Thursday, March 23, 2023

Feliz Día del Trabajador de la Veterinaria



March 24 is Veterinary Worker's Day in Cuba.
Greetings, congratulations and best wishes to the over 12,000 doctors and technicians in Cuba.
Let's include all clerks,  janitors, graduates, economists, .... EVERYONE

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Cuba currently has five faculties of Veterinary Medicine and 14 schools of middle-level studies, in which more than seven thousand specialists dedicated to the care and protection of animal health have graduated.
We have come to know and work with many of them.












We thank them all for their hard work, love and dedication.
We are now in our 20th year of helping Cubans help their animals.
We look forward to our first post pandemic campaña and reuniting with all our Veterinary friends.


2003-2023 and beyond.
Spanky Project celebrates 20 años

¡Felicidades!
ONE LOVE 
Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!



Monday, September 26, 2022

A Ray Of Light In Troubled Times

Quinta de Los Molinos is a large green space in Havana, covering 12 acres. There, you will find paths weaving through a shady botanical garden, fountains with fish and turtles, beautiful birds, a butterfly house, historical buildings and many animals, including stray dogs and cats that have made a home there and are cared for by the staff. They also have a resident veterinarian, Dr. Leyssan. This is where the Spanky Project holds our mass campaigns when we are in Havana, with Dr. Leyssan leading the surgical team.

In 2014, there was no veterinary office at Quinta, and through the generosity of a single Spanky Project donor, we were able to turn an unused room into a functioning exam room, building a counter, installing a sink, paint, tile and a stainless exam table. This office was used by Dr. Leyssan to care for the animals of the park but was not open to the public. Until now! The office (or consultorio) is going to open to the public and to celebrate the inauguration of the consultorio, an event will be held at the park on October 1 with several animal-related activities, including a deparasitation event where the public can bring their pets to be treated for parasites, both internal and external.

This event is being hosted by Quinta de Los Molinos and the Oficina del Historiador, and due to the Spanky Project's contribution in creating the office space, we were invited to participate. Audrey will be there to represent the Spanky Project and all of our wonderful supporters who enable us to keep our work afloat with their donations.
++++++++++++++
Quinta de Los Molinos es una gran área verde en La Habana que cubre 12 acres. Allí encontrará senderos que serpentean a través de un sombreado jardín botánico, fuentes con peces y tortugas, hermosos pájaros, un mariposario, edificios históricos y muchos animales, incluidos perros y gatos callejeros que han hecho de Quinta un hogar y son atendidos por su personal. También cuentan con un veterinario residente: el Dr. Leyssan. Aquí es donde Spanky Project realiza sus campañas masivas cuando estamos en La Habana, junto con el Dr. Leyssan al frente del equipo quirúrgico.

En 2014 no había consultorio veterinario en Quinta, y gracias a la generosidad de un solo donante de Spanky Project, pudimos convertir una habitación en desuso en una sala de examen en funcionamiento. Pudimos construir un mostrador, instalar un fregadero, proveer azulejos, pintura y una mesa de examen de acero inoxidable. Este consultorio fue utilizado por el Dr. Leyssan para cuidar a los animales del parque pero no estaba abierto al público. ¡Hasta ahora! 

El consultorio se abrirá al público, y para celebrar su inauguración se realizará un evento en el parque el 1ro de octubre con varias actividades relacionadas con los animales, incluido un evento de desparasitación donde el público puede traer sus mascotas para ser tratadas contra los parásitos, tanto interna como externamente.

Este evento está siendo organizado por la Quinta de Los Molinos y la Oficina del Historiador, y debido a la contribución de Spanky Project a la remodelación del espacio del consultorio, fuimos invitados a participar. Audrey estará allí para representar a Spanky Project y a todos nuestros maravillosos seguidores que nos permiten mantener nuestro trabajo a flote con sus donaciones.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

June's 2022 Giving Challenge - Midway Update



 

 We are midway through the ...
... and here are the numbers.
After 15 Days! 
We have received 16 donations
Country by Country
15 Canada 
( ON 7, NS 3, BC 3, MB 1, PQ 1)
1 Italy


Thanks to you we have already surpassed last years total!
Our goal for 2022 was $2022.
At halftime 
with 15 days down and 15 to go we did it
$4485
¡Gracias!
Every dollar counts and gives us a chance to WIN BIG!
Let's keep going to the final bell!


Your donation will make a difference for Cuban animals.
It may even be YOUR dollar that wins us the $20,000.
Donations as little a $3 get us entered.
If the prize comes our way we could sterilize 666 MORE dogs/cats
You can help Cubans help their animals with the Spanky Project.
Be a fundraiser!
There is no cost to you!
Start your own fundraiser to help celebrate a birthday, anniversary,  in memory of a furry one
.. or just because.
It's easy just click the 
"Fundraise Now"
 button and you are on your way,
Fundraise Now Through CanadaHelps.org!
In our February 2021 Campaña we sterilized 522dogs/cats.
Our goal for that year was 1000
That was our last campaña before the PANDEMIC.
Help us make the next 1000 happen!

Consider becoming a monthly donor.
How do you SAVE 100 cats... sterilize one.
This is a kitty we sterilized in Plaza de Armas.
Note the tipped ear. It's our sign she has been sterilized.
She was part of Marta's Colony.




Thursday, June 2, 2022

Game On - Help Us Win $20,000



The Great Canadian Giving Challenge 2022 is here!

Yes Nala another year has passed.
 For the entire month of June, 
every $1 you donate to the Spanky Project through
qualifies us for a chance to win $20,000! 
The more you give
... the more chances for us to win!
Your generosity will help Cubans help their animals. 

Spanky Project conducts mass 
sterilization and deparasitization campañas.
They are made possible though your kindness and generosity

In March of this year over 32,000 Cubans arrived on the 
southern USA border.
This exodus of Cuban, no doubt, has left hundreds of pets behind.
Surviving in the Cuban economy at this time is a struggle for the human population.
It's a greater struggle for animals.
Our spay/neuter campañas are need now more than ever.
In 2021 three countries participate.
I know there are more Cuban animal lovers out there.
20 Canada ( ON 13, BC 3, NS 3, QC 1)
2 Australia
2 Great Britain
0- the rest of the world.

Our goal this year is a big one.
$2022
That would be 2022 chances to ....
The challenge is on for 2022
With $20,000 we could do 666 more spay/neuters.
We can send critical supplies to help Veterinarians and Protectors
The "Days of COVID" have caused the cancellation of five mass sterilization campañas.
That is over 2500 spay/neuters we will have to recoup.
Cuba awaits our return in 2022

Be like Nala!
We are a register Canadian Charity!
Instant tax receipts are issued.
Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!
Please!

Saturday, April 30, 2022

World Veterinary Day 2022


From the Spanky Project a huge thank you and warm embrace to the veterinary professionals of the world.
A special thank you to our Spanky Project Family! We hope to reunite in 2022

WVA Newsletter

World Veterinary Day 2022


Dear friends and colleagues,

On the occasion of the World Veterinary Day, I want to recognise and thank the veterinary professionals worldwide for their crucial work supporting animal health, animal welfare, public health, food safety, food security, and environment protection.


This celebration was created by the World Veterinary Association in

2000 to be celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. And it is

an excellent opportunity to make known, highlight and illustrate the wide variety of duties and responsibilities the veterinarians play at a local, national and international level, the challenges they face in their day-to-day work and their contribution to the benefit of the global society.


The last years have been challenging for everyone and also for the veterinary profession. The veterinary sector has played an extraordinary role in the pandemic response, making vital contributions in fields like research, diagnostics, communication, material donation and many others. Tasks are not always adequately acknowledged.


In addition, to go through the transition period from pandemic to endemic that we are currently experiencing and to overcome the pandemic effectively, the contribution of veterinarians remains vital. It is necessary to improve collaboration between human health and animal health

professionals, strengthen cooperation between other sectors, and enhance coordination of responses to zoonotic diseases and future emerging epidemics. Namely, to continue developing and implementing the One Health approach.


Strengthening Veterinary Resilience

The health of animals, people and the environment requires healthy advocates. So, this year, the World Veterinary Day subject is “Strengthening Veterinary Resilience”.

The veterinary profession is a gratifying activity. Veterinarians, much like the animals they take care of, need proper tools and support to maintain their health and wellness. Veterinarians are

aware, though, that this burden can be physically and mentally demanding. Stress, burnout and other health issues have risen in recent years, particularly during the pandemic.


Resilience cannot be facilitated only by individual veterinarians. It requires appropriate support by associations, institutions and governments to ensure adequate education, training, mentorship, and mutual support. Research is also needed to understand better the mental and physical burdens veterinarians face and the opportunities to provide more significant support.


In 2008 the WVA, together with OIE, created the World Veterinary Day Award intended to reward the best initiative of national veterinary associations to commemorate this event. This year the WVA and HealthforAnimals joined forces to formally recognise the most successful activities that help to strengthen veterinary resilience.

From the bottom of my heart, I sent all of you, veterinarians, my most sincere congratulations on this special day and encouragement to continue with your essential work for the benefit of our humankind. And please, take care of yourself!


Dr Rafael Laguens

President of the World Veterinary Association



Friday, December 17, 2021

San Lázaro - A Saint and a Refuge


In Cuban Catholicism, Lazarus, the patron saint of the poor and sick, is represented as a homeless beggar surrounded by dogs. ... Cuba's Lazarus works miracles for the destitute and the infirm, making him one of the country's most popular saints
San Lázaro is also known as Babalú Ayé, an Orisha in Santería.

"San Lázaro Viqia " is also the name of an animal refuge in 
Santa Clara, Cuba.
San Lázaro has a place of honour at the refuge.
Every year on December 17th, thousands of worshippers from all over Cuba make the pilgrimage to the small church in Rincón, 17 km from Havana. Santeria and Catholic beliefs have blended as people honour Babalú Ayé, the deity with healing power, also known as San Lázaro or Lazarus. Many pilgrims who come to Rincón are sick. People crawl or walk on their knees, some of them are carrying a cross or a block of concrete. Believers in Saint Lazarus ask for health and prosperity.

And on December 17 San Lázaro is loaded onto the tri-cycle in 
Santa Clara for a tour.
On November 19 ..  I traveled to Cuba.
It was a long overdue trip. 
18 months since my last visit thanks to COVID
For many years 10kg of medications for humans was allowed to 
enter duty free.
With COVID , until the end of 2021, this was increased to UNLIMITED.

Added to that Resolution was an exemption for Veterinary Supplies
Resolution 430/2021, published in Official Gazette No. 79 Extraordinary of September 9, 2021, authorizes the “non-commercial import” to Cuba of “antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, vitamin mineral supplements, instruments for veterinary use and accessories for pets, in their original containers, duly labeled and identified with the commercial and generic name or international common name “

Medications
With this opportunity I delivered medication and supples to Santa Clara.
We thank Dr.Michael Belovich and Yonge Street Animal Hospital for their donation making this delivery possible.
Suture
Collars and leashes

 Once I had my feet on the ground in Santa Clara
Dra.Roseli Ortega took me on a tour.

We started at Parque Vidal in the centre of Santa Clara. 

Dogs gather there as local protectors feed them.

If veterinary care is need, they receive it from volunteer Veterinarians.


Pregnant bitches are relocated to the refuge which is located in the "Hospital Zone"
I went for a ride along.

 
Puppies are then offered for adoption.
There is also a dedicated area for cats
San Lázaro Viqia celebrates it's second anniversary on this evening of December 17.
Obviously the dogs give thanks for this sanctuary
Volunteers are desperately needed.
One or two hours per week would be a huge help.
Food is always welcome.
If you, or anyone you know in Santa Clara, can help contact ...

If you would like to direct a donation through our Canada Helps portal use the "Donate Now" button.
Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!
Leave a message you are directing your gift to Santa Clara.