Re: ZNSPCA July 2005 Update

A fantastic effort by the ZNSPCA under the most difficult circumstances.

"zakanaka" <lalapansi@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1121169707.733352.284900@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ZNSPCA July 2005 Update
>
>
>
> We were elated to receive the lovely award from Humane Society
> International for Extraordinary Achievement and Commitment at the
> Animal Care Expo in April. This recognition has kept our Inspectors
> buoyed during the period since, which has been a very difficult time
> for us all. Most of you will have read or heard about recent
> developments which have left over a million Zimbabweans homeless in the
> middle of winter with night time temperatures plummeting to nearly
> freezing point.
>
>
>
> Obviously animals are once again caught up in the mayhem following
> government's 'Operation Murambatsvina' (Shona for "clean out
> the filth") and Operation Restore Order and SPCA centres are
> 'baby-sitting' a variety of different animals as their owners try
> to relocate and rebuild their lives but many are now living on the
> streets or in the ruins that remain. Another sad but inevitable
> result, exacerbated by the dire state of the economy, is the
> surrendering of many animals to SPCA centres and Inspectors.
>
>
>
> The situation on farms has settled down somewhat and the focus still
> remains on the location and recovery of the hundreds of horses which
> were left behind. However, as political tensions mount, there have
> been a few further incidents on farms. Belinda, the Chinhoyi Inspector
> carried out a rescue in the Lions Den area on 21 June after the owners
> of Friedavill Farm had been forced to flee and left nine dogs behind,
> mostly Healers, including two of Kanya's puppies which were
> originally rescued in 2001 when Two Trees was attacked and Nhandi
> (Kanya's mother) was found in ruins.
>
>
>
> One of the farm employees is to be commended for his bravery as he
> found some of the dogs which fled at the time and took them to the
> owners who had sought refuge on a neighbouring farm. When Belinda
> arrived at the farm she found three Healers who had remained during the
> attack and tried to defend the property - 'Casper', 'Heidi'
> and 'Maisie'. Although all were alive they had paid a price for
> their bravery. Belinda reports that they could not follow her as all
> were limping so badly. Another employee at the farmhouse reported that
> the dogs had been locked in the house and beaten. Belinda carried the
> injured dogs out to her vehicle but she said they were obviously in
> pain as they all winced and tried to snap at her.
>
>
>
> Belinda reports that there was furniture and belongings scattered
> everywhere and despite there being a lot of people present, she was not
> prevented from removing the dogs, however the brave employee who
> recovered the dogs which had fled was chased and threatened whilst he
> recovered the remaining dogs.
>
>
>
> Our small band of Inspectors are still stretched to the limit and we do
> desperately need to increase the number of Inspectors we have in the
> field in order to get to all animals in need as well as coping with the
> increasing demands for assistance being placed on our Regional
> Inspectors from the urban areas.
>
>
>
> An abattoir near Harare was found to be slaughtering animals using a
> knife and several security companies are being monitored following
> either impounds or warnings being issued regarding the underweight
> condition of their working dogs.
>
>
>
> Following negotiations, crocodiles on an occupied ranch were released
> by the war vets and relocated to Kariba.
>
>
>
> Ostriches were found to be dying of starvation on a farm in Marondera
> which had also been taken over. Simon consulted with the previous
> owner and permission has been obtained for him to feed the birds.
>
>
>
> The Inspectors are also spending a great deal of time attending to
> donkeys and draught oxen in the rural areas who are being heavily
> relied upon by rural communities who are struggling to make a living or
> grow crops.
>
>
>
> Most of you will have learned that former MP, Roy Bennet whose farm
> featured regularly in our previous reports, has been released.
> Unfortunately, another farmer, Phillip Mennie, was attacked in Chipinge
> on Sunday and received serious head injuries. He was dragged from his
> vehicle by six men when he stopped at the farm gate and was
> head-butted, punched, beaten and kicked. The farmer who suffers from
> glaucoma was unable to see after a sever blow to the back of the head.
> Two other farmers who tried to rescue him were also head-butted and
> beaten with sticks. He has been hospitalized in Harare and his
> condition is reported as being stable.
>
>
>
> A current major challenge is a crippling fuel shortage which has
> grounded many SPCA vehicles and is bringing remaining industry to a
> halt and will no doubt worsen the current food shortage. Many shelves
> are bare and mealie-meal (national staple), bread, sugar, oil and of
> course pet food are all in short supply. Our usual suppliers of vet
> meds and drugs report that they are unable to import even essential
> drugs such as euthanaise, vaccines, anesthetics and dewormer as they
> cannot secure forex from the government.
>
>
>
> With ongoing kind support from those who continue to stand by us at
> this very challenging time, we will keep going and do everything in our
> power to continue to safeguard the extremely vulnerable animals of
> Zimbabwe.
>
>
>
> I will end off with an extract from a report by the ZNSPCA Regional
> Inspector for Matabeleland, Glynis, on the situation following
> Operation Murambatsvina:
>
>
>
> "We heard from the public that Killarney and Ngozi squatter camps had
> been destroyed and we proceeded to load our truck with the necessary
> equipment - cages, meat and ropes, etc. On arrival in the area we were
> saddened by the sight of the people sitting amongst the ruins of their
> homes, holding their pets. Initially, on approaching the people, there
> was resistance because they did not trust us and didn't want to give us
> the only belongings they had left that had any worth. After much
> persuasion and discussion they realised that we were there to help and
> we documented all the animals and their respective owners.
>
>
>
> In two days our team of four collected 155 chickens, 7 cats, 18 dogs, 2
> rabbits, 26 guinea pigs and 3 ducks. By the afternoon of the fist day
> the word had spread and people were running to meet us and set up
> designated points for pick ups. The squatters became so trusting,
> handing us there pets not knowing if they will ever see them again. We
> were all deeply affected by the sight of the owners hugging their dogs
> and cats and begging us to look after them. One old man brought me his
> black hen "madam - take care of Peggy for me, please" he said. I
> assured him that Peggy would be well looked after. The Bulawayo SPCA
> kennels are now full and we are struggling to feed all the animals. We
> do not know when the people will reclaim their pets. We can only carry
> on taking care of them and carry on rescues in other areas".
>


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