More Than Tourists.

It's official ..... let the packing begin.

We now have our Cuban visas in hand.
This piece of paper permits us to do more than tan, dance and drink rum.

But along with the visa comes other responsibilities.
Like documenting supplies for Customs/Aduana preapproval.
When are bringing purchased supplies totaling over $2800.oo and donations in kind of over $3600.00.

A big thank you goes out to Ethicon and Codman, both members of the Johnson & Johnson Family of companies.
Their generous donation of suture material and surgical instruments will be a huge boost to the Spanky Project's work in Havana.

Also a big thank you to those that have made donations here by PayPal or through the Cuba Canada Friendship Association/Mackenzie-Papineau Memorial Fund.

One of the three veterinarians on this trip will be Dr.Michael Belovich,

practice owner /veterinarian of the
Yonge Street Animal Hospital
in Toronto.
If Dr.B's name sounds familiar perhaps it may be because you watch Animals House Calls.
He is a frequent guest on the Animal Planet show hosted by Ann Rohmer.

This is going to be a great trip !!

Campaña en Centro Habana.

Dra.Magaly is the Director of the Colon Clinic in Centro Habana.
The joint and cooperative efforts of her clinic, Grupo Dulce Maria Loynaz
and the Spanky Project allows for free sterilization clinics to be held on a near monthly basis.

Colon is one of two (soon to be three) clinics that the
Spanky Project is working with.

Cats and dogs arrive in various forms of conveyance.

An important part of the program in Cuba involves education.
While the caregivers are waiting materials are provided to expand awareness
on the topic of animal care and welfare.

A history ...

and examination ...

...take place before each procedure.

The procedure is often completed in less than 15 minutes

Once the ear is tattooed all that is left is..

...post op and few zzzzzzzzzzz's

Another campaña completed.

Thanks go to the whole gang for their caring and dedication.
Also thanks go to those that have sponsored a spay.

Dogs, Doctors and Donations

D ...is for ... well ........Dogs!!



Each week in Havana, on average, 150 unloved dogs are destroyed.
The Spanky Project is supporting efforts for humane population control in Havana and other locations in Cuba.

D ...is for Doctors.



Joemel, Fermin, Ibrahim, Alexis, Portales,Livan, Eduardo,Luis and Juan are some of those I have come to know..
All of these Doctors have become compañeros in the fight for those that cannot speak.




















D ...is for donations
The work that the Doctors do with the dogs and other animals cannot be accomplished without donations of one kind or another.

Below
Jennifer (on the right) and her husband Yoan deliver supplies from Canada to Dr. Margarita Acosta (left). Margarita is the President of the Consejo Cientifico Veterinaro for the Province of Camaguey.
If you care to deliver much needed supplies, I have contacts in Trinidad,Sancti Spiritus, Camaguey, Holquin and Havana. (Varadero coming soon)