Following concerns by tourists and overseas-based Guyanese about animal welfare in the country, a team of regional and international veterinarians volunteered their services and is performing surgeries for the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).
Currently, free neutering and spaying for dogs and cats is being done until August 1st.
Alexandra Rothlisberger, Senior Program Manager of the Humane Society International (Latin America and Caribbean) told Stabroek News that the team came to Guyana because they received several emails and calls from tourists and overseas based Guyanese who were concerned about animal welfare in this country.
She stated that on her first trip to Guyana with Trinidadian veterinarian Dr. Raymond Deonanan, they helped over one 100 and analyzed the situation in Guyana, hoping to develop a program which would be sustainable to the future.
“One of the main issues in Guyana is that there are not enough veterinarians and the cost to get an animal spayed, neutered or treated is too high. I’ve heard a lot of people say that the high cost is the main reason they don’t take their animals to the vet,” Rothlisberger said.
She indicated that this results in a high stray dog population and it also becomes a burden to the GSPCA. “We have to bring vets from Trinidad and Panama. We also have to bring our supplies because we can’t find them in Guyana. So the donations help us a lot,” she further said.
She went on to note that the Humane Society is working in collaboration with Guyanese veterinarian Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo and Panamanian veterinarian Dr. Yelitsa. They have plans on bringing more veterinarians in the future to help more animals but to do this they need funding.
Dominique Ahmad, GSPCA Treasurer, noted that animals can be adopted from the shelter. She explained that cats can be adopted immediately but a home inspection and approval is needed for a dog to be adopted. Ahmad said donations of cat food or dog food, rice, cat litter, bleach and money are highly appreciated.
The GSPCA continues to be committed to providing low cost health care to pet owners, educating the public on responsible care and treatment of pets, providing shelter to unwanted animals, providing treatment to injured and sick animals both within and outside the clinic and advocating for spaying and neutering to control the pet population and reduce instance of unwanted animals being strayed.
The GSPCA was established in 1903 by a group of volunteers after witnessing the ill treatment and suffering meted out to animals every day in the streets of Georgetown.
The GSPCA Clinic is at Lot 65 Robb St & Orange Walk.The vets are here until the 31st July.
