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Pet lover’s quest to bring stray Mauritian dog to SA

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Pietermaritzburg animal lover, Lilisha Chetty, her husband Gavin, her sister Nishana Maharaj and a friend Niven Dhewnarian have embarked on an intensive crowdfunding campaign to bring a stray dog from Mauritius to a forever home in South Africa. The group met the dog, Hanna, while on holiday on the island.

A teary-eyed Chetty, who returned from an emotional seven-day trip, has so far raised R5683 through backabuddy.co.za crowdfunding platform and has invested her own money to bring Hanna home. Chetty, who already has four fur babies of her own, Olaf, Elsa, Anna and Roxy – a PARR rescue dog, will add the sweet Hanna to her family.

Chetty said that Mauritius was such a beautiful island paradise but for animal lovers, the amount of strays is heart wrenching.

“I noticed the stray dogs on my arrival. We fell in love with Hanna and it was evident she really wants an owner. She would creep up behind people and sit beside them. I think she was pretending she had owners. She didn’t know what it was to be petted or cuddled so we had to teach her,” said Chetty.

Described as a gentle soul often shooed away by holidaymakers and resort staff, Hanna developed a bond with Chetty.

“The hotels have strict policies on feeding the animals. I used to smuggle food from the buffet and take Hanna to my veranda to feed her. She is a smart dog who knew my plan. Eventually, when she got used to us, she would walk around with us and sleep on our veranda at night.”

Chetty also discovered a park on the island used as a dumping ground for unwanted dogs. She rescued six dogs and, on the last day of her holiday, spent the last of her currency on 20 bags of food to give to the park caretaker to feed the dogs. Chetty is also working with an organisation in Mauritius called Wellbeing of Strays that is in dire need of funding.

In the past week, Chetty has managed to get Hanna sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated and chipped so that she is ready to make the journey.

“We are waiting for the bloods to be sent to South Africa and then we can arrange her flight. She is currently recovering in foster care. We are hoping to have her here in three weeks,”she said.

Once Hanna’s adoption is concluded, the remaining funds raised will be used to help sterilise as many dogs as possible in Mauritius. “This will be an ongoing effort. A sterilisation camp for 18 dogs will cost about 15 000 Mauritian rupees; converted that is about R5000 and we are planning on doing a few camps a year,”said the passionate dog-lover.

Those considering donating to help Chetty achieve her mission to #bringhannahome can check out more on their Facebook page. You can assist Hanna on www.backabuddy.co.za/bringhannahome

Source: Public Eye

500 Khayelitsha dogs to be sterilised in one month

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Dr Brian Bergman performing a sterilisation

500 Khayelitsha dogs to be sterilised in one month

Four local animal welfare organisations are joining forces to launch a groundbreaking sterilisation project in Khayelitsha, targeting 500 female dogs between February 6th and mid-March 2024.

The collaboration aims to combat overpopulation in the Khayelitsha township which has an estimate of 300 000 companion animals. Dr Roos from EnviroVet CVC approached National Sterilisation Project and Dancers Love Dogs to secure funding. The sterilisations will be performed by Mdzananda Animal Clinic and EnviroVet CVC at Mdzananda’s hospital in Khayelitsha.

Sr Heidi May, General Manager of Mdzananda Animal Clinic, says that the collaboration exemplifies the shared commitment to animal welfare. She says that, if one female, her mate and all the puppies are not sterilised, approximately 16 puppies can be born in one year. With 500 sterilisations, the potential of 8000 unwanted puppies is prevented.

“This endeavor will make a larger-than-usual positive impact on the pets in Khayelitsha,” says Dr Roos from Envirovet CVC.

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Dr Karin Hodson performing a sterilisation

Members of Khayelitsha are encouraged to register their pets for sterilisation before the 6th of February by visiting the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, calling their reception on 021 367 6001 or sending an SMS to 068 385 9655.

The organisations have expressed immense gratitude to the National Sterilisation Project and Dancers Love Dogs for funding this initiative.

“The NSP is passionate about South Africa’s animals, which deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. By working in partnership with the community, we can make a substantial difference in protecting these animals,” says Debra Buys from NSP.

To follow this project, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic will launch a second project to sterilise another 500 animals. To support this further initiative, the public can sponsor a sterilisation by emailing info@mdzananda.co.za or by donating to Mdzananda Animal Clinic at Standard Bank, Account no: 075595710, Branch code: 025009, Savings Account, with the reference Steri + Your Name.

Source: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

5 compelling reasons to have your pets sterilised

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5 compelling reasons to have your pets sterilised

If you are in any doubt about the need to sterilise your cat or dog, please visit one of the SPCAs or animal shelters across the country. You’ll come face to face with the heart-breaking reality: there are too many unwanted animals and not enough homes for them. This pet overpopulation is the direct result of irresponsible pet owners failing to have their animals sterilised.

Last year we admitted over 14 000 dogs and cats to our SPCA in Springfield Park. Only 734 were claimed by their owners or adopted by new owners. When you realise that ours is just one of around 80 SPCAs in the country – all reporting similar statistics – you’ll understand the magnitude of the problem.

The last thing anyone needs is for more unwanted dogs and cats to be born. Yet the myths around pet sterilisation endure.

Don’t be fooled by myths around pet sterilisation
“It’s good for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter before they are spayed,” is a popular misconception. In fact, there is no health benefit to allowing your pet to produce a litter. And you may find it a lot more difficult than you thought to find homes for the puppies or kittens. Especially if there are a lot of them.

Although first litters are usually smaller, a cat can produce up to 9 kittens, while some breeds of dog have 12-15 pups. Do you really know that many people who’d be willing to take on a new pet? Or will you have to find homes for them via social media?  Handing over puppies and kittens to people you don’t know could sentence them to a lifetime of misery in homes where they are mistreated. And if they’re not sterilised either, you’ll add to the problem.

Weight gain
Another popular reason not to spay a pet is that, “Dogs get fat and lazy if you sterilise them.” While it’s true that spaying can reduce a pet’s tendency to wander, over-feeding and lack of exercise are more likely causes of weight gain.

One of the worst reasons for not sterilising your pet is the idea that you will be able to make money from selling the puppies or kittens. Not when you take into consideration the cost of veterinary care and extra, premium food for the pregnant and lactating female. Plus health checks and vaccinations for her offspring.

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Why you should have your pets sterilised

  1. Fewer unwanted animals – Spaying a female dog or cat (having the uterus and ovaries surgically removed) means that your pet can never have babies. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing your part in reducing the numbers of unwanted animals in your community. That means fewer animals will have to be euthanised (put to sleep) because animal shelters are full.
  2. More pleasant for you – Since your female dog will not come into season (on heat), there will be no mess from spotting (traces of blood left on bedding or carpets). In addition, you won’t be bothered by males howling and fighting outside your gate or trying to get into your property to mate with her.
  3. Your pet will enjoy a longer, healthier life – Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer, and substantially reduces the chance of your dog or cat developing breast cancer. Neutering male dogs and cats has similar health benefits. It reduces the chance of prostate cancer and eliminates testicular cancer completely.
  4. Your pet will be more loving – A dog that has been spayed or neutered is generally calmer, less aggressive and more affectionate towards its owners, because it is not distracted by hormonal urges. Sterilisation has no effect on a dog’s ability to learn or play. Nor will it make him or her less protective of your home and family.
  5. Eliminates or reduces unwanted behaviour – Neutering male dogs and cats reduces aggressive behaviour and the urge to roam in search of a mate. Pets that are content to stay at home are less likely to be hit by a car, get into fights with other dogs, spread disease, disturb neighbours by howling or barking, or bite someone. Cats are less likely to ‘spray’ inside and outside your home to mark their territory with strong smelling urine.

When is the right time to get my pet sterilised?
Ideally, you’ll want to have your female pet spayed before the first estrous cycle (i.e. before she goes on heat). This is usually around 6 months for cats and small dogs. At the SPCA, all animals are sterilised before being re-homed, from 8 weeks upwards.

Large breed dogs may need more time to reach full size before being sterilised, but it should be done before they are one year old. Speak to your vet about your intention to have your pet sterilised and discuss the timing with him or her.

If you cannot afford the cost of sterilisation by a private vet, please contact your nearest SPCA to see if you qualify for special rates. Should you adopt a dog or cat from the SPCA, the animal will be sterilised before you are allowed to take it home.

Source: SPCA – Durban & Coast