Cats in Habana Vieja

February 28, 2012

 

 Photo:Susana Hurlich

With the stray dog population of Habana Vieja well on the way to being under control, our thoughts turn to cats.

For years, cats were seldom seen in Old Havana.

As a matter of fact in 2003 Barrio Chino (Chinatown) was the only place I saw cats.

Now, there is a joke in there somewhere.

Nowadays they are roaming the streets and feral colonies are growing in numbers.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Michele Travers once again brought out her custom cat surgery table.

 

 Photo:Susana Hurlich

While she set up Dr.Belovich and Krystal prepped her first patient.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Pedicures are done at all our campañas.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Travers secured the patient in "the device".

 
Photo:Susana Hurlich

Our Cuban partners looked on with interest.

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

 

Photo:Susana Hurlich

Dr.Danis from San Miguel del Padron joined us.

It's great when our collaborators from different municipalities come together to help out.

To finish up our morning, Dr.Belovich and Krystal, from Yonge Street Animal Hospital, presented a banner to Dr.Gispert .

We also had a guest this day from the

Cuba Travel Network.

Check out there story here.

We look forward to our upcoming October visit when we will conduct a

TNR (Trap Neuter and Return)

of feral cats.

After our working session at Clinica Laika we headed to El Municipio 10 de Octubre.

Here we spoke with the Municipal IMV Director "Harry".
Full name Dr. Harry Stamatopolos Mpountos.

This 12 square kilometer community has one Veterinary Clinic and one Consultorio.

We discussed their needs and our objectives in hope of future collaborations.

As we waited for our ride back to Habana Vieja, Harry rescued a kitten on the busy road.

Looks like he now has company for the Consultorio Cat which Dr.B is holding below.

Krystal, it's only day four.
Wake up ...

... it's time for some sightseeing.

February 29

After dinner in Barrio Chino and a nights sleep we were back at it in the morning.

The location Centro Habana.

Joining the resident Vets was Dr.Gispert from Clinica Laika.

Here he can do some hands on instead of being a

coordinator.

Note the orange collar and bag around this dogs neck.

Each step in the process for the patient is documents. ie vitals and meds.

The patients "chart" is always close at hand .

This is a new concept for Cubans during mass sterilization campañas.

Dr.Ibrahim, one of the resident Vets, doing a "flank spay".

We are truly appreciative of our Cuban collaborators.

Also, we are thankful for the financial support we receive through the

"DONATE"

button on this site.

We are still in debt for the supplies we purchased and delivered last February.

Please help ... if you can.

The Hippie Wagon

27-Feb-12

Our ride on this beautiful morning was Guillermo's VW van.
We lovingly dubbed it The Hippie Wagon.
I have plans for the future which include magnetic flower decals and incense.

Our destination was ...

Casa Comunitaria Puentes Grandes – La Ceiba

Municipio de Playa ubicada en 51 y 48

Casa Comunitaria is a large multi-function space and very much a focal point for the community.

Stitchery get togethers and yoga classes are a few of the many activities held here.

It is also a space for local artists to display their works. 

Now, free veterinary care can be added to the list.

Each arriving animal and caregiver were registered.

Awaiting the arrival of patients were ...
Veterinary Technician Krystal Wallace of Yonge Street Animal Hospital in Toronto, Canada
and

Dra.Evelyn Gómez Mirabales a recent graduate of a Cuban Veterinary School.

We first met Evelyn at a campaña we held last year in San Jose de las Lajas,
where the Vet School is located.

As per normal at our events, animals arrive with injuries or problems of great concern to their caregivers.

This little one had a dislocation.

We had no proper splint material.
 In true Cuban style we made do.
The injured leg was stabilized with some floral wire then covered with Vetrap and tape.

Vet Tech Jordan and Dr.Travers splint the injured leg of the puppy.

It ain't pretty ... but it did the trick.

During a break in the action we had an opportunity to explore the centre.
Nilda posed with her painted roof tiles.

Also, it was an opportunity to drink some of that great Cuban coffee.

It is very important to involve the young in the struggle to better the lives of animals.

The Spanky Project hands out pins to youngsters that come to our events.

Yordan pins a girl.

Julieta is a local Protectora that brought in a number of street dogs.

photo:Susana

On our way out the door, Yordan treated a late arrival.

This brought our total for this event to 108 deparasitized and one leg mended.

Just around the corner from Casa Comunitaria is a wonderful community project.

One that rivals the better known Callejón de Hamel in Havana.

The entire street is decorated with wonderful imagery.

Perhaps we will see this dog at our next visit to Casa Comunitaria Puentes Grandes

                        

 A final comment on our visit. 

I would like to acknowledge Geise Medina Valle, a member of the community, whom during the event handed me a note of appreciation and a Cuban Flag pin. 

 Lunch was had at the underrated and newly renovate Hanoi.

Do you think Dra.E is envious of Dr.B's Daiquiri?

After lunch we loaded into 
 "The Hippie Wagon"  
and headed for a meeting in San Jose de las Lajas at the Agrarian University with the Dean of the Veterinary School.
 
Sometimes we find ourselves waiting for our appointed meetings.

This can be a little boring ...

... so we just have to amuse ourselves.

Back to work...

... and something to work towards.