Support for Have A Heart-Namibia

First, it takes you! AKI and HAH-Luderitz, Aus, & Bethanie are so grateful for you.

A typical HAH Spay Day, during which around 25 animals are treated, costs approximately N$ 15,000, that's about US$1050.Thanks to you, HAH-L, A, & B has been able to sterilize, vaccinate, and provide parasite control for about 120 dogs and cats and cover other needed care for about 30 animals since we started raising money for HAH, a few years ago.

Second, it takes the Have-a-Heart team, all of whom work as volunteers. So the only funding required is for the costs of the spay and neuter operations, vaccinations, and parasite control (and sometimes special care for sick animals that are brought to the clinic).  

The actual surgery day is only 1 piece of many that have to come together to hold a Spayathon.

The HAH team next sets the dates for the spayathon and contacts the Luderitz Town Council, Bethanie Village Council, and their contacts in Aus, to book the halls they use for Spay Days.  The Councils not only give HAH use of the halls, they also advertise the event. In the case of Luderitz, the Town Council gives HAH a vehicle and driver for Spay Days. This is truly a global partnership!

HAH then arranges accommodation. The HAH team gets free accommodation from Element Riders in Luderitz, the Bahnhof Hotel in Aus, and the Bethanie Guest House. 

Food is important too for this hardworking team, and someone is usually kind enough to donate lunches. 

And finally it's time to sign up the owners and their pets for the spayathon, collect the dogs and cats and owners, and bring them to the hall for surgery (some owners and their pets get themselves to the clinic). This involves talking to the owners about the importance of sterilizing and getting their consent. Luckily, that's been pretty easy.

Since you, our AKI/HAH donors, have received several AKI reports on HAH spayathons, you know what's involved on the actual spay/neuter day.

Geesche, who has brought all of these forces together to make spay days happen in Luderitz, Aus, and Bethanie, said that without AKI donors, the August spay days would not have been possible!

One of the happiest moments during the August spayathons was when Jackals showed up with his owners. Jackals, a blind, senior dog, was neutered and received other needed vet care--back in 2015-- thanks to AKI donors. He's a much loved member of his family and came to the clinic for a nail trim (see photo)! That's AKI's and HAH's goal--that every dog and cat is as loved and well cared for as Jackals. 

Thank you for helping us reach this goal!

Dear AKI-Have A Heart Supporters,

At the end of 2015, Have A Heart-Luderitz expanded into Aus, and became HAH-Luderitz & Aus. Aus is a small town, with no vet, and many dogs and cats in need of care, including s/n. Then, in early 2016, HAH visited Bethanie, where they found a similar situation. So on May 31 and June 1, HAH-Luderitz & Aus added Bethanie, and held the 1st ever spayathon there. They were only able to do this because of your support.

UP to now, through the AKI-HAH project on GlobalGiving, we've given out 16 dog houses. We decided to use funds for s/n and any emergency care that may be needed rather than continue to build, paint and give out dog houses. The need and demand for sterilization and vet care is so much greater than the need and demand for dog houses.

Geesche with HAH-L, A, & B sent this news, which you can also read on the AKI Blog, with more detail and pictures, click here: Blog post from HAH

"After many hours of organisation and more than 2,300 kilometres traveled, the Have a Heart Luderitz team of Dr. Maya, Dr. Sarah, Dr. Baines, and Geesche managed, with your very much appreciated and much needed support and the help of 8 volunteers, to change the lives of 200 animals and their owners during only three and a half days of non-stop work in Luderitz and –for the first time ever – in Bethanie!"

The HAH Team had originally planned to spend only 1 day in Bethanie, but there were so many clients, they decided to come back the following day rather than put anyone off. Again, this was only possible because of AKI-HAH supporters. HAH-L, A, & B gets some local funding from individuals and businesses, but the bulk of their support is from our AKI donors.

Geesche ened her message on this upbeat note:

"When we started our work in Luderitz in 2014, most dog and cat owners were surprised that we also neuter males and not only spay females as “they are the ones having the babies”. We encourage neutering as it has not only countless advantages for the dog and cat itself and the owners, it also helps to preserve Namibia's Wildlife, namely the African Wild Cat! We are very happy about the fact that the number of cat neuters increased significantly in May 2016! Thank you for working with Have a Heart to aim for the time when there are NO MORE HOMELESS AND UNWANTED Pets on Namibia's streets! "

Thank you very much from AKI to our GlobalGiving supporters!

Karen

Links:

• The AKI Blog