Trinidad and Ike

Preparing for Ike
Luna and the Lada
safe and dry.

At the time of this post the eye of Ike is locate very close to the town of Trinidad on the southern coast of Cuba.

This is a good opportunity to recap some of the work being done in Trinidad.
Click here for a trip report from 2007.

Julio's "Diana Project is progressing with the assistance of donated supplies from visitors to Trinidad.

If you are traveling to Trinidad, consider delivering some horse wormer or other supplies to Julio.

Wormer is easily found on the Internet

Hurricanes Are In Season

Ike is on his way .... arriving tonight.

I have received word from Havana that they are preparing for a big blow. Already electical interruptions are being experienced and it’s raining pretty good.
 Some Casa Particulare operators are directing their guests to book into hotel. Evacuations, no doubt, have begun in areas.

Last week,Gustav did some serious damage to La Isla de Juventud (Isle of Youth) in western Cuba.
 Ike could bring tremendous damage as it looks like it may run right up the spine of Cuba.

As for me ... the date is set and the flight is booked.
I depart Sept 25th for a week in Havana.
In these days of airline cutbacks due to the price of fuel, Cubana Airline still has a generous baggage allowance.
I will be allowed two checked bags at 23 kg each and a carry on of 5 kg for a total of 51 kg. 
For those that are metrically challenged that’s 112.2 pounds.

If you are planning a trip to Cuba don’t forget the furry ones as well as the people.

Let's Watch This One.

I have requested a list of needs as a result of hurricane Gustav smashing western Cuba last week.

Here is a look at the next dangerous weather system, Hurricane Ike.
Ike looks very dangerous at this point.
I plan on being in Havana September 24th and will be deliver supplies as required.

Wish List Wednesday

Can you help?

I have a large supply of donated supplies awaiting delivery to Cuba.
If you are located in the Toronto - Kingston corridor and have space to spare I have supplies for you. I can put together a package to suit your weight / space limits.

If you think you can help please let me know.
For those willing to deliver supplies to Havana, Holguin, Trinidad, Camaquey (Varadero soon) I will provide all the needed contact info and back up contacts.
losperros@spankyproject.org

Should you care to acquire supplies on your own below is a list:

Wormers, flea and tick preventatives are greatly needed.
For your information if an animal has a flea infestation it has worms. Therefore the need
to rid the animal of fleas goes hand in hand with worming.
Any products will be appreciated - collars, shampoos, drops and sprays etc.


WORMERS
DRONCIT (Praziquantel)
Praziquantel kills mature and immature development stages of tapeworms in the
intestine after a single treatment.

Pyraquantal
Control of all intestinal worms.

Ivomec 1% Injection (Ivermectine) for Cattle & Swine
Do not purchase Ivomec Plus as it has a negative effect on the livers of dogs.
The dosage of this product has been worked out for use on dogs. This is a highly
effective remedy for parasites and mange mites.
This product can be purchase at farmer’s co-ops and TSC Stores in the United States.

Replacement shaver blades for an Oster A5 Golden #40 blade ($30.00 USD)
Animal marker kit ie Spaulding Special Electric Tattoo Animal Marker (110V) ($340.00)

FLEA & TICK CONTROL
Permectrin II
Provides long-acting killing power for flies, lice, mites, ticks, fleas and mosquitoes

UK source for wormers

Needles, syringes
Digital thermometers
Gloves
Dog and Cat carriers

BOOKS - DIGITAL
Veterinary texts both english and spanish
Veterinary material in digital format
Care and training of domestic animals
Care and training of equines

Grooming equipment (Shavers, brushes, scissors, shampoo, nail clippers, flea combs, etc)
Scrub shirts and pants for staff and volunteers.

"You can't save them all..."

On my trip in May I came across this little guy in Centro Habana.
It was my last day and as I say to myself often,

 "you can't save them all".

I took a few shots and moved on.

Once back in Canada I could not keep the little guy out of my mind.
What to do?
I sent an email to one of my contacts in Havana with some photos and the location of the sighting.
A request was forward that inquires be made as to the dogs situation.
With in a few days I received a reply the dog and two others live with an elderly resident of the neighbourhood.
Apparently two dog do not leave the house but this one does.

This little guy known as Lion is now receiving anti-parasite treatment both internal and external. A dog that looks like this is a target for Zoonosis (dog catcher). Each week zoonosis picks up street dogs and holds them for three days in a location outside of Havana.
If not claimed within three days they are killed with strychnine.

The other two dogs as well as the elderly resident are also being helped out.

"You can't save them all... but helping just one feels so good”

In Memory of ....

Dr. Fermin M. Palazuelos Tuset

My deepest condolences go out to the family of Dr. Fermin M. Palazuelos Tuset.
Fermin the President of the Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba passed on Tuesday.

Since our first meeting a couple of years ago Fermin has been instrumental in assisting the Spanky Project's efforts to help the animals of Cuba.

Official recognition of this assistance came in February of this year when Fermin on behalf of the Consejo signed a Letter of Intent with the Spanky Project and the Grupo Dulce Maria Loynaz.

What can one day's interest do?

Perhaps some of you have heard of Leona Helmsley.

After Leona’s death in 2007 her will made news when it made public the bequest of $12 million to her Maltese dog named Trouble. Some Judge, against Leona’s wishes, decided Trouble did not need $12 million. Judge Reena Roth awarded $2 million to Trouble, $4 million to an undisclosed charity and $6 million to grandchildren that had be cut out of the will.

Now one has to ask the question...
What’s going to happen to the remaining $8 billion of her estate?
Yes, Leona directed that $8 billion be given to benefit the welfare of dogs.
It has been reported that in “ 2003 that the money should go to poor people and dogs. A year later, the sources said, she dropped poor people from the list. “
I wonder if some Judge is going to mess with her directive.

This money will hopefully be put to good use by good people to help dogs.
I wonder if the funds are directed for use in the USA only or whether international Organizations will also benefit.

Ah, what to do with just one hours worth of interest on $8 billion.
Do you realize that at 4% interest per annum the first hour would generate $36,529.68?

That is a lot of Dog Wash Fundraisers.

To the left is the Canada Day Dog Wash in Picton, Ontario.





Proceeds went to the building fund for the Picton Dog Park.


How would you put $36,529.68 to work for the benefit of the canine world?

Please leave your comments.