There Is Always a Challenge!

But, this one is over for another year.
Congratulations to Little Trinity in Toronto.

They won the $10,000 grand prize in the 2019 Great Canadian Giving Challenge.

Thank you to all who gave to the Spanky Project during the Great Canadian Giving Challenge.

Special thanks to our repeat donors and ongoing supporters.
We could not do ... what we do ... without you.
Here is a recap...

Country by Country

12 Canada

2 Australia

1 Cuba (in honour)

1 Netherlands

1 New Zealand

2 UK 

1 USA

Donations during our special June 2019 appeal, compared to 2018, were up...

.... 45%.

Muchisimas gracias!

We are returning to Trinidad, Cuba.

Our goal for the September Campaña is 250 sterilizations.

We will bring supplies for 350.

This will allow for mini campañas to be conducted afterwards.

These will be done by the local veterinary team

 who would otherwise  not have the needed supplies.

We have sent our paperwork for entry approvals.

The next CHALLENGE is to FUND Trinidad.

Our veterinary medication/supply bill is...

$12,766.09

Thanks to our over achieving February campaña,

 where our goal of 500 sterilization resulted in 628...

$12,766.09

is not in our account!

Seriously... it takes a village to make these campañas a reality.

Spanky Project Team Trinidad 2018

Become part of our Trinidad Team

DONATE NOW

Your gift will make a difference.

Trinidad - Thanks You!

Our first step into Trinidad was a great success.

Thanks go to many, but firstly to those who answered our

 "Trinidad Here We Come"

 appeal back in October 2018. 

Thanks to you we accomplished..

60 sterilizations

367 dog/cat deparasitizations and 

21 horse deworming.

During the set up day our welcome to Trinidad was made "official"

 as were we summoned to the assembly hall of the municipal government.

The Oficina de Conservador de Trinidad y el Valle de los Ingenios (OCCTVI) under the directorship of Duznel Zerquera Amador were our lead organization in Trinidad.

Duznel (left) and Vice Chairman of the municipal assembly

warmly greeted us and gave us their full support.

We were provided an excellent space to hold our campaña.

Across the street from Parque Cespedes

Each morning we were greeted by dogs, cats and their caregivers.

Joining our Havana Team were Veterinary students

 from Sancti Spiritus, the Provincial Capital.

To put on a mass campaña takes a big effort.

We thank you all!

Martha Oneida Pérez Cortés             (SCPCMA – La Habana)

Yamila García Calero                       (SCPCMA – La Habana)

Terry Shewchuk                             (Spanky Project Canadá)

Audrey Mabie                                     (Spanky Project USA)

 Katia                                           (Spanky Project en Cuba)

Justo                                           (Spanky Project en Cuba)

Lianet                                         (Spanky Project en Cuba)

           Anaelys Barbara Batista Gravie          (Protectora en Trinidad)  

Médicos veterinarios:

Leyssan   Cepero Fiallo                                 (La Habana)

Yanaisy Pino Quintana                                   (La Habana)

Yoesnay Saíz Guerra                                     (La Habana)

Luís Antonio Picallo Royero                           (La Habana)

Daniel Octavio Hernández Lima                     (La Habana)

Gabriela de la Caridad Morales Valencia        (La Habana)

Viacheslav Ediardovich Zenckov                        (Matanzas)

Michael Timothy Belovich                        (Spanky Canadá)

Byron Scott Mass (                                  (Spanky EE.UU.)

Stefanie Broman Valido                           (Spanky EE.UU.) 

Susana Beatriz Alonso Ponce                             (Trinidad)

Armando Lopez Bravo                                        (Trinidad)

Ibrahim Calero Herrera                      (Profesor S. Spíritus)

Erasmo Hurtado Sosa                        (Profesor S. Spíritus)

Juan Carlos Couso Mas                     (Profesor S. Spíritus)

María Luz Ledesma                          (Profesora S. Spíritus)

Ángel Oentón                                    (Profesor S. Spíritus)

  

Especialistas OCCTVI Trinidad:

Yamilka Álvarez Martínez                   Directora Técnica OCCTVI

Erni H. Alvarez González     Especialista encargado organización 

Yaney Puerta Padrón                          personal de apoyo (Bióloga)

Daymaris Rodríguez Balmaceda      personal de apoyo (Socióloga)

Yanisleidy Rodríguez Lara               personal de apoyo (Socióloga)

Estudiantes Universitarios de 4 años: 

Yanay Fernández Cedré                              (S. Spíritus)

 Beatriz González Obregón                          (S. Spíritus)

 Oscar Jaime López                                      (S. Spíritus)

 Delveis Leira Jimenéz                                 (S. Spíritus)

 Dailen Rumayor Díaz                                  (S. Spíritus)

Yaíma Hernández Obregón                         (S. Spíritus)

Anabela Siluma                                           (Argentina)

 Micaela Vechete                                          (Argentina)

Otros  

Alberto Bazo                                        (Chofer Univ. S. S.)

Yoandry  González Matos                          (Chofer OCCTVI)

Norberto                                                  (Chofer OCCTVI)

1

We are a third of the way to completing our planned 
first phase of 175 sterilizations.
Your donation is crucial to bringing humane population control to Trinidad

Trinidad was a "journey" ... we made it.. and will return.

Wishlist Wednesday

Julio and his wife Rosa operate Casa Colonial Munoz.
In addition to being a great host, Julio is a champion for the animals of Trinidad. He has been a great help to the Spanky Project and has created the Diana Project to better the lives of the local horses.

Below is the list from Julio. I have added links to where some of these items can be found.

About items I need for the project:
-wormers, hoof nails, hoof cleaners and hoof knives are always welcome.

- strong adhesive tape. Those used in American movies for tying up the hostage [read as Duct Tape]. According with the books you brought me are very good for hold the broken leg and cover the hooves for some diseases.

-I am learning shoeing so a tool kit will be great.*

-I am learning Monty Roberts method, I would like to have 2 long reins (equals) and a Dually halter (medium size)

- Cream for keep healthy the hooves.

*A number of the "tool kit"items can be found with a Google search for Farrier Supplies and Horseshoeing Tools.
Hoof Nippers, 15"
Saddle Horse Clinchers
Shoe Pullers
Driving Hammer, 14 oz.
Clinch Cutter
Rounding Hammer, 24 oz.
Pritchel
Rounding Hammer, 36 oz.
Forepunch
"The Knife" Hoof Knife
Rasps, 2 each
Fire Tongs
The Calvary Manual
Wire Brush
Farrier Apron
Shoeing Box - Aluminum or wooden of your choice
Rasp Handles, 2 each

Feel free to contact Julio directly-
Julio Muñoz
Address: Jose Marti ( Jesus Maria ) # 401
Between: Fidel Claro ( Angarilla ) and Santiago Escobar ( Olvido )
Trinidad. S.Spiritus. Cuba
Phone:
53 41 993673 ( International)
0 41 993673 (From Havana)
01 41 993673 (From other provinces)
993673 (Local)
Email: trinidadjulio@yahoo.com

Thank You

Trinidad and Ike

Preparing for Ike
Luna and the Lada
safe and dry.

At the time of this post the eye of Ike is locate very close to the town of Trinidad on the southern coast of Cuba.

This is a good opportunity to recap some of the work being done in Trinidad.
Click here for a trip report from 2007.

Julio's "Diana Project is progressing with the assistance of donated supplies from visitors to Trinidad.

If you are traveling to Trinidad, consider delivering some horse wormer or other supplies to Julio.

Wormer is easily found on the Internet

During my trip to Asia some good news was received.
“Success!! Shaggy arrived in the UK on Saturday afternoon., 17th Nov. I am now a happy, excited owner of a dog once again. “

By the sounds of it the process was not an easy one

“What a drama Operation Shaggy has been. Amparo and I spent all day going from place to place in a taxi. I needed official permission from the head of the vetinerary clinic in Habana, followed by legal validation of her signature at another office in another part of Habana. The rest of the day was spent at the airport, gathering all the other bits of paper to be signed and stamped. Amparo and I thought that was the end of it and the day of the flight would be easy. Wrong again! Another whole day was spent at the airport running from one office to the other - to the Customs office 3 times, an examination by the airport vet, paying for one thing in one office and another in another office. We were exhausted. Even Amparo was confused at the end of the process, and she speaks the language. I had 13 official stamps on my papers! She said it must be easier to move an elephant that it was to get one little dog to the UK. I could never have done it on my own.”


Sound like the exit process for pets could be streamlined a little. I think this is something we can work on.
All the best to Marilyn and Shaggy.

Shaggy Dog Rescue

Back in September I was in contact with a woman from the UK regarding a dog in Trinidad Cuba. She had come across the dog and could not shake him from her memory. This all came about as the result of a posting in a Cuba forum regarding rescuing a dog from Cuba. We had an initial contact and discussion about helping her on a return trip to Trinidad to look for the dog. This matter had slipped my mind until I read another post about taking dogs on Viazul, the Cuban inter-provincial bus service. Contact again was made with the dog lover and I put my resources to work in Trinidad. Last evening at the request of Julio in Trinidad I forwarded some low resolution photos that were sent to me. The dog has been dubbed Shaggy and one can see why. This evening I received word from Julio that there has been a possible Shaggy sighting. 
 More news to follow....

Cuba Day 7, 8 Trinidad

August 30-31

Leaving my big bag behind at Evora’s I began my trip to Trinidad.

As suggested I arrived at the terminal one hour (07:15) before departure. There was a long line up for tickets.
The line was so long in fact that passengers bound for an earlier departing bus for Varadero were permitted to jump the queue.
Finally with ticket (27 cuc) in hand and my one bag checked it was up to the restaurant for a “espresso doble”. A word of advise .... place your order at the counter then grab a table.

The Viazul bus service is the most reliable form of intercity/provincial transport in the country. This was a typical trip with the usual midway rest stop. There are toilet facilities on the bus but if you can wait for the rest stop the facilities are clean and comfortable.
Also available at these stops you can purchase snacks and beverages.
Five hours and thirty minutes after leaving Havana I arrive in Trinidad.

Founded in 1514 the present day population is 38,000. This town is the finest example of preserved colonial architecture in Cuba. In the 1950 Batista passed a preservation law that allowed Trinidad to maintain it’s character. In 1965 the town was named a national monument and in 1988 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

My casa was located a short walk from the bus terminal. First one must run the line of offers for accommodations as you leave the depot lot. Thirty plus people will offer you rooms in their houses. I think Trinidad must have the highest concentration of Casa Particulares in Cuba.
Casa Colonial Muñoz
is operated by Julio Muñoz and Rosa Orbea. Built in 1800 this colonial house is located in the centre of Trinidad.
Upon arrival I was met by Rosa and Julio. My room had a high ceiling with two beds, ceiling fan and air conditioning. A refrigerator was located outside of my room and my private washroom steps away.

Julio is a truly an animal lover. He sure does like them big. During my visit I met Diana,a foal that spends the evenings in the back of the Casa. Sad news Diana recently died as a result of an injury inflicted by a cow.

One of the reasons for this side trip to Trinidad was to reconnect with a Vet I met briefly a year and a half earlier. With translation help from Julio a plan is being developed which will assist locals their animals and the neighbourhood Protectora.

If you are staying in Trinidad or just visiting for the day consider dropping off a donation to help the locals. Trinidad is such a pretty town the animals should be in equally good shape.



Julio will gladly accept donated supplies for distribution to the local Vet and Protectoras.
Contact Information and Map

Cubans are known for their ability to make something out of very little.Veterinarians are no different. Here is an example... homemade cauterization device...

it's power supply is a transformer scavenged from a Soviet television.