Survival of Animal Welfare Charity in Zimbabwe

AN UPDATE ON OUR ACHIEVEMENTS MUTARE SPCA, JUNE 17

MUTARE SPCA has, of late, had a hectically busy, mostly happy time. These little cameo stories written for our GlobalGiving forum are just a few things we have been able to do, thanks to the kind donations we have been receiving from you all. Every cent counts.

The Red Mum, who you will know from our earlier report, now has the most WONDERFUL home. She was chosen, along with her fat and fluffy pup, the Poo-Bear, to travel cross country to live on the banks of the beautiful, rugged Limpopo River, of Rudyard Kipling’s Elephant Story. These two are having the time of their lives, a dream life for an adventurous intelligent dog such as this, and her babe. Homes are so few and far between!

We recently confiscated a dreadfully abused, starved and terrified dog, who we named Little Hope, for both its meanings. She has a long and tough road ahead, but if love truly heals, she will be healed as she already has a home that is seeing her through this very tough recovery time. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page, MUTARE-SPCA, to see how well she is doing now. Hope is among the many in whose destiny we have intervened.

We have been in court three times. We now await the cattle cruelty case judgement, and we have another 2 somewhat traumatic cases ongoing. Wish us luck!  

Again, on high note, we are very proud to say that we have three newly qualified Inspectors, one of whom, Simba has been fortunate to be employed formally at the Mutare SPCA. The other two, William and Ange will be seconded if we can find the resources to do the same for them.  We DO have the work for them!

This past week was a wonderful one! Two volunteers and two of our recently qualified Inspectors travelled to the lush Honde Valley, along our eastern border with Mozambique. What a beautiful place, surrounded by phenomenal high ridges and weird rock outcrops. We joined up with another programme to participate in a 3 day mass vaccination and sterilisation campaign. By 8am on the 1^st day the long queue already spoke of the need for this effort, and hundreds came all day long in a heart-warming stream of people and dogs, every shape and every size. One by one, fearful of this completely new experience, uncertain on their necklace leads, or in cocky little packs, over confident and show-offy, (whats all this about, then?) they came.

Some had walked for miles, defying their puppyhood or old age. On the first day, over 500 dogs were vaccinated, and over 50 neutered or spayed.

Mutare SPCA certainly learned a lot. Watching our two new Inspectors counselling with kindness and patience the infinite line of dog owners made us proud, and fulfilled, until the last left, walking literally into the cool Hauna sunset. Some dogs, still a bit anaesthetic-wobbly, some aloft broad shoulders or carried in strong arms, all with a small packet of dog biscuits to take home.

But the day was not yet over for the Team. Preparations for the next day’s work, washing all the drapes and gowns, pressure-cooker sterilizing all the instruments, re-packing all the boxes and trunks had to be done before we finally sat down for a quiet dinner together. Sunrise over tea estates framed by mountains, hot tea in hand, it was a proud team that chatted on the broad NRE guesthouse verandah.

The next neuter, spay and vaccinate programme is in a week, 20^th June, and Mutare SPCA would be extremely grateful if some of their expenses could be covered, via a donation from Global Giving.  We would love to be able to host this programme to do the same closer to Mutare for the many unemployed and poor people that live here and in neighbouring rural areas.

Finally, in August Mutare SPCA again has the pleasure of hosting our biggest annual fundraiser: The SPCA Blue Cross. This 500km ultra distance event encompasses all disciplines, cycling, walking, horse-riding, and relays. The participants will go from the lowest point in Zimbabwe to the highest.  500kms of unsupported trekking through remote and rugged county. An adventure for the adventurous. All the SPCAs countrywide can receive donations from their respective communities.  COME AND DO IT FOR US! It’s the ultimate Ultra Event, or send a donation on GG to sponsor a participant from Mutare? It would mean the world to us if you did.

We live constantly looking for help, and for ways to save money, we look for homing opportunities, and a reason to go on.  To quote Winston Churchill loosely : (We will) NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

Please... if you have the wherewithal, make a donation to our cause. We make a big difference to the lives of many animals, without losing hope. We simply must not lose the infrastructure the past has set up for us, as it will be impossible to get restarted.