local community centres, libraries and schools; · contacting the local radio station, Zibonele, who immediately invited us to visit them for a programme to tell the people of Khayelitsha about the day so they could bring their pets along or ask for help with transport if necessary, and we were able to take questions on air from listeners;
• going door to door in the community and visiting schools to deliver the flyers and posters; · sending out numerous e-mails to friends and contacts to try and find other helpers on the day: for administrative duties such as recording details of each owner and patient and for checking patients as they came round from the anaesthetic;
• finding help with transport – many owners wish to have their pets sterilised but many will not turn up at a set time and then collect the animal again later (even though we were offering the service free for this one day) – and many owners do not have their own transport.
The day itself started early – we were at the Hall in Khayelitsha by 07.45. Thanks to Gladstone and Theo from the SPCA – they came with their mobiles to collect the first batch of dogs and cats which had been admitted by Mdzananda Animal clinic in Khayelitsha the evening before. The guys from Mdzananda were great too, and the collection and return of animals continued through the day. There were also quite a few owners (many of them children) who brought their animals in themselves, so we were kept very busy.
A team of 16 vets (including myself), several vet nurses and about 20 other helpers managed to cope with the large numbers of animals and 89 dogs and 3 cats were sterilised. The dogs were registered then vaccinated and sedated before waiting in line with their owners or volunteers until their turn came for the anaesthetic.
Once asleep they were clipped and cleaned and given extra painkillers so they would not be sore when they woke up again, then taken to one of the several operating tables with waiting vets. Other vets and nurses helped to maintain the anaesthetics. A large section of floor was covered with newspapers and when a pet had had its operation completed it was carried to this area for recovery and covered with an old towel or blanket to make sure it did not lose heat – although it was a very warm day and we all got a bit hot rushing around! When some of the dogs woke up and the owner was not there to take them home they were transferred to another room off the main hall so they could not wander off. We would dearly like to get some holding pens for the next event which would assist with managing the sleepy patients. A few other dogs and cats that were a little young and underweight for surgery were vaccinated and some pets were given treatment for mange. They were all also given flea and worm treatment, kindly donated by pharmaceutical companies. All the dogs and cats were vaccinated against rabies which is a horrendous and incurable disease – there are several human fatalities each year - and, although not yet prevalent in the Cape Flats, there have been cases recorded in animals in the Western Cape. All in all, the day was a success. Not only were 92 pets sterilised which will decrease the number of animals born into neglect and abuse, it was an opportunity to start an education process and inform owners about other primary health care (vaccination, de-worming, flea and mange treatment).
A huge thank you to all the vets, nurses and other helpers and to those companies that donated so generously: MCP Wholesalers, Lakato (Pty) Ltd, Kyron Laboratories, Vetserve, Instavet, Novartis Animal Health, Merial South Africa, Bayer Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Intervet-SA and Virbac RSA and also to the individuals who gave financial support.
We are planning more spayathons and would like to hear from anyone who would like to give a financial contribution or who would like to participate on the day – we definitely need more ‘hands-on’ helpers for the next one. If you make a financial donation and would like it to go specifically towards the spayathons, please let us know – we are keeping separate records from our other day-to-day work.
As this newsletter goes to print we are embarking on our next campaign, answering cries for help from the desperate Lambert’s Bay Animal Welfare.
A team from Worldwide Veterinary Service (www.wvs.org.uk) are coming from the UK to assist us – 2 vets and 1 nurse. We also welcome Bob Dawson, a veterinary nurse from the UK who has come to help me for 2 or 3 weeks each year since 2004. This is his fifth visit to Cape Town and each year he brings not just himself and his expertise, but some much needed resources/finances.
The first 2 weeks of March are going to be frantic. I pick up the UK team from the airport on Sunday 2nd March and we head off to Lambert’s Bay for the first 3 days’ sterilisation session, then on to Eland’s Bay for the rest of the week. We return on Friday when Helen, one of the UK vets, and I have to register at the Cape Argus Pick n’ Pay Cycle expo, as we are cycling the tour together on Sunday. On Saturday hopefully the UK team will be able to see some of Cape Town and surroundings whilst Barrington and I will be cleaning and re-packing for the following weeks’ session, scheduled for Voorberg Prison, Porterville. Sunday 9th March, my 50th birthday, will see Helen and myself on our bikes raising some money for SASHA and hopefully getting back in time for a few hours rest and a relaxing braai with friends on Sunday evening. Monday morning we depart for Porterville to trap feral cats and sterilise them if healthy, and to sterilise tame cats that some of the prisoners have befriended and feed. We will also be initiating an education programme for the prisoners with the assistance of Karen Gray- Kilfoil. Our next newsletter will carry a report of how successful we were with all of this! Yvonne.
Many thanks De Wets Wellpoints,
who repaired our wellpoint free of charge and gave great service – for Domestic and Industrial Installations call: 021 556 1952/ 557 2333 / 715 8974
Garage Sale
Come and join us on 26 April, 9am to 1pm, at 59 Francolin Road, Sunnydale (SASHA Premises). You might just find that special something you've been looking for. Please call us on 021 785 4748 if you have any goods that could be sold on the day.
News Bits
Our appeal for assistance with cleaning, either financially so we can pay a part-time employee, or physically, has so far been unsuccessful. Barrington and the Doc are still doing all the cleaning. Another area we need voluntary help is with gardening and plot maintenance – if anyone can help us with a bit of grass-cutting and general gardening, please contact us.
We desperately need help with sorting and selling bric-a-brac, and to monitor and count collection tins. Please contact us if you can give any help.
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!
ARGUS CYCLE TOUR 9th MARCH 2008
This year the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is on Doctor Yvonne's 50th Birthday, 9 March 2008, and she has decided to cycle the 105km Tour in aid of SASHA. Last year she raised R34,000 by running the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon for SASHA – can you help us try and beat that this year? Helen, a vet from the UK is coming to assist SASHA's spay campaigns in March and has also entered the Argus. She is also getting some sponsors from the UK to assist us. We warned her that the Argus is a big event here but, from the photo she sent us, it looks like she has done this before! Good luck to the girls! Your support can make a real difference as in six years, one female dog and her offspring could produce 67,000 dogs and in seven years, one female cat and her offspring could produce 420,000 cats. If you would like to sponsor us please phone us on 021 785 4748.
Overseas donors
We have a few enquiries form people overseas – for the most cost-effective way of donating money please contact us on
021 785 4748
Chairman’s report: November 2007
This report covers SASHA’s activities from their inception in June 2006 to the first AGM in November 2007.
Background
SASHA started in June 2006 in premises that had been built up under the auspices of another NPO. This NPO was unable to raise sufficient funds to continue the sterilisation project but as all the facilities needed were in place a small group of people decided to try to continue to assist the communities of the far south. We founded the organisation in June 2006 and applied for registration as an NPO so that we could continue to use the already fully functional premises. I was determined to continue to assist animals in our local disadvantaged communities, but this first year has been hugely challenging as, less than two months after our founding document was drafted I was diagnosed with cancer. As the only full time worker for SASHA this had an inevitable effect on our achievements. Whilst I continued to work throughout treatment the schedules for surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy inevitably slowed progress and resulted in a delay in employing a much needed new staff member.
Current activity
This first year has been spent mainly focusing on our local communities, sterilising dogs and cats and working closely with people in the communities. I have, however, also undertaken a few trips to rural areas, where veterinarians are few and far between, to KAPS (Karoo Animal Protection Society) and OPS (Overberg Petcare Society), and once to AACL Bredasdorp, to assist in their endeavours to help needy animals in rural situations.
The future
In the immediate future we will continue to concentrate on sterilisation in an effort to reduce overcrowding of pets which leads to a healthier envi ronment for animals and people. Many puppies and kittens born in to the impoverished communities die within the first few weeks of life because of ignorance and abuse and lack of resources available to their owners; many of these animals suffer terribly because of the circumstances in which they live. With this in mind we are pushing forward with an education programme. We are very grateful to the D G Murray Trust for funding the equipment we needed to pursue our school program, which we have now started in earnest, initially at Marine Primary School in Ocean View. We continue to assist with a feral cat trap/sterilise/release programme where we can; unfortunately, we are notified of many problems all across Cape Town and, as we are a very small organisation, we are unable assist everyone. Our plan for the coming year is to continue to focus on sterilisations in our local communities and to make regular, if infrequent, trips to assist the OPS and the KAPS. We are also being asked to help with various cases of injury and disease from owners in Ocean View and Masiphumelele, and we have nearly completed an X-ray facility to assist with diagnosis. This will be a smaller, but important, part of our work. It is essential that we work with members of the community and encourage them to care for their pets adequately. I am also now a member of the SA Veterinary Association Western Cape branch, to represent welfare. Under the auspices of SAVA I am planning to organise some spayathons in the Cape Town area and possibly organise assistance on the West Coast.
Sincere thanks to:
• my fellow founding members of SASHA, Neil Taylor, Hazel Sayer, Sue-Anne Norton, Andre van der Bijl, Joan Bown and also to Riaan Spreeth for stepping into our out-going secretary’s shoes as she retired to Napier soon after we started;
• Nathan Bowers of Scanshop who designed our logo, and Tony Mouat of Mr Stripes who helped us with signage;
• the Marching Animal Welfare Trust for funding a new Toyota Hilux; a vehicle is absolutely vital to our work in the communities as we find many needy cases by driving around the communities and talking to locals;
• Market Toyota Claremont;
• Barrington Chigudu, whom we have employed since the beginning of April. He has ably fitted in to whatever role has been asked and will hopefully help me take this organisation from strength to strength;
• D G Murray Trust;
• Old Mutual Staff Volunteer Fund Trust;
• Hill’s, Leaders in Pet Nutrition, who gave us a very substantial donation of pet food;
• Keringa / Petwings for donating carrying boxes for dogs;
• Bay Primary School and Kommetjie Primary School for their continuing support;
• R I Pets;
• Kline Engineering;
• Glynn Woods of Turtle Creek Computers, Sean Cairns, James Burke and Internet Solutions for all the computer support and assistance ;
• Balloon City;
• Bob Dawson and Medivet, UK;
• the many donors of equipment for the X-ray facility;
• the many members of Fish Hoek Athletics Club who gave so much financial and practical support;
• all the other supporters who have helped us financially and practically through this first year;
• a special thank you to our donors who give financial help on a regular basis – management of the organisation is greatly assisted when we know we have a fixed income guaranteed;
• the People’s Post and the False Bay Echo for their support and assistance during the year, and radio CCFM;
• the Humane Education Trust for supplying materials that we use in the schools;
• and finally, a most important part of the organisation, all the volunteers who supported us through the year: Brenda Brunskill, Chevonne Peterson, David Irving, Dawid Jacobs, Esme van der Bijl, Harriette Leech, Karen Gray-Kilfoil, Kim Gordon, Larry Jenkins, Laura Barron, Linda Wilson, Liz Griffiths, Lorraine Holloway, Louise Tredinnick, Mavis McLean, Moira Hofmeyer, Pam Herr, Sherry Woods and Vicky Brander: we could not continue without them.
Dr Yvonne Robson
DOC’S REPORT: OBESITY – in dogs and cats
There are a variety of factors which may affect dogs and cats with regard to obesity – genetic factors, age, sex, some medications, certain endocrine diseases, lifestyle and type and amount of food given. Some breeds are more at risk of becoming obese than others, and most dogs do not regulate their food consumption to be optimal for their actual requirements. Cats tend to be better at this – but not always! Many owners try to get their dogs’ affection by offering treats at frequent intervals, instead of sticking to ‘correct’ food at regular mealtimes - and they often feed high calorie treats! Anthropomorphism is also a problem – often owners think that it is better for their pet to eat like they do and many owners don’t recognise that their pet is overweight. So my advice is … take you pet to your local veterinarian at least once a year and get a check up. Feed food that is specifically prepared for dogs and cats. Remember also – sterilising an animal does NOT make the animal fat! Incorrect feeding is the culprit. Neutering and spaying may affect the animal’s metabolism so an adjustment to feeding may be necessary after the operation. When you take your pet to the vet for a check up weigh him or her and record the weight so that you can monitor any changes. Most of the dogs and cats that I see as patients are underweight, but it is salient to remind everyone that obesity is the commonest form of malnutrition in some other countries and is also frequent here in South Africa. Malnutrition you ask? Yes indeed – obesity affects dogs’ and cats’ quality of life and shortens their life expectancy.
Dr Yvonne Robson
School Report
During November we reached 170 enthusiastic Grade 2 learners at Marine Primary School. We would like to thank the staff, especially Mrs Bean, for making this possible. The majority of the children have pets, and this made our visit essential. Most of the children did not know about sterilisation, and with a little help from the teachers we were able to get the message across.
The children now know that their pets also need a house, bedding, food and water, health care and play time – just like them, and they know that the only way to stop the cycle of animal abuse and neglect is to prevent more puppies and kittens from being born.
The teachers asked us to include the older children in our educational programme this year as they believe that they can benefit greatly from this, and we hope to include the Grade 5’s in this year’s sessions.
Chevonne
“By influencing the law, you can help more animals than you ever thought possible.” Mike Radford
In December 2007 I received a subpoena to appear in Ladismith Court to give evidence for the prosecution in a cruelty case brought by the Karoo Animal Protection Society. The case was postponed but went ahead on 24 January 2008. Colette Auret of KAPS had asked me to examine a boerbul, Carrie, whom she had taken from the owner when I was visiting her on one of our sterilisation trips last year. The dog was in a shocking condition and, although I had given a written report at the time I was still summoned to appear before the court.
Although it was a 740km round trip I was very willing to help with this case – the more people that see that the law is enforced and that they cannot get away with appalling behaviour, the closer we will be to winning the battle against neglect and cruelty to animals.
In the end the defendant pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, a last minute change from his previous plea of not guilty. He was sentenced to a R1,000 fine or five months in prison, plus a further six month prison sentence suspended for five years. He was also banned from keeping any animals for five years.
The following week I went to Ladismith again, this time for a case postponed from 2006. A neglected bull terrier was put to sleep after being confiscated from the owner as it was in terrible condition. Despite my giving evidence in court on the day and two other written veterinary reports which agreed with my findings of neglect, the defendant was found not guilty. Very frustrating, and a further indication that we must change the law to recognise animals as sentient beings, not just ‘property’. I fully intend to become actively involved in the discussions about proposed new by-laws re: animal welfare for the City of Cape Town. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please contact us.
Yvonne
FOCUS ON: CHEVONNE
Due to the ever increasing administration work at SASHA, and the fact that our long-suffering vet was becoming inundated with paperwork, the board decided to employ another member of staff. Consequentially, we have recently welcomed ……Chevonne Petersen! Chevonne, 25, from Ocean View is a talented and experienced administrator who has completed Matric and computer courses and is completely fluent in English and Afrikaans. She is also an experienced fundraiser, which is an essential part of working for SASHA! Chevonne was not initially keen to work for another charity but found that when she did some voluntary work for SASHA (last Apr il), she was more than keen to be involved with us! After the birth of her son, Kai, 6 months ago, she started learning to drive and was actively looking for employment. Chevonne was the natural choice for us at SASHA as her experience in computers, administration, fundraising and client contact ensures the smooth running of the office! Chevonne enjoys walking her dog, photography, reading and learning new things. She also said that she loves the varied and interesting work at SASHA. Chevonne, thank you for taking up this employment and making our Vet’s life much less stressful!
Mervin Herr X-ray wing
After many hitches and delays our X-ray facility is finally up and running. Although sterilisation and education remain our core priorities, we can now help animals that are presented to our field worker, Barrington, with injuries sustained in, for example, motor vehicle accidents. We encourage owners to take responsibility for their pets and do not intend to offer a free service with unlimited treatment, but will rather assess each case individually. The X-ray facility will allow us to make a provisional assessment of a case and decide whether we can offer further treatment – with owner participation – or refer the case on to another welfare or, in some cases, advise euthanasia.
Many thanks to Pam Herr for her very significant contribution; the building has been named in memory of her late husband. Thanks must also go to Dr J Marais and the Animal Rescue Organisation for donating an X-ray machine; and for other items and assistance thanks to Neil Taylor; Wendy Barnard; Miss Bowie, Groote Schuur; Bob Dawson, Medivet, UK; Plumbing Workshop; Morton & Partners; Randall Wyngaard, Masakhane Medical; Chapman's Hardware Sun Valley; Midas Earthcote, Fish Hoek; Dulux Paint Centre, Longbeach Mall; Dr M van Zyl, Cape Animal Medical Centre; David Irving; Mr. Stripes, Steenberg.
WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY COST TO STERILISE A DOG OR CAT, PUPPY OR KITTEN?
I think the perception out there is that sterilisations are unnecessarily expensive. I’d like to burst the balloon on that thought and explain what it really costs and why. There are many variables to consider when establishing the cost of sterilisation. Anaesthetic drugs and doses vary depending on the size of the animal being sterilised and so does the time taken for surgery. The time spent by the vet and nursing staff on the sterilisation and the amount of the drugs used therefore dictate the cost of the sterilisation.
Time is money and drugs are expensive. Is this making sense so far?
For example, a bitch spay takes considerably longer than a cat neuter and mature bitches tend to take longer operating time than bitches who are spayed before their first season. Then there are sometimes unexpected complications; an adverse reaction to an anaesthetic perhaps, an undescended testicle that has to be removed from inside the abdomen or a missing ovary. Perhaps an average cost of drugs per sterilisation would be R50 – however, this does not take account of the operating costs aside from drugs and time spent on the operation.
What are these operating costs?
Well, consider these - electricity, water, cleaning bills, wear and tear on (expensive) surgical equipment, staff wages, insurance, etc, etc, etc. SA Veterinary Council guidelines suggest an average break-even price overall would be about R400. If you would like to sponsor a sterilisation per month please use R400 as a guide – but remember, just R50 would cover the costs of the drugs and help us to make a huge difference to the well being and lifestyle of these animals.
We are sterilising approximately 50 animals a month at the moment but could do many more. If you cannot afford to assist us financially, why not volunteer a little of your time instead?
Untill next time.....
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