Our Record Clinic - Cardenas April 6, 2013

It was the busiest day so far in a history of our one-day spay/neuter campaigns. Since early in the morning, the IMV (Institute of Veterinary Medicine) Clinic in Cardenas was packed with people and their animals waiting to be checked in for the surgery. Not all animals were in a condition to be operated and their owners were advised how to care for them, so they could be fixed next time. In total, over 90 animals were taken care of, including 30 cats. Dr. Hanoi Dominguez broke his own record by operating on 35 animals.
With the demand for the free spay/neuter clinic growing rapidly, we will have to start planning two-day clinics.

First patients arriving

The waiting room gets crowded

Pre-surgery examiantion

Dailys comes all the way from Havana to help us with keeping records

 

Recovery room

Thank you all our amazing volunteers: doctors, veterinary technicians, and other volunteers who prepared the location for the surgeries, helped with the animals, and wrapped up everything, once the day was over. This day was your success!

"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it" - M. Williamson

Convenio de Colaboracion

The week of March 3, 2013 was an intense one but a happy one as well. After a long wait and a few trips to Havana, we have received a permit to bring anesthetics for the spay/neuter clinics in Matanzas Province. Just like the last year, Dr. Barry MacEachern helped us with this assignment, and we are forever grateful to him.

Dr. Barry MacEachern, Ingrid and Dave

Dr. Beatriz Amaro signing the Agreement for CCVC

Grace signing the Agreement for APAC

Dr. Hanoi, Ingrid, Grace, Dr. Amaro, Dr Slavik - in Havana

Finally - relaxing with friends

On March 7, 2013, the team went to Havana to meet Dr. Beatriz Amaro, the President of Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba. APAC-Varadero signed the Collaboration Agreement (Convenio de Colaboracion) with CCVC. The agreement allows us an official presence in Cuba in several circumstances:

- as partners in organizing  spay/neuter clinics in various municipalities and other locations across the island
- as suppliers of veterinary medical equipment and supplies,
- for exchange of knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine
- for planning, together with CCVC, annual activities that would benefit Cuban animals and their living conditions
- for exchange of experiences between Canadian and Cuban veterinary doctors, veterinary technologists, and other veterinary medicine professionals

Busy times are upon us as we intend to fulfill the commitments listed in the Agreement. We are looking forward to involving more Cubans into our projects. We also hope that more Canadians will be interested in exchange with Cuba. Both CCVC and APAC-Varadero need your help to fight the overpopulation of homeless animals and to improve the lives of working animals, horses in particular.

"It is only through labour and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things" - T. Roosevelt

January 16, 2013 Matanzas City Spay/Neuter Clinic

We have started a year with a clinic in Matanzas City. The clinic took place in a casa particular (Cuban version of Bed & Breakfast). Five surgeons, two students from Havana and several volunteers gave their time off to our cause. Fifty one animals were successfully operated. The team prevented several offspring of cats and dogs to be born to a life of an unwanted, stray animals - always sick and hungry, living short, miserable existence.. We are very proud of our team. In spite of the obstacles unknown to other rescue groups, they patiently continue their job. Congratulations.

2012 Fall Spay/Neuter Clinics (Highlights)

Isla del Sur Varadero Clinic

On September 22, 2012 a spay/neuter campaign was organized. A lady Named Alberta opened her house to our small team of three veterinarians and their helpers. Over 20 animals were spayed/neutered on that day including several cats trapped the day before.

Patients waiting for surgery

Dr. Slavik Zenkov spaying a cat

The Spanky Project TNR Cats Clinic in Havana

At the end of October 2012, the Spanky Project organized a week clinic for the feral cats in Havana. Hundreds of animals were fixed. APAC-Varadero helped by lending several carries. Dr. Slavik Zenkov and Dr. Hanoi Dominguez performed surgeries on several animals. It was a very successful event that we were very proud to be part of.

One of many colonies in Havana

Black cats are the last ones to be adopted...

Madruga Campaign (Mayabeque Province) November 10, 2012

Madruga is a land-locked place between Havana and Matanzas, away from the heavy tourists traffic. The campaign was organized with the participation of the Agrarian University of Havana. We met several familiar faces of young students who also volunteered at the Spanky Project TNR for cats in Havana - just a few weeks before. Almost 40 animals were spayed or neutered. It was a great day - seeing so many young people involved, and willing to help their country, was very inspiring.

Students - volunteers from Agrarian University of Havana

Cardenas Clinic, December 1, 2012

Another spay-neuter clinic took place in our 'home' town of Cardenas. Once again, the city's clinic opened its doors for our team of volunteers. The response from the community was great and many people came to take advantage of the free surgery. Each fixed animal, many running free on the streets of Cardenas, translates into hundreds of homeless puppies and kittens being born to short and cruel lives. Here are few pictures for this campaign:

 
Boca de Camarioca Clinic, December 15, 2012

It was a small, ad hoc clinic with Dr. Slavik Zenkov as the only operating surgeon. The village is located between Varadero town and the International Airport but has no veterinary service and a large population of homeless animals. Dr. Slavik went there to help, and performed several surgeries. He is planning to come back with a bigger, planned ahead campaign - in 2013.

"One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something." - Henry David Thoreau 

Pawlooza 2012

Once a year we let ourselves to relax and have nothing but fun. Pawlooza Festival is a perfect opportunity to do so. Our first appearance at this event for dogs took place in August 2011, and it provided us with an opportunity to learn how to present our organization to the Canadian public.

This year was great as we had several new ideas and more volunteers who helped us. Audrey Duann had worked hard to get animal toys and gift baskets. She also ordered t-shirts, bags and mugs with our logo - they were very popular. Jennifer Watts was able to get several gift certificates from the local London, Ontario businesses. Jackie Bowes, with great patience, did a penny drive at work, collecting over 10,000 of them! Jolene Hart - another great volunteer - created several posters with stories of our clinics, everyday work, and some special adoptions. Several of our rescues came for a visit including Nina and Rio who are fostered by Donna Snow of the Loyal Rescue.

Our booth was visited by hundreds of people (and dogs) and we had an opportunity to talk to Canadians about animal welfare work done in Cuba.

APAC's table

Our superstar Lily - a very special rescue

Jackie, Jennifer and Audrey

Jackie, Jennifer with Miley, Audrey, and Lynn with Lily

Donna Snow with Rio and Nina

We thank you all volunteers who helped with organizing this event for us. Weeks of preparations went to its success. A special THANK YOU goes to Lynn Wodzak, who, for the second time, coordinated everything - with a smile and a contagious enthusiasm! We hope to see you again in 2013.

"The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants" 

- Johnny Depp