Meet Sal's beautiful dogs!

As day three of the clinic dawns, it is hard to describe the amazing atmosphere and team work that is making a real difference to the lives of so many cats and dogs on Sal.

People are flooding into the clinic and yet it isn't enough for the dedicated vets, Thomas and Ines.  Working like German machines (Thomas's words, not mine) they call out "how many dogs waiting?" and it doesn't matter what we reply, inevitably the next thing Thomas shouts is "BRING ME MORE!!!"

Monica, our wonderful benefactor, is constantly on the prowl, like some kind of Pied Piper, enticing more dogs to the clinic with little bits of food and continually feeding the street dogs that have been sterilised but are hanging around outside.   We seem to have developed a band of doggie groupies as well as a big band of schoolaged helpers.

It is really heartwarming to meet the animals and to meet the people who care for them, on the whole they show a real understanding of the benefits of sterilisation and although they might not have the means, they really want to take care of their pets.   The system of registration means that we get to know every dog's name and each dog is getting a lovely home-made collar, so they will forever be part of "our pack"!

Thanks to all the amazing volunteers so far, you know who you are!  Anyone can come down and get involved, you can call first for a slot, or just come by.

Sunday today and I have a feeling it is going to be a crazy day!

Sal City Hall condemns poisoning and says sterilisation is the answer

In an article in a Cape Verde national newspaper, A Nação, Vareador (Counciller) Antero Alfama announced a partnership with Cabo Verde Cats & Dogs in a campaign of sterilisation beginning in Santa Maria this month.  He stated that the "the action of poisoning is condemned by many", an action that continues today especially by hotels, a fact that many tourists are ignorant of and would be horrified about.

The City Hall's strategy of beginning in Santa Maria is because of the high number of tourists and the need to improve sanitation and image.  Sr Alfama acknowledged the international help that was necessary to achieve this initial step.

Another important aspect is education and outreach and this is being achieved by distributing colouring books in schools, about caring for animals and handing out leaflets to the population about the benefits of sterilisation.


The online version of the article can be read here.

Donate donate donate!!!!

Sorry, people tell me the donation links are a bit hard to find, so here they are!!  Thanks to everyone for the support.

€30 pays to sterilise a street dog Donate

€15 cures a street dog with painful and unsightly mange Donate

€10 pays for vaccination against killer diseases such as distemper Donate

€5 will give a dog or cat protection against fleas and ticks Donate

Or donate any another amount Donate

FREE Dog & Cat Clinic Sal January 14-24th

Free* treatment, sterilisation & vaccinations will be available for cats and dogs on Sal in two locations, Santa Maria & Palmeira.

The aim of the clinic is to reduce the population of stray dogs and cats in a humane way and to encourage responsible ownership and treatment of animals.

Volunteers are needed - can you give a little time?  You can help with leafleting (8 and 9 January),  collecting animals or assisting at the clinic between 9h-12h and 13h-17h (even a couple of hours would be very useful).

Vehicles are needed - if you have a pick up and can make it available to collect animals for a few hours please let us know.

Donations of collars and leads and flea and tick treatment are very welcome as are cash donations.

€30 pays to sterilise a street dog Donate

€15 cures a street dog with painful and unsightly mange Donate

€10 pays for vaccination against killer diseases such as distemper Donate

€5 will give a dog or cat protection against fleas and ticks Donate

Or donate any another amount Donate

There will be a volunteer evening  on 7th January where you can find out more and sign up to help (venue and time will be announced shortly).

For more information, to volunteer or to make a booking 
call 957 2162 

or email info(at)cvcatsanddogs.org (replace (at) with @).

This clinic is being made possible through the generosity of a private benefactor with the kind cooperation of the Câmara Muncipal do Sal & the Delegacia de Saude do Sal

* You will be asked to make a donation for any treatments/operations if you can afford it.

Old dog collars saves lives!

WE NEED YOUR OLD COLLARS AND LEADS!

The definition of ownership of dogs is a bit different here compared to Europe and many dogs walking freely around Sal may seem like strays but are in fact owned.  These dogs are at risk from removal and/or poisoning and unfortunately, many families here cannot afford to register their dogs or provide them with collars to show that they are owned.

We are providing a free registration scheme which will help to determine the true number of street dogs and would like to be able to give collars to all the dogs that are owned.  In January there will be a free sterilisation & vaccination clinic on Sal and treatment will only be given to registered dogs wearing collars.

We are busy making home-made collars from discarded rope, but we will not have enough for the number of dogs we anticipate will be treated.

If you have any old collars and leads or you are able to buy inexpensive ones in your country, Capeverdian families and their pets would very much appreciate them.  Any size or style welcome.

Billy with his new home-made collar

If you have a veterinarian or a petshop near you maybe they will let you put a collection box at the till. (People could also leave tick and flea treatment which is badly needed).




For an address to send any donated items to please email info(at)cvcatsanddogs.org (replace at with @)

A helping hand for street dogs

Helpful kids and little 'Fifi'

Last year Neal and I decided that as soon as the turtle season was over we would dedicate our time to helping the street dogs, something that has always been close to our hearts wherever we have lived or visited. Unfortunately after Rasher was killed we were so devastated we were unable to do anything.

Neal and Nindy

This year, though, feeling a little bit stronger, we are really pleased to participate in a very small project to demonstrate to the City Hall that many of the dogs in Santa Maria are a) owned and b) not suffering from incurable diseases.  It's a small experiment to see if it can be effective and if the people here want it.

A dog with sarcoptic mange BEFORE

The same dog just THREE WEEKS LATER!

For the last three weeks a group of us have been working with our great vet, Dra Fatima to treat free roaming dogs who have the symptoms of sarcoptic mange. This disfiguring disease is caused by a parasitic mite which causes hair loss, often leads to skin infections and is extremely miserable for the dogs that have.  Fortunately, it is not dangerous to humans.

Fifi

Happily for the dogs, it is really easily treated, the main problem is catching the dogs! The owners of the affected dogs were contacted and all of them wanted the dogs to be treated but had not gone to the vet because they could not afford the cost. After only one injection radical changes can be seen and the owners are delighted that their dogs are healthy and happy again!

Princesa

Anderson & puppies after worming

Fifi is always hard to catch

Word is spreading that Fridays at 17h/5pm there will be a free street clinic for dogs with mange and there is no doubt that the work is appreciated by the people in the area (judging by the number of people who want to buy us drinks!). We are also using this time to talk to people about responsible ownership (registration, vaccination & putting collars on their dogs) and how we should all try to reduce the number of dogs on Sal through sterilisation.

It's been a real delight to see that people do really care about their dogs!

Natal & Pontas with his new collar

Everyone is welcome to help. We can be found in the area north of Patio Antigo & Relax every Friday.

If you are not in Sal but would like to help you can pay for a dog's treatment via PayPal. A course of medicine costs €15 (Dra Fatima works for free) and we will send you photos of the dog that you have helped.

Dogs in Zona Antonio de Sousa

So many people have been asking me about whether the Câmara Municipal do Sal can or will remove dogs from any area and in particular this zone that I decided to arrange a couple of meetings to investigate. Here's what I found out:

1. The CM Sal will not remove any dog that is owned, therefore it is in your interest to register your dog (CVE200 at the CM building in Espargos) and to put a collar on them.
2. There is no legal requirement to keep your dog inside your house.
3. Placing poison in a public place is a crime since it endangers human health. This applies to individuals as well as to institutions. I will help anyone to start the legal process if there is evidence of a dog or cat being deliberately poisoned.

In Zona Antonio de Sousa I believe that there are no unowned dogs, so there is no reason to be fearful.

This is the official information that I have been given from sources that I feel are reliable, but remember where we live - anything could happen, so my advice is to be cautious and watchful.

In addition, it is reasonable for people to expect us to minimise the disturbance or nuisance caused by our animals, and as responsible dog owners it is in our, and our animals, best interest.