Namibia, August-November: What your donations have accomplished
In Namibia, Erika von Gierszewski, long-time animal welfare volunteer, oversees the use of AKI funds. We're so lucky to have her. She's on the ground, she's been involved in animal welfare in Namibia for decades, and she's very careful with how she uses your donations! Here is what your contributions to AKI have accomplished in Namibia in the last 4 months. (See AKI Blog posts about Have A Heart-Namibia to read about how they spend the $$ that Erika gives to HAH).
Katatura Vet Care & Pet Food Distribution
Once a month, Erika and other volunteers go to Katutura, a sprawling township area outside of Windhoek. They bring cat and dog food, treats for the children, vet supplies, including dip for fleas and ticks on dogs and flea/tick powder for cats. Fleas and ticks are a huge problem for cats and dogs in Katutura and besides being uncomfortable, they carry several diseases. Sometimes the volunteers bring paper and crayons so the kids can draw pictures of their pets. The idea is to inculcate an attitude of caring for pets. The monthly Feeding & Dipping Days have become a day of fun for everyone, especially for the children, a day they look forward to.
Animal-Kind International provides funds for cat and dog food and vet supplies. The volunteers contribute food as well, and Erika raises money for this effort by selling crafts and other items. Erika also uses AKI funds to spay cats and dogs from Katutura--but so much more is needed to address the cat and dog overpopulation problem in this area.
Below are pictures from Feeding & Dipping Days in August, October, and November.
The pictures below are from Feeding and Dipping Day in Katutura on October 6.
From Erika: On Saturday morning, November 10, we went feeding and dipping again. Most of the dogs are still in good condition and the owners look after their dogs, cats and rats. But of course, a lot of puppies again (we will try to get as many females spayed as possible). And also some sick dogs and we phoned the SPCA to get them (as none of us could get them into our cars). I’m waiting from the SPCA to hear what they will do. I left some dip with the kindergarten teachers where we always set up. I also showed them how much to use and they said they will also dip if there is a need.
Besides the Katutura Vet Care & Pet Distribution Project, Erika uses AKI donations to spay dogs in Aranos, a farming community, where the people rely on their dogs, but families are very poor and there is no vet care. During October and November, we funded spay surgery of 4 dogs, pictured below.
Erika also sends AKI funds to rural SPCAs (outside of Windhoek), where raising money for animal welfare is very difficult, they are under-served as far as vet care, and they have significant animal welfare problems. The rural SPCAs use our funds to purchase cat and dog food, for vet care, and to purchase shelter supplies. Oshana SPCA is one of the recipients of AKI funds, they are the newest SPCA, and a very active SPCA!
Here's some news from Wilmarie Horn with Oshana SPCA:
October 9: We received a phone call to come and help a bitch who did not want to feed her puppies. Perry gave birth to 10 puppies and one died. The puppies were full of mango fly maggots. The maggots were expressed and the holes treated with antibiotic spray. Perry will be sterilized and she and the pups will receive vaccinations against parvo and rabies. They have all been de-wormed.
Nugget was found roaming the streets. He is a pit bull mix and his tail is docked, which is a criminal offence in Namibia. He was placed in foster care. After the 2nd day in foster care, he refused to eat and had no energy. He started vomiting terribly. We took him to the vet and he had parvo in an advanced stage. With veterinary care and old remedies, he was nursed back to health. His owners were also found and we will return him to them after a strict home check.
Some members of Oshana SPCA are putting out water and food for stray dogs in the street. The bowls get stolen on a weekly basis and have to be replaced but the strays are beginning to put on weight and looking better. These two decided to take a nap at the eating spot, tummies too full to move.
We picked up a 3 month old goat in Ongwediva. Her back leg was broken. The owner never claimed her and she was adopted and receiving care for the leg to heal.
On 23 July, Oshana SPCA appointed an animal welfare inspector. Filipus Shilongo has a degree in Animal Science and a Certificate in Human Ethics and Animal Rights. He investigates all complaints and educates people on how to properly take care of their pets and other animals.
Oshana SPCA not only rescues cats and dogs (and the occasional goat), they inspect the surrounding towns' livestock impound pens, which have a history of being in poor shape and not providing optimal care for the livestock they impound. On 24 September 2018, Inspector Filipus inspected the Outapi Town Council livestock impound pens and found that the animals were in overall in good condition. However, the shade is not adequate and the inspector educated the pound master on cleaning the troughs. The animals receive sufficient food every day. A follow up inspection will follow.
