Wishlist TNR

In May we will initiate a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program for feral cats in Havana.
This will be in collaboration with the Emma Clifford and the great volunteers of Animal Balance.

Given the great success in reducing stray dog populations, cats are making a very public appearance.
We have been successfully prepositioned twenty cat traps for the May launch.

Thanks go to Animal Balance for coordinating the donation of the traps.

Through the generosity of Alley Cat Allies (they funded the purchase) and Tomahawk Live Traps
they were shipped from Wisconsin, USA to Ontario, Canada

Once they arrived it was time to figure out how to get them to Cuba. A public call went out on Cuban travel forums and generous individuals actually purchased traps and delivered them Havana.

That still left the fact I had twenty traps and accessories.
Thanks to Grace, Ellen and Ingrid of APAC Varadero,
Darci at CANDI International and Air Transat the traps flew free of charge to Varadero.

The traps are now in Cardenas with Ingrid. Soon they will make their way to Havana

We could use further assistance with the purchase and delivery of more traps to Havana.
These would not only be for our May campaña but will be used in other parts of Cuba.
Ideally in resort areas and Cat Café programs.

From Tomahawk Live Traps of Wisconsin USA
Cat transfer cage
Cat trap
Cat trap
Cat trap dividers

In Manitoba, Canada
Cat transfer cage
Cat trap

In the Vancouver area
Integrated Pest Supplies
Ask for the Tomahawk 606 Cat Trap

Also in preparation for future sterilization campañas we have wormers and other items on our Wishlist.

For those that live in Australia, or anyone happy to do mail order,
Ilium Pyraquantal is well priced broad spectrum wormer.


Troy Wormex also appears to be an excellent value.

Pet Tents such as this one and the ones below.
They are great for our recovery rooms especially when caring for cats.

... or you can always

Las Mascotas de Finca Vigia

June 8, 2010
This was a very exciting day.
It came together quite quickly and may be the seed of a proposed larger project.

For a little background check out this earlier blog posting.

We arrived on schedule at 10:00 at Museo Hemingway.
After intros and a photo op it was off to the task at hand.
It's Spay/Neuter Day at Finca Vigia.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
On the left is Tony of Pata-Paws Cuba .
Tony was a great help by providing transport and food for the dogs during recovery.
Check out their website. They assist existing Cuban groups in their work with animals.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Me , Tony, Dra.Danis, Dr.Alexis
-Alexis, the veterinarian from the vet clinic in Centro Habana who came not only prepared to demonstrate how to use propofol anaesthesia, but also to do the surgery if necessary.
-Danis, the veterinarian from San Miguel del Padron who Museo Hemingway would like to be the permanent vet but who doesn't know how to use propofol
-Tony, the husband of Danis who, while neither a vet nor a veterinary technician, has worked at her side for 15 years and has learned a great deal.

Tony wrangles Pinto for the long walk

The two Vets get acquainted while heading to our assigned surgical area.

Alexis was lead surgeon on the first neuter.
After some prep of the "surgical suite" ...

Photo:Susana Hurlich
....and a double check of supplies ...

... all we needed was some power.
Not only is Tony a "Veterinary Assistant"
he doubles as our electrician running a line for us to power the tattoo outfit.

Omar, one of the workers at Finca Vigia and who is particularly fond of Pinto, carried him down to the operating area while the rest of us followed. He held Pinto in his arms while he received the injected sedative and was with him until he more or less passed out, feeling very sad that Pinto would blame him for what was happening. Susana told Omar that quite the contrary, rather than blaming him, Pinto will know that Omar was with him throughout a frightening and difficult ordeal, giving him love and comfort all the time.
Omar seemed a bit comforted by that thought.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Omar and Pinto

After some careful calculations for the anesthetic dosage ...

Photo:Susana Hurlich

It was sleep time for Pinto.

Oh did I mention we operated poolside.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
We were quite the attraction.
As tours came and went we were a stop of interest.
Here Susana took the opportunity to speak with the various management groups of Hotel Acuario Marina Hemingway.

She also made sure to hand out some information about the Spanky Project.
They were impressed with the Cat Café concept.

Once the procedure is completed it's time for a little "ink".

The Spanky Project ensures that each dog or cat in it's spay/neuter programs receives an identifying tattoo in the ear.
In the case of strays it ensure that the females are not opened up again in another campaña.
All tattoos are entered into a database and reunification can be accomplished in the case of found pets that have gone missing.
It will be no different for the dogs and cats of Finca Vigia.

Pinto is FV1

Tony takes Pinto to recovery.

Within an hour Pinto was up ... out and about... charming the staff.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Negrito, a small black male was next.
This time, Danis did the surgery with Alexis and Tony assisting.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Before surgery these nasty ticks were removed.
A tick borne disease known as Ehrlichiosis is a big problem in Cuba.
The proposed program "Las Mascotas de Finca Vigia" will provide tick control
and treatment if necessary.


Ada Rosa Alfonso, the director of Museo Hemingway,
checks on our progress and make sure we are all hydrated.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Cucara the only female operated on this today.
Upon consultation it was decided that all the males be neutered and Cucara, having just come out of heat, be spayed.
This immediately curtails any chance of the dog population increasing uncontrolled.


While Susana and I were off meeting with Ada Rosa the Director of Museo Hemingway there was a spontaneous decision to do Feo, the third adult male. Feo means ugly but he's not an ugly dog. One of the workers at Finca Vigia, Ricardo, a guard, loves Feo and plans to eventually take him home with him as his own dog.

Photo:Susana Hurlich
Result: three males and one female successfully sterilized and with tattoos in their ears, and one other, already-sterilized female, with a tattoo in her ear.



Near our poolside surgery, Hemingway's fishing boat the Pilar is proudly displayed.
Beside that, the resting places for four of Hemingway's favourite dogs.
A testament to his love and caring for those that resided with him at Finca Vigia.

The goal of the proposed project Las Mascotas de Finca Vigia is to create and maintain a stable
population of cats and dogs that Hemingway would be proud to call his own.

Major Steps in Old Havana

As was mentioned in Susana’s wonderful write up we had a meeting at the offices of
Sociedad Patrimonio Comunidad y Medio Ambiente (SPCMA).

SPCMA is a Cuban not for profit organization that concerns itself with “the preservation, rehabilitation, management ,development and promotion of the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the City of Havana, and in the community and environmental issues that affect the City.”

The Spanky Project found itself here as a result of two efforts.
In planning my dates for this trip pencil pondering turn to penned permanence when I was asked by Amapro Lopez to attend the 5th Mass Deparasitation of Pets. Amparo is the coordinator of Group Dulce Maria Loynaz. Spanky Project supporter Susan Crawford has generously been making donations including a large supply of Ivomec. A 1000 ml donation as a matter of fact. This donation prompted SPMCA to hold a mass event on June 7th.

The second opportunity taken was to discuss setting up a Cat Café in Havana. This is a project Susana and I have been promoting for some time. If you are not aware of the concept you will hear much more soon.

We were warmly greeted by Ana Lourdes Soto Pérez -Directora Ejecutiva and Ulice Acosta Llanes - Especialista Cooperación Internacional at their offices in La Habana Vieja.

After introductions it was down to work. The level of professionalism exhibited by the whole SPMCA team is tremendous. Concerns I had expressed pre-trip, about the June 7th event were not only immediately addressed by email but addressed again in this meeting. This is a group one can collaborate with. Once we dispensed with present projects we turned to future efforts.

I presented Ana and Ulice with a Cat Café brochure which Susana and I had put together.
They immediately embraced the concept and designated a spot for the first Cat Café in Cuba. Stay tuned for more details.

Another matter that was brought up was our project development at Museo Hemingway.
Susana’s excellent senses led us to ask for their support of the project and organizational backing. Ana truly appreciated the project concept but regrettably could not give full backing. She did offer support in making the Veterinary Clinic in Vieja available to assist.
Most importantly she offered SPMCA office as a conduit through which we can be granted permission for entering Cuba with donated medical supplies.

This has been one great meeting...... BUT WAIT !!

The Spanky Project offered to collaborate on a 100 dog / cat mass sterilization event in La Habana Vieja. The offer was accepted immediately accepted in principal and a letter of cooperation and understanding will be drawn up shortly.
This effort will also include some international veterinary cooperation

And this was only day two.........