Help Abused & Neglected Animals in the Seychelles

Dear Supporters, 

After a sustained period of fundraising by the staff and volunteers of GVI Curieuse for the Seychelles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), there was finally a significant fund available to hold a sterilisation clinic on the nearby island of Praslin. There are many stray cats and dogs on the island, which has an impact not only on the animals themselves in terms of

There are many stray cats and dogs on the island, which has an impact not only on the animals themselves in terms of welfare but also on the wildlife of the island, as it is home to a large number of threatened and rare endemic species, such as the Seychelles black parrot. Many of these stray animals are a result of breeding with pets owned by the locals. To try and help curb this problem, as often as possible, the SSPCA will invite dog and cat owners to a clinic where their pets can be sterilized at a vastly reduced cost.

The first step was to liaise with SSPCA to find out what their requirements were for medications and equipment for the event and then to purchase and ship the materials from South Africa using the funds raised. It was a rather complex and time-consuming process involving vets, prescriptions and importation documentation! Enough medicines, syringes, sutures and needles were purchased to operate on 100 animals, at a total cost of £1528.36. Once the materials had been secured it was then a case of setting a day and a place and advertising the event on the local radio so that pet owners could schedule an appointment at the veterinary clinic at Amitier on the south side of Praslin island.

The day got off to a slow start, but once the pets began to arrive, the vets, nurses, assistants and GVI volunteers and staff set about preparing the animals, carrying out the surgeries and monitoring them during their recovery. Everyone got involved, with some volunteers even getting hands-on in the surgery itself! All the animals were successfully sterilised and recovered well, with 32 male and female cats and dogs no longer able to contribute to the population of strays on the island. 

Following the event there was enough medication left over to hold one or two more clinics, and the next one is planned to be held in Cote D'Or on the north side of the island, straight across the water from the GVI base on Curieuse, which will allow pet owners in that area who couldn't travel to Amitier to also have their animals sterilised.

GVI would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to the SSPCA staff and government vets who all volunteered their time and services free of charge, and we look forward to working together at the next clinic. We would also like to acknowledge the immense amount of effort put into the fundraising events by all the GVI staff and volunteers who have participated in activities to make this event happen. We would also like to thank you, our donors here on GloablGiving, for your continuous support and donations!

With Gratitude, 
GVI Seychelles