Support for Have A Heart-Namibia

In 2023, we (all of us) helped 43 dogs, 28 cats, and 1 horse through the AKI-HaH-Namibia Emergency Fund, and 491 dogs and 1 cat received help through HaH's Lifetime Care Program with booster and anti-parasite protection. That's more animals than we've been able to help EVER through these 2 programs and as of today, with another month left of the year, 2023 funds for both programs have been fully expended.

We've never before published any of these stories - not in our monethly e-newsletters, nor on social media; with so many Emergency Fund client, we just never got to write about these before.....until now. They're all from just the past few months.

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You may remember Lady, who had a toothpick lodged in her paw, very painful! And she became an Emergency Fund client for the 1st time. Now, she's a 2nd time recipient after her owners brought her to Dr Erna's clinic in a panic. Lady had been badly attacked by a much bigger dog. I won't show you the gruesome photos of what the dog did to Lady's mouth and muzzle area (instead, the photo is of Lady and her family at the clinic for her 1-week post-op visit). Dr Erna was able to clean and stitch up the damaged area and after a weekend of rest at the clinic, Lady was ready to go home.This is a message that her family sent to Dr Erna:

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Sugar from Rehoboth is another 2-time recipient of the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund. He was helped a few months ago when he was injured during a fight with another cat. The 2nd time was for an abscess on Sugar's back paw and a small injury on his chin. Again, this was most likely from a fight even though he's been neutered (a requirement for Emergency Fund recipients). Sugar was sedated, his wounds were cleaned, and he was given a long acting antibiotic injection and an injection for pain and he went back home. When he returned for his follow-up, he was purrfectly fine! (see photo)

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Chokie's owner 1st brought him to Dr Erna when the little puppy had no energy. He was diagnosed with tick bite fever and some skin issues. He was treated and a little later, he was neutered--all set to live a long, happy, and healthy life! But when he returned to Dr Erna (see photo) for a follow-up appointment, although he had recovered from tick bite fever, his skin problem had gotten worse and he needed stronger medication. Dr Erna continued to follow up with Chokie and his owner to make sure he fully recovered and was getting nutritious food to become a big strong dog one day.

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Chavy from Mariental is another client of Dr Erna's and of the Emergency Fund. Chavy gave birth to 4 puppies but her family noticed something was terribly wrong. They took her to the state vet, but due to lack of medication, the state vet wasn't able to help and sent the family to Dr Erna. Chavy needed an emergency C-section! It turned out Chavy had a dead and already septic puppy inside her. Chavy was very dehydrated and septic herself, and her uterine stump was dead due to pressure. This was even past where Dr Erna could remove it without damaging the bladder so Chevy's body had to deal with some dead tissue that had to be left behind. The 1st night was especially a concern, but she made it through! After a few days, it was time for her family to pick her up (see picture) and bring her home. Her 4 tiny puppies went with her, but these are the last puppies for Chavy!

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To a dog in Luderitz without a name, our Emergency Fund was a lifesaver. He had a massive tumor in his groin area (not TVT) and to save his life, it had to be removed. But seconds into the operation, the tumor started bleeding a lot as there were many big vessels to the tumor. It extended through the inguinal canal. It was touch and go for the dog! Luckily, the surgery was successful and the vet was sure that it saved his life. (photo: post-surgery)

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We did tell this story in an AKI Blog post, but it deserves to be told again: A kitty from Outjo with a broken front leg had no owner in sight. She was in so much pain so the kind person who found her asked for help and was referred to HaH. The kitty got a lift to the closest vet in Otjiwarongo, about 70 kilometers away. Dr Elvira took x-rays to find out how bad the damage was, and the recommendation was: the cat needed to go to Windhoek for surgery. A lift was found all the way to Windhoek, 250 kilometers away. At Rhino Park Vet Clinic. Dr Minty successfully operated on the leg and spayed the cat, and put her on 3-week cage rest at the clinic. The kitty really needed a name, and Barbie was it. Then the search began for a home for beautiful Barbie. But no home was offered. Until Reni from Bubu's Animal Haven said she had space for Barbie! No better place will there ever be for Barbie! Once recovered, she got her next lift 500 kilometers from Windhoek to Bubu’s. it turns out Bubu’s Animal Haven is a 2023 AKI Africa-Based Animal Welfare Organization Grant Program recipient! We're supporting Bubu's to build a cattery with an enclosed outdoor area to protect the farm's wildlife.

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These and MORE(!) are AKI-HaH Emergency Fund cases that wouldn't have been helped--there's no other source of support--if not for your support. We are MORE than grateful to you for giving us the opportunity to help so many.

Links:

• HaH-Namibia page on the AKI website
• Kitsy's story: an amazing Emergency Fund story of a lucky cat