Sept 28 Sexta desparasitación de mascotas

If you announce it they will come.

Sexta Desparasitación Masiva de Mascotas

Escrito por Karín Morejón Nellar
Jueves, 22 de Septiembre de 2011 17:13 La sexta desparasitación masiva de mascotas en el Centro Histórico, será el próximo miércoles 28 de septiembre, a las 8:30 a.m., frente a la Clínica Veterinaria del barrio Santo Ángel, situada en Habana entre Peña Pobre y Avenida de las Misiones. Gratuitamente perros y gatos serán inyectados por vía subcutánea contra parásitos internos y garrapatas. Es preciso que los animales se presenten higienizados y, de ser necesario, con bozal. Esta acción es organizada, entre otros, por la Sociedad Patrimonio, Comunidad y Medio Ambiente, el Jardín Quinta de los Molinos de la Oficina del Historiador de La Habana y el Instituto de Medicina Veterinaria.

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Google Translation...
The animal deworming is essential to achieving this healthy living and better coexistence with humans. For this reason there will be the sixth mass deworming of pets scheduled for next Wednesday September 28th, starting at half past eight in the Veterinary Clinic of Santo Ángel neighborhood. The facility is situated on Havana Street, between Peña Pobre and Mission Avenue in the historic center of the city, where the community service will be provided free of charge. This action will be possible through the efforts of a group of national and international organizations interested in improving the health of the animals infected with the capital Havana. According to the press release, dogs and cats will be dewormed against internal parasites and ticks subcutaneously. This requires that animals are presented in a sanitary condition and if necessary muzzled. It is recalled that an infested animal can not grow and thrive, and even parasites can lead to death. The animal parasites may affect the quality of life of people to be a carrier of many diseases. Hence the invites to everyone not to miss this call after the health of our pets and their owners.

This event was a celebration for the re-opening of the Veterinary Consultorio in the Havana neighbourhood of Santo Angel.

People arrived early with their pets.

And kept arriving.

Streets were blocked.

Canopies were erected

The crowd assembled.
Announcements were made.

The Vets were at the ready.

Maria Elena added decorative touches with some "globos"...

...as did Emma Clifford.

Yami and Sandra registered the attendees.

A little "people to people" with Dr.Maas.

Dr.Gispert drew off some of the remaining product for veterinarians to take back to their neigbourhood clinics.

Thanks go to Merial Canada for the donation of Ivomec used this day.

Before this trip I was contacted by Keven from British Columbia, Canada.
Keven and family were heading to Varadero and they wanted to help Cubans help their animals by bringing some supplies.

Emma Clifford, Founder/Director of Animal Balance
fills in Keven and family on the day's activity.

The Dubinsky clan came into Havana for the day
with a delivery of supplies that would be put to use in short time.

On this day 486 were registered as treated.
But wait there's more.
We were limited by time and they did come to take Dr.B's table.


Being a dedicated professional ... he kept working.

No one went home without treatment.
These events are very touching.
You see the love Cubans have for their "mascotas".
Many came a great distance via many forms of transport.

It was a great day and we look forward to holding these events in other neighbourhoods.

"5ta Desparasitación masiva de mascotas"

Well, it's Monday morning (June 7) and an eventful day is ahead.
This day is the "5ta Desparasitación masiva de mascotas"
A number of us were requested to arrive at 8:15 for a meet and greet.
So I hit the streets at 7:45 for the 15 minute walk.

As per normal, this morning was hot and steamy.

Calle Obispo was quiet enroute to Convento Belen.

My introduction to Convento Belen was in 2003. We toured what, at the time, was a re-construction site for a wonderful social concept.
This massive structure dating back to 1712 now provides ...

Housing for the elderly

Health clinic and pharmacy

Shelter from natural catastrophes

Services for disabled youth

Choirs and bands

Mass and religious ceremonies

Eye care and glasses

Computer and internet training

Physical therapy and exercise

Occupational training for all ages

Art, music and cultural activities

Meals for those in need

Community outreach

Support for single mothers

Crafts, art and music workshops

Upon my arrival I came upon the morning exercise in progress.

Set up and ready to go to work were the Vets and Techs.
Four stations under two tent provided the treatment area.

The balloons were being filled using a bicycle pump.

As early as I arrived, so did the dogs and their escorts.

Each person was given a number to facilitate orderly treatment.

Some showed up with more than one.

No one got past Susana and into the treatment until a space opened up.

These people truly love their dogs.

Ana Lourdes - Directora Ejecutiva of Patrimonio Comunidad y
Medio Ambiente Sociedad Civil (SPCMA)
opened the event with introductions and recognition of contributors and participants.

As you can imagine, it takes a group effort to put on an event like this. Showing us she has all her fingers is Soledad Pagliuca of the St.Augustine - Baracoa friendship Association. In addition to the wonderful support they give to the Baracoa area, Soledad and her group delivered 1000 needles and syringes for this event.

The St.Augustine group, as part of their varied good works, publishes educational material including Spanish language colouring books on Cuban endangered species.

Mags was happy when I presented her with a copy of 'El Manati" upon my return home.
If you know of a publisher / print house that could help their cause contact Soledad

Dr. Fernanado Gispert, of Clinica Veterinaria “LAIKA”, is the Veterinary Director for this event.
Before the first dog was seen he briefed the crowd on the treatment, which dogs would be excluded, the potential side effects and where to seek follow-up treatment if needed.

Each arriving dogs and escort were registered and interviewed by a Veterinary Technician.

Information was recorded ...

...then it was over to see the Vet were measurements are taken to calculate the appropriate dosage.

Where you have dogs you will have .... well... you know.

Members of Covento Belen diligently kept the streets clean to the point I was only able to use my Poop 'n Scoop bags once.

Seeing that we were going to have a large group waiting we took the opportunity to distribute educational materials. These included the "Benefits of Spay & Neuter".

On display was artwork by school children with the theme being environment and animal welfare.

This art piece points out the need to vaccinate your dog.
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They came in all ....

....shapes

... and sizes.

Some, too young to treat.

It was all over, as scheduled, at the noon hour.

The final total showed 428 dogs registered as treated. Some showed up after the tents were taken down - no one was turned away.

By time the big bottle of Ivomec was put away.....

...I would guesstimate a number of 440 for the day.

On this day I made some new friends that I look forward to working with in the future.
Standing beside my dear friend and adviser Gladys Morales is Sergio Chan Valdes.
Sergio is the Bayer - Animal Health Rep in Cuba.
Bayer has sponsored previous mass parasitization events.


Juan Gálvez Anllo - Director del Grupo de Fauna del Centro Histórico.
If you see an animal in a hotel or tourist establishment in La Habana Vieja they are Juan's responsibility.
I look forward to taking him up on his tour offer my next trip.

Congratulations go to Anna Lourdes, Ulice Acosta and their SPCMA crew.
Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler; Director of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana.
Dr.Fernando Gispert, Clinica Veterinaria"Laika", and all participating Vet & Techs
Everyone at Convento Belen and the surrounding community.
The dogs and those that care for them.

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Special thanks go to Susan C. for the generous donation of 1000ml of Merial's Ivomec which made this event possible.