Good day to all the Harare SPCA supporters , sponsors and
animal lovers in Zimbabwe.
I would like to begin by extending an enormous thank you to
everyone that has contributed, in some way, to the welfare of the animals in
our care. Individuals and companies have donated time, funds, advice and
donations in kind, that have enabled us to keep the Harare SPCA doors open to
the public and their pets. There have been people that have given us
encouragement and some that have expressed regret for not being in a
position to donate anything but they have sent us the kindest e mails and
messages and their emotional support has been invaluable. There are days when
there seems to be no light at the end of the darkest of tunnels. Desperation,
anxiety and despondency have gripped the hearts of the management, staff and
volunteers at the Harare SPCA. Tears have been shed and the horror
we have witnessed in the way of cruelty and neglect, go beyond our
understanding. Well, as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough
get going. There is no choice but to face the problems and to endeavour
to make a difference.
2014 has been the busiest of years with an average of 1000
animals coming through the doors every month. The Harare SPCA has treated,
vaccinated, euthanized, spayed, neutered and re-homed cats and dogs and a
variety of other animals. Our mobile clinic has travelled to high density areas
to reach those who cannot bring their animals to the surgery.
Yes, the statistics are staggering and the work has
been overwhelming but we have dragged our way to the end of this very difficult
year and we have great plans for 2015.
The biggest hurdle we have had to face is finance. The
operational costs of Harare Spca are approximately $40 000 per month which are
partially subsidised through adoptions,, treatments and boarding. The Society
continuously struggles under this huge financial burden, given the current
economical environment our financial burden is increasing exponentially. Most
of the individuals who bring their pets to us cannot afford the treatment and
therefore the SPCA has to absorb most of the costs.
Our main challenge is the welfare of the animals. This year
has seen the highest number of animals surrendered by owners. Every day cats
and dogs are handed over - no longer wanted, and the owners do not make a
donation towards their future upkeep or veterinary requirements. Basically
they are dumped and left. The society never turns any animal away. We accept
healthy as well as dying and seriously injured animals and ask no questions. We
encourage owners not to abandon animals and we are inundated with requests to
collect sick and aggressive dogs and endless litters of puppies and kittens. We
also trap, sterilize and release feral cats on a daily basis. Feral dogs are
becoming a common sight . The majority of the feral animals we are able
to catch are diseased, and carriers of highly contagious canine and
feline viruses . Rabies is not uncommon.
Another huge concern is the large number of missing dogs .
We have been contacted by owners who know that their animals have been stolen.
An anonymous caller recently witnessed one of her dogs being hauled over her
garden wall. The popular breeds are disappearing on a daily basis and are being
used for breeding, selling, guarding, and fighting or bait for fighting
in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries. Some stolen dogs have been found for sale
by vendors on street corners . A few have been reunited with their owners
but the majority are still unaccounted for. The best advice we can offer is to
spay or neuter your pets and make it known to your staff that your cats/dogs
will no longer be able to breed. Microchip your pets. This is the absolute
proof of ownership you have for your pets. It also ensures quick identification
of animals that are picked up and taken to vets and welfare organizations. Many
lost and stray dogs and cats do resurface months after their disappearance and
by then some owners have given up looking for them. Microchips are available at
most vets and at the Harare SPCA. Please ensure that the microchip has been
registered by your vet. Some vets may ask that you do this yourself. We have
had animals come in to our kennels that are chipped but unregistered which is
extremely frustrating and in the end we have had no choice but to re-home the
animals.
Many domestic pets escape from the safety of their
homes because of their fear of thunder storms and the constant use of
fireworks in our neighbourhoods. Pets are found wandering on the streets and
are fearful, confused and disorientated. They do not always trust the
people that try to catch them. They roam around aimlessly and often wander far
from home. Some have been picked up and not handed over to the correct
authorities, some are victims of hit and run accidents and others are stolen
and sold or hidden and bred continuously. Kindly note that if you are able to
pick up a stray, the correct procedure is to drop the animal off at your
nearest vet so it can be scanned, and checked over. Leave the animal with the
vet or take it to the Harare SPCA. PLEASE DO NOT KEEP THE PET AT YOUR
RESIDENCE. We have had incidents when people have found dogs
and taken them home for safekeeping but the dogs have escaped - into
totally unfamiliar territory and are on the run again and have not yet been
found. One dog escaped from a “safe place” and was hit and killed just outside
the gate. Owners looking for their pets will contact welfare centres and vets.
Report any lost or found animal to all welfare societies and vets and place
adverts and photographs on the Harare SPCA Face Book page and on the ”Zim
Pets Lost and Found” page on Face Book.
Lastly, we would like to encourage all potential pet owners
to opt to adopt from a shelter. Dogs vary from purebreds to delightful
mongrels, from puppies to elderly dogs and from miniatures to giants. Cats come
in all ages, colours and temperaments - all yearn for the comfort of a home.
They have experienced fear and loneliness. They show their joy and
excitement when they have visitors and I know that deep down they are always
looking out for their owners. Their eyes speak volumes .They may be safe and
fed and sheltered but they are not living the life they deserve. They need
affection and understanding. Above all, they will love you unconditionally.
Remember that their fragile futures depend on whether people adopt or go
out and buy a pet. The reality is that we euthanize more than 250 animals
per month. A sad thought to ponder on - but where would we home 250 extra
animals per month and who would pay to feed them and vaccinate them? Who would
pay the wages for extra staff to look after the animals and where would we find
the funds to build more and more kennels to shelter these poor innocent
victims?
2014 has seen an amazing transformation in our facilities
and a huge improvement in the levels of medical care we are able to extend to
the many animals in need. We are the largest veterinary care providers in
Zimbabwe.Harare SPCA follows the highest standards of animal shelter and
welfare controls for the animals in our care. We never overcrowd kennels
as this leads to aggression, anxiety and kennel stress. Hygiene controls are
strictly monitored and we feed good quality meals twice daily. Our hospital
treats all the animalsin our care and all are spayed or neutered before they
are re-homed. All adopted animals leave micro chipped.
Ideally we should only be here to act as the bridge from a
shelter to a home but the reality is that the majority of the cats and dogs in
our care will never leave. They will only know life in a cage. Some are
born in the shelter and will die in the shelter without ever being owned or
loved. Who is to blame ?
If you are not in the position to adopt please volunteer
your time. There are dogs that need exercise and cats that love being brushed.
Puppies and kittens need to be socialized and played with. We just do not have
enough hands to do all of this. The emotional wellbeing of the animals is of
absolute importance to us but the numbers are high and volunteers always
dwindle down to the regular few.
Last but not least, I must say that working and volunteering
at any animal shelter is physically and emotionally draining and exceptionally
stressful but I have had the honour of working alongside the most
amazing, generous, courageous and humble people . These men and women are
selfless and just keep at it despite all the difficulties. Where would
all the neglected, unwanted and abused animals be without them? I have met
animals that have fought all the odds stacked against them and they have
survived. They have learnt to love unconditionally and to protect.
All we ask for as we enter the New Year, is your support and
understanding. Do not breed or buy whilst shelter pets die. Lend a helping
hand. Call us and ask what you can assist with.
Spay , neuter and microchip.
Oh and ps. a new mobile clinic would come in handy, as ours,
a vintage of note, has given up and died J
Wishing you all the very best
for 2015
Desi Hacker (Harare Spca
Council)
No comments:
Post a Comment