Jibacoa Beach Project

After lengthy discussions and much planning a ground breaking “pilot” project is about to be launched.

The Jibacoa Beach Project is its name.

The ultimate goal is to humanely control the cat and dog populations on and around hotel properties.We hope to put an end to the killing of stray dog and cat populations.

This is a collaborative effort with the founding partners being:

• Gran Caribe Hotels
• Consejo Cientifico Veterinario - Filial Mayabeque
• Institute of Veterinary Medicine - Mayabeque
• Agrarian University of Havana - Veterinary Faculty
• Comisión Nacional de Bienestar Animal - Matanzas
• and Spanky Project with APAC-Varadero

The first step of this project was to conduct a census and survey.

Step two will be mass deworming events to begin September 14, 2013

Step three is sterilization campañas of domestic and homeless dog and cat populations.

We look forward to sharing our progress. 

These programs come with a price tag therefore we also look forward to your support.

Isla

Isla is a homeless puppy found by Ingird. Shortly after she was found, it had became obvious that she cannot walk on her own - dragging her hind legs while trying to move around. In time, her condition improved slightly thanks to a loving care of Ingrid, who refused to give up on this poor creature. With some help, Isla could stand up on her own for a few seconds, but we were all faced with a big question - what to do next? 

Isla in July 2013

We knew she could not survive in Cuba; therefore, we looked for options in Canada. The response was overwhelming - within days many individuals and organizations offered their help. HART (Humane Animal Rescue Team) in Edmonton donated a wheel-cart for Isla. We are yet to see if she will need it as something else happened - Dr. Barry MacEachern from Nova Scotia (Hope for Wildlife house doctor) has made arrangements for Isla to have a surgery at one of the best veterinary medicine schools in the country - Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island.

Here is Dr. Barry's professional statement about Isla's condition:

"Based on the x-rays from Havana we suspect Isla has a birth defect of a malformed lumbar vertebrae.  Currently she has superficial (and therefor deep) pain perception.  She has anal tone and is completely continent both urinary and fecal.  She can stand on her own but does have pro-prioceptive deficits.  The hope is that if we can open up the spinal canal and stabilize the vertebrae then she will improve.  The clinical signs/exam findings provided suggest we can make a difference in this dogs mobility."

So - Isla is coming to Canada. It took a team of people and several organizations to arrange her arrival.  We will tell you more about them all, and about Isla's progress once she is here, and we have a chance to follow her story...

Isla on August 24, 2013

Marti Spay/Neuter Campaign July 20, 2013

Marti is a small town east of Cardenas. It does not have veterinary services, and, just like the rest of Cuba, it is struggling with the overpopulation of homeless animals. The team was asked to organize the clinic there, so people could learn about the proper care of their pets and the benefits of sterilization. Quite a crowd showed up, and the doctors (Dr. Hanoi, Dr. Julio, and Dr. Omar) spent some time explaining the importance of spaying/neutering dogs and cats. They also discussed other animal health issues. The deworming followed, done with the Bayer medications received through Dr. Chan from Havana, and also with APAC’s supplies like Advantage and Revolution donated by our Canadian supporters. During spay/neuter surgeries, doctors discovered some other problems with dogs, and took care of them right away. The locals were impressed with the team and the work done. We are hoping that they will share their experience with the neighbours, and that another request for the clinic will come from Marti soon.

Ingrid - APAC's Executive Assistant

Queue outside the clinic - waiting to register pets for the surgeries

Let's see how much anesthetics will you need...

Surgery

Dr. Julio - one of the regular volunteer surgeons

The Team of the Marti campaign

Cardenas July 6, 2013 Spay/Neuter Campaign

Massive rain falls flooded the Cardenas clinic and all the preparatory work had to be done twice. Luckily, on the day of the campaign the weather was nice, and the surgeries went well without any interruptions. There were a few homeless dogs taken care of, including our handicapped puppy and her mother. Fifteen cats were also spayed. Thank you Team for your great work.

Isla with her mom

Arriving for the surgery

Dr. Slavik Zenkov at work

Cats in recovery room