Promoting welfare of dogs in rural South Africa

Working with the dogs in Sigagule village is rewarding work, but sometimes also difficult - as we stumble upon cases of sick dogs, or wounded dogs that we have to deal with. The Nourish animal outreach team consists of Martin, and Tinkyiko; occasionally helped by Benneth. These 3 people have grown so much, in their compassion, connection to animals, and ability to handle dogs. Where at first Benneth was apprehensive, he the other day carried a dog home because it was a bit sore to walk. This kindness - we cannot but believe- creates ripples! 

This December we had a few sad cases; and a few dogs to euthanise, this is because of a few canine diseases such as Parvo which could be prevented ( and usually is, in household pets in well off homes or cities, where the dieases is then almost eradicated) through a simple 5-in-1 vaccination. This costs R 200 and required 2 trips to the vet. For 99.9% of the population in Sigagule, this amount signifies a week of food at least, this is an amount they do not have surplus and cannot spend on a dog. The sad reality is this causes many unnecessary deaths, and facing this in December led us to starting off the year committing to raise more funds, so that each dog we sterilize can now get the 5-in-1 injection, and thus not only have  a better life because of being spayed or castrated but also live a stronger happier healthier life. 

More than ever we are grateful to everyone who supported our campaign to sterilize dogs, and to put a cage on the back of our vehicle to transport them safely. Without being on the ground here, you cannot understand the impact of what you have made possible. Over 100 dogs sterilized, and ripples beyond belief. So much more than just sterilizations... so thank you! 

Our dog sterilization project has slowed down a little bit, ( since Mandela Day, when we ran the sterilization campaign and managed to sterilize 20 dogs at the Nourish eco village, lots of state vet support, volunteers and of course dogs!) Now we are working to raise the funds for our backlog of female dogs... this is financially, logistically and time-wise more expensive, as we can collect 2 dogs, and take them to the veterinary clinic in a neighboring village, minimum half hour drive away.. we then need to drive again later to fetch the dogs after a full day.  Whilst the male dogs could be sterilized during campaigns and in the field, due to a female dogs sterilization being more internatl and thus more invasive, sanitary surgical surroundings are a must, so all female dogs must be done in the clinic theatre. But its so worth it- for every female we sterilize we hugely reduce the number of unwanted and unafforded puppies, and thus reduce puppy mortality rates, so we know its a worthy battle and just to keep pushing. 

Despite the slow progress, we have sterilized 90 dogs so far in our community, and successfully treated and cured 14 cases of TVT ( sexually transmitted cancer) we are also seeing the standard of health and welfare in the dogs in the village improving, through our steady dip and deworm program as well as owners understanding how to take better care of their pets. This education process is a big part of the importance of the work we do! Even just seeing the behaviour change in the children at Nourish, has been special.... nowdays one can find a child, who was previously scared of dogs, stroking our adopted dogs at their own free-will. This animal kindness and behaviour change, is a big ripple effect... so despite us feeling we are achieving a mere drop in the bucket, seeing these ripples makes us realise its all worthwhile.

thank you as always to our local partners African Dream and HALO, as well as all the funders that keep making our education, outreach and sterilization work a possibility.