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October 2008 |
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Thank you, Geoffrey McCartney and Eric Solis Marketing Limited for our regular free printing! The deadline for the next newsletter is January 15th 2008. Please send copy to the Editor, Patricia A Green |
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Report on SPOTT Project, October 11-15, 2008 • FINDING TAMMY • SOUSE - THE QUENK • SCOOBIE NEEDS A HOME • DATES FOR YOUR DIARY • MR WINGS • THANKS |
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| Report on SPOTT Project, October 11-15, 2008
We have completed the first component of the SPOTT Project in the north coast communities of Blanchisseuse, and Maracas/ Las Cuevas. This project has brought veterinary services to the communities and has introduced the concept of spaying/ neutering as a means of improving the health of individual animals, and promoting the general welfare of the community through the humane control of the dog population. Over the four day period, a total of 130 surgeries were performed of which 78 were spays and 52 were neuters. An additional 128 dogs were examined in the clinic. All dogs were vaccinated, wormed and sprayed for fleas and ticks (some volunteers suggested that they should also be treated for fleas and ticks). The project was initiated with a survey of the three main communities. The results of the survey indicated that access to veterinary care was limited, few dogs were vaccinated, almost no dogs were spayed or neutered and the majority of persons were unfamiliar with the concept of neutering.
An outreach programme was developed to get information into the communities on the benefits of Our first client in spaying and to advertise the free Blanchisseuse clinics. Meetings were held with the village councils, visits were made to schools in the area to discuss general pet care and the benefits of spaying, flyers advertising the programme were posted in shops, bars and community centres. Banners were put up closer to the dates and megaphone announcements were arranged before and during the clinics.
Local contacts were relied upon for local knowledge and to assist in spreading the word. In order to gather support for the programme, presentations were made
to the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary
Association (TTVA) and the Regional Corporation for that area. This entailed the setting up of a full veterinary hospital with surgery room, clinic area, recovery area and waiting area.
This worked well in Blanchisseuse where we had access to a large, secure facility with adequate electricity and water, but was more of a challenge in Maracas where the pavilion washroom served as the surgery area with all other areas under tents. The Maracas clinic had to be set up and taken down every day and this added to the general work load.
Members of AWN and the TTSPCA assisted with the transport of equipment, drugs and materials, and the setting up of the clinics. They also managed the intake of patients and recorded preliminary data, and assisted with preparations for surgery and the recovery of the animals after surgery. They also saw to it that meals and drinks were provided and at the end of the day, they dismantled the clinics, cleaned the facilities and transported everything back to our base at the TSPCA.Kelly O’Meara of Humane Society International (HSI), a partner in this project brought in Dr Gwen Davis to assist us with the clinics. Dr Davis worked tirelessly (but still managed to find the energy to enjoy a steelband concert). Local veterinarians pitched in, and there were four vets performing surgeries at all times and another two or three vets handling the clinics. We are very grateful to Drs Ferrier, Pidduck, Fernandes and Cappon, and to members of the executive of the TTVA – Drs Warren, Mc Kenzie, Jasper and Young who came out to assist. We are also grateful to the veterinary assistants including Linda Bates, Mark Haynes, and Gina Goindoo, and to the many students of the vet school who came out.
We recognize that this initial effort will not solve the problem of strays in these communities and that this will require an ongoing effort. It has however demonstrated to us there are many who are interested in the welfare of their animals, they recognize that they cannot allow their dogs to breed continuously and if it is within their means they are willing to have them neutered. The SPOTT Project would not have been possible without the hard work and special efforts of the Project Team including: Michelle Lourenco, Sara Maynard, Andrea Cochran, Shira Mohammed, Pat Green, Rebecca Ferrier, Emily Cappon. We are also very grateful to Propac, Signpost and. Hyline Labels and CMB Advertising for their sponsorship of the outreach programme, to Samantha for preparing the artwork and to Brenda Pakeerah of the Newsday and Rachel Stampfli of the Express, for ensuring that we received news coverage. Sita Kuruvilla, Project Coordinator
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I am normally picked up in the afternoons at my office, which is located at the bottom of St. Vincent Street but this day the traffic was extra heavy. I called my son, who was on his way to pick me up but was stuck in the traffic, and I told him that I would walk up to the corner of Edward Street and Tragarete Road. While waiting on the corner, balancing my bags, I saw this wet, dirty little dog which was trembling (possibly because she thought one of my bags would eventually fall on her, adding to her horrible day). She passed close to me and I noticed she had a slight limp. I also noticed she was wearing a purple collar. I immediately remembered the “Lost Dog” advertisement I recently read, especially the “purple collar”, so I carefully approached the dog, unsure of her temperament at this point and tried to keep her close to me until my son arrived. A few times she started to walk off but I put on my best assertive voice and called her back to my side. Luckily she proved obedient. She must have known that she was in safe hands or too tired to move anymore, either way, she stayed put. An employee of Lewis Electrical, seeing my predicament, brought me a box to keep the dog in. When my son finally arrived, I tried to juggle the bags in one hand and a wet, trembling dog in a sizeable box in my other hand, only to realize that my son was not alone in the car. However, I rationalized to myself, "somebody will have to get out, because this dog and I are on our way to Maraval”. Eventually, with some shifting and squeezing we were finally on our way home. I am sure everyone in the car thought I was crazy! When we got home I immediately checked the newspapers for the number and was told by the owner that she lived in Fairways as well. She arrived before I could put down the phone but what a joy it was to see the greeting and happiness between owner and pet. Finding Tammy was certainly worth it! Rosa Garcia
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This is the record of Souse, the little quenk I am currently fostering. On the 9th of October around 5p.m. Sita was at my desk (at the TTSPCA) when she received a call regarding a pig. After eavesdropping on the call, I immediately called my friend who has a pig farm in Freeport and asked if he would take the animal in, to which he readily agreed. The call was then transferred the call to me and I spoke to the lady on the phone. The information I got was that her husband brought home the little pig and is was a baby. She wasn’t very forthcoming and I couldn’t get the facts straight from her. It seemed the little pig was found in Santa Cruz at which I expressed surprise. How did a pig end up in the road, especially a baby? I told the lady to let her husband bring it in and we will see about it. I called her husband in the morning and got a little more to the story. He told me it wasn’t a normal pig it was a wild pig commonly known as a quenk. The story made more sense now. He brought it in the same day in a box. The little thing wasn’t moving her hind legs and was very stressed from the drive. The man said he had stopped by the side of the road and got out, then turned to see this animal behind him. He picked it up and took it home and was caring for it but he couldn’t provide all the medical attention it needed. I then took the little pig to a veterinary clinic, where x-rays were taken. No bone damage was found. The quenk was then referred to a veterinarian who has experience with wild animals. She was prescribed antibiotics and steroids. Treatment for little Souse, as I have called her, began with leg therapy. Massaging and encouraging her to move her legs. This was met with a lot of protest from souse and more protest when I gave her a bath. However, she has lived up to her name as a pig. She eats like one, smells like one and certainly behaves like one. She loves bread and milk and apples. I am not quite sure what the future holds for this poor creature, but I believe that every animal deserves a chance. If she can be saved and rehabilitated it will be a great example to show people that with a little care and patience and determination from Souse a life can be saved. Tisha Motilal
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Just look at Scoobie, a proud and beautiful dog, with soft, golden coat. He has a sweet nature and would make a good family dog. He was rescued with a wound on the right side of his head. In the course of treatment, his right ear flap had to be amputated. As you can see from the photo, this hardly detracts from his elegant appearance and, of course, does not affect his hearing. He would love to join your family. He’s been with us a long time – won’t you offer him a home?
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Spay Week 2008 – is carded for the week of November 17th to 21st. For our fourth Spay Week, we are again depending on the co-operation of veterinarians around the country to make it a success. Last year over 480 spays and neuters were performed so we hope to pass the 500 mark this year. Spay Week is aimed at owners of “Pothounds” who would not otherwise be able to cover the cost of the operation. The owner is required to pay a small fee and AWN pays a similar amount but the total fee is still significantly less than the normal amount charged. A Concert – to raise funds for AWN will be held on November 29th. Wendy Sheppard will be visiting Trinidad and has agreed to sing.. Other well-known performers have been approached and their names will be announced in due course.We will keep you posted as to location and time but for now, just keep November 29th open in your diaries.
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AWN recently received a call concerning a horse tied in a yard. The horse had severe wounds about the body which according to the caller, seemed to be infected. The call was passed on to Tisha (a TTSPCA staff member) who, assisted by Dr. Rossi (Equine Vet.) went out to the site and inspected the horse. “Mr. Wings” (a site visit was done by Tisha previously to determine the condition of the horse). “Mr. Wings” the horse was apparently being held by a friend of the owner, and they didn’t know what to do with him, as his injuries meant that he couldn’t be moved without a horse box. The story behind ‘Mr. Wings is vague; however, it seems that the horse may have been injured by a car, the injuries were left to get infected and maggots then took over. The owner of the property was informed about the unacceptable condition of the horse and after the relinquishment of the horse to the TTSPCA by the owner; arrangements were made to remove him.
You will be pleased to know that “Mr. Wings” has found a home with a member, where he will live out his days being loved. His wounds are healed and he is magnificent! (It never ceases to amaze me how an animal can go through such a terrible time, and yet be so gentle and willing to trust). The rescue of “Mr. Wings” could not have been possible without the outpouring of support by members of AWN, TTSPCA and the general public made aware of the plight of this horse (through the donated ads from the Newsday and the stories written about him). Members came not only to give money, but supplies and a loving touch. We are grateful for their generosity. As a final note: In recent times both organizations have received quite a few calls regarding horses roaming on highways and being kept in less than ideal circumstances. The Arima racing association has been contacted and both organizations are asking their members that horses NOT be given to ‘just anyone”, a horse is an extremely expensive animal to maintain and handing them to persons that can’t provide the correct care, is frankly irresponsible.
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| The TTSPCA & the Animal Welfare Network would like to thank the following persons: Tisha / Annie Forgenie / Peter Adam / Valerie Surujdeen / Melissa Christopher / Sadia Ali / Carmena Baird /Aegis Employees / Kurt Allahar / Mr Douglas Bennet / Janice Gransuall / Mr Bertram /Marissa Ramcharan / Ramesh / Dr Rossi Bridgelal / Kerri Clarke / Louisa Chapman / Moira O’Brien / Skyline Freight / Mr La Borde / Mrs Giselle Harris / T.T.S.P.C.A Team / Cool clinic Brent Johnson / Scotia Bank / Mr Pinhero / Mrs Elizabeth Gillezeau / Mr Kenneth De Pass / C Charles / Mr Conyers / Carla Gonourie / Mrs Margaret Hadeed / Mrs Patricia Hadeed / Mr Robin Harrypaul / Mrs Karen Batoo / Mrs Patricia Dockerty / Mr Allum / Fluid Technology Ltd. / Standfleet Investment. Many thanks also to those that donated anonymously. Sara Maynard-Agostini
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Address: P.O. Box 6354, Carenage Post Office, Carenage, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. • Tel (answering service): 1 868 627 3449 • Email: animalwelfarenwk@yahoo.com |
AWN
was contacted, they paid for the horse transport and the vet inspection,
but where could he go? The answer TTSPCA, this was not ideal, but, at
such short notice, room was made in the site of the new puppy run. ‘Mr.
Wings’ was now a guest of both AWN and TTSPCA where this gentle animal
was cleaned and washed while his wounds were attended to by Tisha daily,
along with regular vet treatments. Eventually a temporary stable was
found where care, rest, and treatment could continue. (Both the TTSPCA
and AWN funded his care)