Dear Editor,
While driving through Sophia some time ago I saw many dogs on the road outside a house, including one very sick male with a broken leg and a poodle with numerous cuts on its tiny body. I stopped and the owner came out; I asked if all 8 dogs were hers and she said yes. I asked how many were females and she answered five. I then asked her what she does with the pups and she said she sells them for between $200 and $500 depending on the breed. She admitted being stressed out from the large number of puppies born every 6 months. I told her the simple answer was to spay the females and suggested she contact the GSPCA and ask them about their free spaying service. I asked her if she wanted the sick male dog with the broken leg, she said no, and signed a paper to that effect. The dog was later euthanized humanely (by injection).
The next day the lady called to tell me she had spoken to the GSPCA but that she could not afford the transportation and vaccination costs. I then put her in contact with a vet and made arrangements for a donor to fund the spaying of her 5 female dogs. The woman has called me several times to say thanks and to tell me how much easier her life has become without so many puppies and dog fights to deal with.
While the surgery was taking place, a neighbour with 13 dogs was looking on and told me she would like her 6 females spayed. Some of her males were very sick and had to be euthanized but her 6 females were spayed a month later by a conscientious vet who provided the service at a very special price.
These are just two of the many examples of success stories in 2009 whereby animal owners, perhaps motivated by animal rights activists, have made the right decisions and had their dogs spayed or neutered. These examples show how owners, vets, animal rights activists and donors, working together, can bring about change. However, even though the GSPCA spays and neuters hundreds of dogs each year and private vets a few hundred more, this is only a small percentage of the animals; more spaying needs to be done to bring the dog population in Georgetown under control.
The exciting thing about this problem is that all of us can be part of the solution. Moms and Dads can make the right decisions to treat their animals properly and have them spayed or neutered; grandmother, grandfather, auntie and uncle can contribute a few dollars to cover animal care costs; children can care for their animals and help educate adults in regard to animal needs for shelter, space, food, water and love; and businesses and the public sector can provide funding and institutional support.
We are now at that time of year when people make promises to themselves on how they are going to improve in the following year. For all you animal lovers, you may wish to consider some of the following New Year resolutions to improve conditions for your pets:
I will build a fence to protect my dog and keep him close and safe in my home.
I will build my dog(s) a good shelter from sun and rain.
I will ensure my animals have clean water at all times and food on a daily basis.
I will have my female dogs spayed and my male dogs neutered.
I will talk to my family, friends and anyone who will listen about the proper treatment of animals.
I will talk to my institution’s guards to see how conditions can be improved for our watch dogs.
I will donate x $$ for the spaying and neutering of x dogs in 2010.
I will play with my dogs/cats so others can learn kindness through my actions.
I will not accept cruelty to or abuse of animals.
Happy New Year to all Guyanese who will be helping to make life better for their animals in 2010.
Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh
