I've collected the collars and leashes for Loate Community clinic..but now I wanted to see what it was really all about..so on this day, I decided to join forces with Dr. Qekwana and step out of my comfort zone..
The clinic is set up at the police station in Loate, Shoshanguwe..this is a rural area with high crime rates and poverty an every day challenge..
Pets roam about in the streets without knowing who has owners and who are strays..but on a clinic day the line for treatment of pets is daunting and never-ending!
The Clinic setup is simple and basic. The most common treatment is injection of rabies and 5-in-1 for puppies, dewormer and Frontline. Many of the puppies are dehydrated and undernourished. There is a serious need for education on breeding and nutrition for puppies. The owners try to leave pups with the bitch for as long as possible to cut on feeding costs..but the bitch herself is often malnourished and does not produce enough milk. Without access to fresh water and the decreasing amounts of milk from Mom, the pups become dehydrated..which is life-threating! These two pups have been waiting for 3 hours in the sun for their vaccines.
This is Bruce..a 3 month old Bullterrier - and his owner who really loves him! Many of the people bringing their pets are quite oblivious to their animals, showing little interaction and incompetent handling skills..but seeing an owner who really cares gives me hope! Bruce's owner even asked me if the injection would alot and if it was right hurting his dog like that..this is the kind of thing I like hearing!
We loaded about 15 animals for castration or sterilization. Another complicated case needing emergency hospital care was a bitch with a vaginal prolapse - she had puppies later that same morning!
More and more pet owners are willing to have their animals sterilized, but especially pit bull owners will just refuse..
All in all, this was an amazing day! Tkank you sister Sarah for your guidance and the wonderfull work you are doing at Loate! I will volunteer every chance I get...this is afterall where we can get down and dirty in the real world and make a difference!
