Situation Critical

This is why we do what we do.

Helping Cubans help their animals since 2003.

It is a process to get to where we can enjoy the faces of happy Caregivers.

Determining need

Ordering

Packing

Paying

Since the Pandemic we have not been able to fly directly from Toronto to Havana.

So, it's Varadero and a transfer to Havana.

Note the "MX"  marked on our bag tag.

All baggage is screened before coming into the arrival hall.

 MX is the code for "medications"

They believe that is what is in the bag and we will be sent for secondary inspection.

All is we as we always have Cuban import "Permisos".

All of our purchased Veterinary supplies come from Canada.

Spanky Project USA, based in Long Beach CA, flies in with donated supplies 

and other support materials.

Our first day at the campaña location is dedicated to unpacking and setup.

All our controlled drugs leave Canada with an "Exemption Letter" from Health Canada.

The letter states what is being export to where and to whom.

Here Dr.Belovich, our Veterinary Medical Director,  has Dr.Leyssan Cepero sign acknowledging receipt of the drugs.

This document is returned to Health Canada

This is our "cold sterilization" department. 

Surgical instruments ready to go.

All the liquids used for sterilization are sent as "Dangerous Goods".

This requires special packing and air cargo.

Yes, another big expense.

This is the cheque we wrote for the medications and supplies delivered in May.

This is where we stand financially in Canada.

(We have placed our orders)

    In the bank we have $9670.42 

 SITUATION CRITICAL

All this to ensure top level medicine and the best possible outcome.

And happy Caregivers and their "Fur Babies"

Your donation TODAY will get us to 1000 without us having to did out of a hole,

Please join us in this important work with your gift of support

                                                             

Interac e-Transfers

can be sent to

donations@spankyproject.org

if you would like a Canadian Charitable tax receipt include your name and address.

For those in Canada and the World you can give with your credit card

Instant tax charitable receipt will be issued.

By Cheque payable to 

"Spanky Project"

172 Main St.

Suite 301

Picton ON K0K 2T0

For our supporters in the USA donate through

Spanky Project USA

If you would like a Charitable tax receipt include your name and address.

Can we do it? With you we can!

In 2024 we set two records during our Spay/Neuter Campañas in Cuba.

Single day

136

Annual

  654  Havana

  234 Trinidad

888  Record

In 2025 we look to break through the 1000 barrier.

Our Havana team was ready in May....

...  Cubans and their furry ones were waiting for us.

The gates opened at 8:30 am 

Our Havana numbers were wonderful.

We could have set a campaña record.

But due to many rejections because of problems like anemia,

 flea and tick infestations, heart murmur, etc,  many animals were ineligible for surgery.

We had an all Cuban surgical team.

All of them had worked with us as students at one time.

Some began with us in 2016

Also we had three young female surgeons who attended our 

surgery workshop 

earlier in the year.

We are so happy to be able to empower women in the Veterinary field

Our total May invoices for drugs and supplies amounted to $30,597.07 plus HST. 

We had to provide the Oficina del History the total for all our expenses related to the campaña. 

That included all meds, supplies, travel and the care and feeding of everyone at the campaña for the six days, which came to .....

$51,963

*all international team members pay for their own travel and lodging 

We are in the planning stage for one more campaña this year.

If we are to go over the 1000  spay/neuters for 2025 we need you..

We are waiting for you.

Please join us in this important work with your gift of support

                                                             

Interac e-Transfers

can be sent to

donations@spankyproject.org

if you would like a Canadian Charitable tax receipt include your name and address.

For those in Canada and the World you can give with your credit card

Instant tax charitable receipt will be issued.

For our supporters in the USA donate through

Spanky Project USA

If you would like a Charitable tax receipt include your name and address.

“With Endings Come New Beginnings.”

Spanky

1995 - 2003

“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life and one life can change the world.” 

– Buddha

A few years ago I heard cover of Neil Young's

Heart Of Gold.

It was a version by Passenger.

The video was an emotional viewing for me.

I did find my "Heart of Gold".

It was a Friday 22 years ago, today, we bade "adios" to Spanky.

It was a day filled with her favourite things...

restaurant patio time and finally eating that tuna sandwich...

pizza at the ballpark...

and a walk on the beach .

September 5, 2003 was not to be the end of her story...

"The end is never the end. It's always the beginning of something."

-Kate Lord Brown

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,

 and the life of that candle will not be shortened"

.... on December 14, 2003 that first candle was lit.

The Spanky Project was born with the goal of..

"Helping Cubans help their animals"

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” 
... she gave me that purpose!

December 14 will be our 22th Anniversary.
May Spanky's legacy carry on ... well beyond my years.

In 2024 we performed 888 spay/neuter surgeries.

In May 2025 we did 640 enroute to...

 hopefully 1000+ for the year.

Join us in this beautiful work.

If You Teach It ... They Will Come.

International Women’s Day 2025 theme

The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025

 Strength in every story

This year’s theme highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of all women, particularly those who continue to face barriers to success. Creating opportunities for women and girls unlocks their potential and drives innovation, and helps ensure a sustainable future for all.

Every woman’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of opportunity. 

This International Women’s Day, celebrate the women and girls in your life and share their stories.

From February 24 - 28 the Spanky Project was on the ground in Havana.

We celebrated women ahead of 

International Women's Day ( March 8, 2025)

Our most important event mirrored the theme above.

We taught a course in surgery for female vet students and young female veterinarians. 

This specialized training was aimed at advancing their understanding and practical knowledge in order to help them help animals in the future.

This was the first of it's kind opportunity in Cuba.

Spanky Project is so proud to lead they way.

Each student was given a set of surgical instruments gifted by

 Erica Balzer Higgins,

 an associate of Dr. Amanda.

 Suture practice pads were funded by longtime supporter, Roz Diamond

On the final day of the course, the students of our first Spanky Project surgery course and workshop were able to put their training into practice. We held a small sterilization campaign and every student was able to do some hands-on learning under the supervision of Dr. Amanda and Dr. Leyssan. 

Dra Amanda literally guiding the hands of Dra Patricia during a spay surgery.

The first surgery of the day was Perri, who belongs to our coordinator, Lianet. 

Dr. Amanda demonstrated every step while the students looked on.

Perri in recovery!

In order to allow our students to focus on proper preparation and surgical techniques, many of our Spanky family members came to do fill the other supporting roles (registration, health exams, anesthesia, instrument cleaning, recovery) and we are grateful for their support. 

They were all Spanky students at some point (some since 2016) 

and wanted to help the future vets learn too. 

We are so proud of you all.

There is a certain mindset and misconceptions that contribute the hindrance of women getting the opportunity and training they so much want.

In closing we saw the following messages in social media..

"The surgical skills of veterinarians are invaluable, but their female sensitivity makes them prefer to attend postoperative care in the Surgical Recovery Area. 

Or be at the reception of the michis and firulais, to ensure a good surgical preparation.

Or else in the Sedacion Department, ensuring safe anesthesia induction.

All this translates into that, often, it is the male part that is engaged in the surgical act. 

++++

"For Arelys León Laurenti “it was a wonderful and unique opportunity to be able to demonstrate the value of women within surgery in veterinary medicine.” In her opinion, it turned out to be the best occasion to be able to receive a class from the prestigious Dr. Amanda Bruce. It was incredible. "Hopefully it will be repeated". "

+++++

"Thanks to Dr.Amanda Bruce who has trusted us Cuban women veterinarians and has helped to demonstrate that we can be excellent surgeons and that we must ignore people with misconceptions that women's "sensitivity" is a barrier to play the role."

Behind the mask is a surgeon.

Be they male or female.

Given the opportunity and training there is a surgeon.

Thank you 

Civil Heritage Society, Community and Environment (SCPCMA) 

and 

Havana City Historian's Office (OHCH)

for your collaboration and support.

You can now donate without leaving our blog.

Safe secure and you get an instant tax receipt.