Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative set to sterilise 50 animals, but needs help
The team will make a challenging journey into isolated villages, outside Port Edward to conduct a mass sterilisation campaign.
For the dogs and cats of Mnyameni and Mtentu, two remote communities outside Port Edward, help comes only when dedicated animal welfare volunteers are willing to brave treacherous roads and difficult conditions to reach them.
This weekend, June 6 and 7, the team from Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative (TAWI) will once again make the challenging journey into these isolated villages to conduct a mass sterilisation campaign aimed at improving the lives of of animals.
A total of 50 dogs and cats are booked in for sterilisation.
Although the communities are only about 46km from the nearest turn-off, the journey can take between two and three hours along rough roads that become nearly impassable when it rains.
Yet despite the challenges, the team remains committed.
“The scenery is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and their animals deserve the same care and opportunities as pets anywhere else,” said Linda Dunn of TAWI.
In preparation for the sterilisation drive, volunteers recently spent a weekend visiting the area, carrying out health checks, deworming animals and assessing conditions on the ground.
The good news is that many of the animals previously sterilised by TAWI were found to be in noticeably better condition, healthier and carrying more weight than during earlier visits.
However, one persistent problem remains – ticks.
Large numbers of bont ticks are affecting many of the dogs in the area, causing discomfort and leaving animals vulnerable to disease.
“We were encouraged by how healthy many of the dogs looked, but the ticks are still a major concern,” said the team.
TAWI hopes to treat every animal that comes in for sterilisation, but the organisation urgently needs public support to make that possible.
Donations of tick and flea spray, deworming medication, Vitamin B-Co supplements, and dog food are needed to ensure animals are healthy enough to undergo surgery and recover successfully.
The organisation is specifically appealing for donations of Fiprotec spray, which helps remove ticks safely without causing painful sores.
If you can help, contact Linda Dunn on 082 7705579.
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