P O Box 29, Caye Caulker, Belize, Central America
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P O Box 29, Caye Caulker, Belize, Central America |
....Most recent first!!
MARCH 25th, 2011 - WORLD VETS COME!
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WORLD VETS. They saw, they came, they conquered! Bringing much needed help to us in our Spay and Neuter Program. 9 months of planning paid off as in an amazing trial of duty they blazed through nearly 40 Spay and Neuters here on Caye Caulker and even looked like they enjoyed it! So many thanks to them all and there is more info on that on the SPAY AND NEUTER page. We were asked to provide accommodations etc for them, and we would like thank the following: Costa Maya, Wish Willy Cabanas, Da Real Macaw, Casa Papaya and Carlos Tours, Raouls Tents, Chans Take Out, for your kind donations to this super important week! Thank you to all involved. Below, Here are some pics of their last night as we had them head to head on the Caye Caulker Trivia Night! I am not allowed to say who won! |
MARCH 2011 - SCHOOLS - GUEST LECTURERS
When the World Vets came to help us with the SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM, we also asked them to visit the schools in order to help carry out our campaign of teaching the youngsters of the Island about how to treat their pets, promote Spay and Neuter and show them how to care for puppies, kittens, and even one coatamundi! They took along a patient, the puppy we had spayed that day, and went to both the Ocean Academy High School and the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic Primary School! Lots of kids! They did great and had a wonderful audience as young children were prompted to listen to the heartbeat of the young pup with the stethascope.
As vet, Dr Michelle Ward, (pictured below) said "It is amazing us to watch their faces as they listen to the heartbeat of the dog. You see how they suddenly realise that this is a living, breathing, part of their lives". From our point of view we know that listening to a real vet, not just the same old people they see everyday will make sure that the message gets across in a much more sustainable way. As Cooper said "Those great scrubs got my attention too"!!
MARCH 2011 - CAT TRAP FOR US TO CATCH THE KITTIES!
Thanks to Nicole Divitcoff and her friend, Derick McChesney in Toronto Canada, we now have a live cat-trap to call our own. Feral cats are extremely hard to catch and of course we would like to Spay and Neuter them and if young like these little guys, then find good homes for them. We had left the cage, unbaited, outside one night, and when we got there in the morning, these little guys were just having a fabulous time in there! Took some pics, and sent them on their way to new homes! All healthy and happy and climbing all over the place! Too young to get fixed just then, and on the list for early May when Dr Zeke returns to the fold! Thanks so much Nicole and Derick! As you can see below, Nicole very sensibly managed to use the trap as part of her packing and put her things inside it to save on the extra baggage charge! Nicole, in red pictured below, in handover of the cat-trap to Amanda of CCHS with her very interested dog Scrumpy. If you would like to know more about Derrick and his undertakings, here is the link to http://swatwildlife.com/.
JANUARY 2011 - ANIMAL CONTROL ON CAYE CAULKER
The Caye Caulker Village Council asked for our help and advice over the control of the dog and cat population. Within the laws of Belize, the only other previously legal way to deal with population issues was a large scale poisoning of the animals admistered through food and treats. This time, the CCVC along with our supporters and volunteers, helped advise the CCVS on an alternative method. We expound the view that, unfortunatly, there will be times that animals need to be euthanised, and with this in mind, our watchword is 'Humane". We were happy to provide a vet to carry out any needed eradications, but also counselled that if dog and cat owners are unaware of other dog and cat related laws, for example the leash law, that it would be unfair on those dogs and owners who simply were unaware. As a result, the CCVC campainged through TV advertising what these laws are, and that if dogs and cats are found wondering abroad, then there would unfortunately be an unwanted eradication. Within days, the dogs and cats on the streets was halved but it became clear after a month or two, the we would indeed have to help with an eradication. We helped the CCVC wiht funding as they met us halfway and we euthanised 8 dogs. We are hoping that with continued support from the people of Caye Caulker and the Village Council that this process will not need to be repeated too frequently.
Future plans are that we all work together to come up with a plan to keep the populations under control and those dog owners (in particualr dogs here), that have proven to be unreliable, are held accountable for any dangerous, mal-treated or recently strayed dogs. The proposal at this point is a DOG REGISTRATION. This way, fines could be collected to help the CCVC with funding this, and other departments such as Police and Traffic Department can help out with information leading to dogs being taken away from owners who prove to be at fault. There is much fine tuning needed with this project at this time, but with the Caye Caulker Village Council and the Caye Caulker Humane Society working together we hope to be implementing a plan soon!
As an aside, to those people that live overseas, I think a word on the history of how things progress here in Belize might put help you realise what our acheivements have been. Within 18 months and with much help from all of the above mentioned folks, we think we are perhaps the first district in Belize to be able to implement a humane way in which to deal with the population of dogs and cats here. All over the USA, Canada, Central America, and Europe, this very same problem persists, and as we are lucky enough to be small enough and an island that we think we really have a good chance of pulling this off! Thanks to all of you.
This was in the SAN PEDRO SUN NEWSPAPER March 2011
"The plan involved the implementation of a Public Awareness Campaign. “Through local media and public meetings, the Caye Caulker residents were informed of the rules and regulations regarding owning a pet,” said Caye Caulker Village Chairman, Mr. Alberto Villanueva. “Owners were encouraged to start practicing the leashing law – which stated that if a dog is in public, it must at all times, be held on a leash.”
He agreed that the public awareness campaign has been working well. Most dog owners now ensure that their dogs are behind closed gates/fences and that when in public, their pets are on a leash. However, the problem of the strays remains.
As a result, the Caye Caulker Village Council, in conjunction with the Caye Caulker Humane Society have embarked on a program that seeks to eradicate stray dogs that are not cared for and eventually, in the long run – provide a system where pets are controlled and are registered.
In the initial phase, dogs found in any public areas at the night time will be picked up by a team including, the local Health Inspector, a Police Sergeant, a Village Council worker and a member of the Caye Caulker Humane Society. If the dog possesses a collar with information in regards to ownership, such owner will be informed and granted the opportunity to pick up his/her dog. In cases where dogs show no sign of ownership, the animals will be put down.
According to Chairman Villanueva, “The process is very painless. A member from the Humane Society insisted that the team witness it. The dog is first administered a tranquilizer, in the form of an injection, which takes about five minutes to work. This is followed by the administering of a second injection, which puts them to sleep within the minute”.
The first phase of the eradication project was held on Thursday March 17, between the hours of 11:00pm and 2:00am, when eight dogs were picked up and humanely put to rest. Future plans include the implementation of a system where all pet owners will be required to register each pet. The details of that program are not complete as yet, but that is where the Council is gearing towards."
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CAYE
CAULKER 'MEDICART'
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UPDATE: 27 Nov 2010 |
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At our usual brainstorming sessions, we came to believe that some of the less well off on our little island, may be too timid or were otherwise unable to bring their dogs to us, so we decided to take the Clinic 'On the Road'. Debbie made us a bunch of signs and we loaded up with medicine, vaccinations, heartworm meds, treats, collars, and all of our volunteers. It was a beatiful day, and we all got sunburned! Last thing we thought to remember was sunblock! So - off we went to the Bahia area first, and met with lots of people, dogs, cats, and the local kids helped us work out where the owners were and with our unfluent spanish where we needed it! We gave the dogs vaccines, helped with information on caring for their animals, gave out worming and heartworm meds. We nearly lost a few older carts in the mud! The lower ones such as those on the right, were not really that good at getting through the mulch and some careful driving and a little bit of pushing helped us through. Thankfully the other golf carts were a little higher with the larger wheels and could slosh through about everything. After that we went to the neighbourhood to the west of Back Street. Here we managed to get around everyone and went back to the clinic to clean up and unload with only one Vaccine left, no wormer, one heartworm and no collars! A GREAT DAY! It probably does not need saying, but the estimated cost of this to the CCHS was around $1000bz. On our rounds one lovely lady came to find us to donate $200 bz (Holly Philp) and we could not have been more grateful! The more the merrier please! We were also able to get a list together of owners who would willingly let us Spay or Neuter their dogs. Another big thumbs up!
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Many thanks to all our volunteers, Debbie, Jessie, Doris, Amanda, Sara, Val, Heather, Bobbi, Monique, Lennie, Hilda, Susan and Ashley, Becky and of course Dr Zeke. Pictured left is Val pulling vaccines ready for the team to head out on our 'vet table' on the back of Susan's golf cart. Below right: Dr Zeke administering the heartworm meds. Below left: the GANG!
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| Below: Susan and Dr Zeke - this dog did NOT want our attentions! | Our helpful kids that followed and hitched a ride through the neighbourhood! |
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| Below: Bobbi, Susan and the Back Street dogs! | Below: Getting through the slosh in the Bahia, Susan, Val, Amanda, Monique, Lennie and Sara. |
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| At this point, only the larger ones could get through! | Amanda on puppy time! Ahh. |
DOG WASH FOR CAYE CAULKER HUMANE SOCIETY - FUNDRAISER:
It was a glorious morning, sunny with a slight breeze. A perfect day to sell some ice-cold beers, wash a bunch of dogs, pick a few ticks and bother tourists for donations to the cause. Patty had Bowen and Bowen donate some beers and she organised a Bowen tent for us, and kick off was due at around noon. We had people on call to cover our backs if it got busy and cash boxes and prizes all laid out. Hotels donated their spare or old towels (thanks to De Real Macaw, Iguana Reef Inn, Treetops). Oceanside offered us coolers and picnic talbes and most importantly the hose! Ani brought home-made cakes; chocolate and banana which we sold too. Yum.
At around 11.30am Cooper calls in a panic, "Get up here, there are people and dogs everywhere". Aggh. Bobbi high-tailed it up there with Amanda soon following (having broken up a dog cuffuffle en route) and we were off! Non stop for about 2 hours the dogs and their owners came in from all over. Not one person expected a freebie and adult and children alike all helped out with their own dogs, showed us what might need attention, helped with the washing and keeping their animals calm. It was absolutely disorganised, but absolutely organised at the same time! Zeke gave us all on the spot training on what to look out for, questions to ask owners, how to calm distressed animals (there seem to be a fear of the hose for many), handling the dogs and advising owners on treatments, when and how often. Patty, Monique, Lennie, Sally, Ani, Susan and Hilde all did a wonderful job. Every time we thought that is was slowing down and maybe we could grab a bite to eat - more dogs and owners would show up. We were still washing dogs at 5.30pm.
At 6pm we held the Raffle Draw and typically prize donators were won by themselves, so after a little change-around, everyone ended up with something they did want and not what they could easily have at home! Thanks to the following businesses for their lovely prizes:
Seaside Cabanas - night accommodation, Raggamuffin Tours - 2 to Hol Chan, Habaneros Restaurant - $100 Dinner Coupon, Joe Habaneros - 2 pizzas, E-Z Boy - 2 to Hol Chan, Tsunami - 2 to Hol Chan, Belize Dive Services - Discover Scuba and Local Dive, Don Corleone - $40 Cocktails, Coopers Art - 2 prints, Bobbi - 2 Hours Kayaking, Hummingbird Hideaway - 3 nights accommodation, Caye Reef - night accommdoation, Beyond the Sea - Internet time, Barrier Reef Sports Bar - $60 dinner coupon.
Here are some pictures - a synposis if you like.
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The
Ambassador: Senor Pedro looking really fluffed up after his first bath
ever!
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The
first brave contender! Patty has it all under control though.
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How
many women does it take.........etc?
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Lennie
and Monique refuse to notice that Amanda is having a sneaky ciggy!
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Back
at it - this guy just lerved the tub!
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Getting
all four of the legs into the tub was a little tricky! Mica of no use!!
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Terrified
pup - but clean!!
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Now
- that is more like it - maybe size does count?
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Zeke,
Hilde and Susan working with total concentration!
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Since Christmas 2010 we have held two fundraisers totaling around $2500 BZD, so we are super thrilled with that. Dr Zeke and his trusty and of helpers hold a spay and neutering clinic every Tuesday and a regular Clinic every Saturday morning. Locals are starting to realise our routine and it seems to be working for everyone. With so many 'critters' that need attention, the band of helpers is really the backbone of getting these owners to show up to the Clinic with their animals. Everyone is doing a great job of that. From the sickly, to the new pups, kittens, damaged and older ones, we are seeing a little of everything!
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22 Aug 2009. We held a fundraiser of which ALL proceeds went to the Caye Caulker Humane Society. We had a dog wash, nail clip and ear cleaning day. Island mayhem, as what seemed like hundreds of dogs and their owners showed up to show support and get their dogs washed and fluffed. Bowen and Bowen, Caye Caulker, donated 6 cases of Belikin for us to sell which helped a great deal, and locals brought home-made cakes to sell too. We had a raffle with some great prizes donated by Caye Caulker businesses - our thanks to everyone. FUNDS RAISED: $1605.00 |
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14 Aug 2009: We asked the Vets from the Animal Medical Clinic in Belize City to come and do a clinic here. We managed to get 5 dogs spayed or neutered, (strays), and it was a busy day getting all the other critters onto heartworm medication, annual shots, puppies for thier first vet clinic and some very long toe-nails that the experts could get, but that we were not brave enough to do ourselves! All members of the Humane Society showed up to be on hand with lunch, golf carts to get animals in and out of Cooper's temporary clinic (usually her workshop!), and help organise which critters would get seen to next and give some history for the vets to work out what to do! Caye Caulker locals were able to pay the vast majority of the bills and Animal Medical Clinic gave us a deal too, so we only had to spend around $350.00. |
Fluffy saying goodbye to his manhood, and first Puppy visit after Mum was fixed. |
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24 AUGUST 2009: These two sad critters need a home. The one on the left (Hatty) was tied to a tree in the back-a-bush and left to die. Only 3-6 months old, sick with mange and starving hungry and covered in ticks and fleas, she has a heart of gold! A little timid but I reckon a bit more of the good life she has had this last few days will perk her up. This one will take a little time to recover, so a patient parent needed. (Click here to read a story about how the dog was found and a heart-warming commentary on the 'Dog'.) - NEWSFLASH - we have found a home!! The one on the right (Fluffy) needs a new home, his owners cannot afford to feed him properly but love him a lot and he is their faithful companion, but a dog needs food too! About a year old, we had him neutered (above on the table) and shots given, and we feed him daily, but if anyone needs a new friend, please contact us at the above e mail. |
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A PLACE TO CALL HOME: Located opposite Wish Willies Bar and Restarant, backing right onto the beach (this is prime real estate my friends!) there was a patch of scrub with a wooden two story house. Hilde Marin had been trying to rent it. We offered to take her up on the rental and she immediately went to work getting the place sorted out. Before her valiant work, rats, roaches and other pests were aplenty, but thanks to her and her brother within a week the place was starting to take shape again. New floors, partially new walls, new paint and some windows, we were eager to move in. Doris with her team (Lennie) took over the insides to get it 'vet' ready and Amanda took over dealing with the yard and fence with the ever hard-working, Deon. Luciana made us a splendid sign pictured below thanks to those that donated wood, work or otherwise! Seaside Villas, Lennie and Bill, Heather, Jessie's friends in the Bahia, and of course Doris and Lennie. Here are some pics to show you how far we got! Dr Zeke came over this morning to inspect and deal with Scabby and draw some bood for tests on a pup. He seems impressed with how far we have got on very little money and lots of help! We are planning to hold clinics every two weeks to start with and go from there. Emergencies can come and find us anytime. Notices will be posted at the Post Office and Chan's Notice Baord 3 days before all clinics.
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