Calm After The Storm

The original plan was to arrive in Havana September 27 for our sterilization Campaña scheduled for October 2 -5.

With hurricane Irma hitting areas of Cuba hard it was decided to head down a week early.

We put out a call for support and you came through.

Pain control, antibiotic, anti-parasitics were the core of the supplies.

Also syringes, needles and shampoos.

Loaded with hurricane relief supplies purchased with a flash fundraiser we flew in a week early.

Upon arrival one of our bags was marked for secondary inspection.

All bags entering Cuba are scanned before reaching the baggage carousel.

"MX" alerts the inspector to look for medicines.

If you have an "AX" on your tag they are looking for food.

We were secure in the fact we would enter without issue.

None of our supplies were restricted or prohibited.

Also, the weight of our medications was under the 7kg limit for duty free entry.

Spanky Project is well known at Jose Marti Airport both with Customs and the Veterinarians so that made for a smooth exit.

Havana was eerily calm.

Yes it was low season but obviously many had canceled their visits.

 The Malecon, seaside drive, was closed.

 Dr. Zeynep Guleryuzlu dare not cross the line 

for fear of being whistled off by the military on guard.

 Irma's storm surge flooded blocks into the Vedado district and affected other areas.

 Vegetation in the Prado area was killed off.

Havana weathered the storm better than other areas of Cuba.

Our Havana team reported that our furry friends had fared well.

Sad to say the human side had their loses.

The third story of a already deteriorated building collapsed onto a bus killing three.

As the week progressed Havana regained it's vigor ..

 ... and life returned to normal.

Normal for us in Havana includes ...

... meetings.

The Sociedad Patrimonio, Comunidad y Medio Ambiente (SPCMA) is an NGO operating under the Oficina del Historiador.

They are the collaborating Cuban structure coordinating our activities.

Visas, import permits, permissions and activity locations are just a few administrative activities they manage.

A huge thank you to Martha Oneida Pérez Cortés - SPCMA President

Dr.Zeynep - Turkish veterinarian Team Spanky

 Martha - President SPCMA

Terry Shewchuk -Founding Director Spanky Project

Audrey Mabie - President Spanky Project USA

Going forward we are working on a program called the 

"Urban Animal Management Plan".

It's a pilot project being developed in Habana Vieja.

Also we are developing the 

Cuban Disaster -Veterinary Relief, Recovery and Support Program.

The future is bright for Cubans helping their animals.

We need your to help secure the future.

For Canadians a tax receipt will be issued for online donations at

CanadaHelps

and for cheques mailed to...

Spanky Project

172 Main St.

Suite 301

Picton ON  K0K 2T0

Canada

We ask that donations from around the globe use the above information.

EXCEPT for those in the USA. 

A tax receipt will be issued for online donations to

Spanky Project USA

or for checks mailed to

Spanky Project USA

2823 Colorado St

Long Beach, CA 90814

USA

GRACIAS

Dispatches from La Habana

Greetings from La Habana.


Here I am at day five and I finally have some time to offer some commentary about this trip.

December 14th found me partaking in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba (Veterinary Council).
This celebratory event was initiated and for the most part organized before the untimely death of Dr.Fermin, President of the Veterinary Council. His wife Dra.Beatriz Amaro picked up the torch and carried the planning of this event to it’s completion.



One observation from this trip is the increased number of dogs in the street. Not only increase numbers but in poorer shape.
More on this when I return to Canada.

09/26/2008

This trip to Havana found us staying at a hotel and not our usual Casa.
One week trips to Cuba are more economical if booked as a package.
The Hola Sun package we booked had us flying direct into Havana and staying at the Hotel Telegrafo. This four star is located across from Parque Central and beside my favourite cafe. So, for under $600.00 CDN, we received air into Havana with over 100 lbs of luggage allowance, transfers, and hotel with breakfast for one week. 
That is a great deal as air only with Air Canada would have been $800.00 plus.

View from our room

This trip I had quite a few things on my “to do” list.

To find this dog ...

To get an update on this dog...
And...
-Attend a campaign.

-Meet with Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba.

-Develop a process for visiting veterinarians to work with Cuban veterinarians on projects of mutual interest.

-To have introductory meetings with Havana area vets. These meetings were to discuss how the Spanky Project may be of assistance to area clinics.

So, with all of this in mind, it was off to Vedado and a meet with Amparo, head of Grupo Dulce Maria Loynaz.

"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”

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.

Wish List Wednesday

Here we go with Wish List Wednesday.

Please do not restrict yourself to the listed items. Everything is in need so look for sales in your area.
I have provided links to sources in various countries. If you come across a deal let me now and I may post it.

The last item on the list, an "animal marker kit", is needed urgently.
The company will ship only to the billing address of the credit card used for the purchase.
If you live in the USA and can purchase and deliver this item to Havana I will reimburse you once delivery is confirmed.

A similar arrangement can be made for Canada but the importation from the USA creates additional costs.



Australia
All Wormer


USA
Ivomec 1% Injectable

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

Bio Spot Pyrthrin Dip
4oz bottle makes 8 gallons of dip.


UK
Source for wormers

Drontal Plus All Wormer

Capstar


YOUR LOCAL DOLLAR or PET SHOP
6' nylon dog leashes
nylon collars
Dog and cat crates and carriers of ALL sizes

BIGGER TICKET ITEMS
Animal shaver with detachable surgical blade. ie Oster A5 Golden (110V) #40 blade, Andis MBG2 Pro-Animal Clipper Kit.

Animal marker kit ie Spaulding Electric Tattoo Animal Marker(110V)