Help Us Transform Uganda SPCA Haven Animal Shelter

Dear Uganda SPCA Supporters,

The time has come to prepare to move to the new USPCA Haven location. In part this move is more sudden than we had expected and is due to circumstances beyond our control: The adjacent residents submitted a formal complaint to the Kampala City Council Authority about the noise and the odor from The Haven. The KCCA gave the USPCA an eviction notice with the deadline of January 15, 2022 and requested that in the interim, the USPCA attend to the noise and odor issues.

The USPCA did everything within their power to minimize odors. Of course noise-barking dogs-is beyond the shelter's control. The dogs bark mainly at feeding time--so although loud, the noise is mainly limited to a few times a day.

The USPCA Board has been negotiating with the KCCA for at least a three-month extension (we're awaiting the decision). As we wait though, of course we're not sitting still!

The USPCA is developing a master plan for the new location. Development of the plot is divided into phases; the 1st involves placing the most critical structures (animal enclosures, fencing, well for water provision) and preparing the land for additional development. We have some funds set aside for this, but we continue to raise money as we move into this new phase-transferring animals and infrastructure to the new site, building the most important structures to keep the animals safe and to cater to on-site staff.

Although the USPCA will be ready to move the cats and dogs if the KCCA refuses to extend the eviction order, based on negotiations and the actions the USPCA has taken to comply with KCCA's order, we believe they'll extend the order. 

On top of all of this, the USPCA staff of course continues to host visitors, and to rescue, provide veterinary treatment, and give the best care they possibly can for the > 300 cats and dogs at The Haven:

1) The USPCA hosts school groups, families, government authorities (even the KCCA!), veterinary students, and local community groups to learn about The Haven, the plight of street cats and dogs, how to act when a stray dog is nearby, our responsibility for cats and dogs, and how to best provide care for them (see picture of a group that recently visited The Haven to learn about animals).

2) Three dogs (see picture) were rescued after the USPCA received a call about stray dogs in the area. They had mange and were treated for it. The USPCA gets so many calls to help street dogs -many with mange-most also with fleas and ticks, many with injuries, some too debilitated to look for a meal. Soon rescued dogs will have quieter spaces to recover, and once recovered, will have plenty of room to exercise, play, and enjoy life at the new Haven. 

3) An early morning phone call from a USPCA friend helped save this cat (see 2 pictures) from any more stress and pain than he already went through. The USPCA is often called to untangle cats caught in razor wire-a bane to many animals. This kitty was brought to The Haven for treatment and, hopefully, for adoption.

Thank you SO much to all of you who have stood with and supported the Uganda SPCA (and Animal-Kind International) over the years. Together we've reached a turning point for the USPCA and we will soon be watching as our longtime dream-a larger Haven, a real haven-begins to materialize.

Links:

• USPCA page on the AKI website

Besides raising money for land (officially purchased, but still have a shortfall of close to US$30,000; and moving and construction costs still need to be raised), Animal-Kind International donors provide funds for daily operating costs of the USPCA Haven (see pie chart showing how donations-not including for land-were used). Over the 6 months from January through June, AKI donors covered USPCA Haven rent, Haven staff salaries, and cat and dog food. Normally our support is spread out a bit more-for electricity, water, USPCA phone, cooking fuel, and other shelter priorities. But with the shortfall in donations due to covid, the USPCA used everything we raised for the absolute basic necessities-rent, salaries, food. Without these, there would be no Haven.

Here are some of the rescue and adoption stories from the last few months, made possible thanks to AKI donors. First, a few hearwarming adoptions:

The picture above is of Sameem and her new male kitty, adopted last week from The Haven. 

Around mid-August, the USPCA found Rex after receiving a report that he was abandoned in Kololo. A couple of weeks later, Rex was adopted by a family with kids and 2 dogs. It's a great environment for Rex and he is thriving (see picture). 

Hope for Orphans adopted 2 kittens from The Haven a few months ago. Look at these lucky kitties now (see 2 pictures below) with two of the children at the home.

Now a few recent rescues:

Earlier this month, a friend of the USPCA found a sweet dog on the road having been knocked by a vehicle (see picture). The witness called the USPCA and the staff was able to rescue him. He has an injured leg and is recovering at The Haven.

On September 2, the USPCA rescued a kitty after she was attacked by dogs (see picture). She was treated for her injuries and has fully recovered.

At the end of June, the USPCA received a report about a dog whose snout had a rubber band around it and the area had become horribly infected. The picture below shows the dog at The Haven after the injury was cleaned up (you would not want to see it before).

In mid-August, this cute puppy was rescued from Entebbe. She had mange, was covered with fleas, and she was emaciated. The picture below shows her 2 weeks after being rescued. 

This is just a very brief summary of the many adoptions and rescues over the last few months. We hope soon to report on the USPCA move to the new property, where all these cats and dogs will have more space, more fun, more quiet--more of whatever they want!

Thank you so much for your support to Animal-Kind International for the Uganda SPCA Land Fund. None of this would be possible without AKI's and USPCA's dedicated supporters.  

Links:

• USPCA page on the AKI website