Edition 13: October 2009

SASHA news Edition 13: October 2009 SASHA Sunnydale Animal Sterilisation and Health Association 59 Francolin Road, Sunnydale, 7975 ph/fax 021 785 4748 cell 073 680 1175 [email protected] www.sasha.za.org NPO no. 52-823 PBO no. 930023737

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To spay or not to spay? I was very disappointed recently when I attended a local welfare organisation’s fundraising function. The guest speaker, a local veterinarian, stated that he didn’t see any good reason to spay dogs until they got older and that ‘a womb is there to be used’. I suspect that all of our welfare organisations will conclude that some vets are not aware of – or maybe don’t care about - the huge problems that result from over-breeding of dogs and cats. It is not just in impoverished areas that most pregnancies are unplanned. Few owners apparently give adequate thought as to how and where they are going to home puppies and kittens if they allow their pets to breed. Or to how they are going to pay their vet’s bill if things go wrong. Last year we wrote an article which I think is appropriate to print here.

Having a litter, for the children… by Karen Gray-Kilfoil (Animal Behaviourist and Humane Educator) and Dr Yvonne Robson (Veterinarian)

These words always make our hearts sink. Why? you ask. What better way to teach our children the facts of life than letting them see the process at first hand in their own home. While the idea of letting your cat or dog have kittens or puppies, so the children can learn, has the right intentions behind it, there are many holes in the plan.

What can go wrong?
Your children probably won’t see the mating, especially if it’s a cat. If they do, they may get a bad impression of sex, as it often seems painful and can involve aggressive behaviour.
Seeing a pregnant animal is very like seeing a pregnant human, so there is nothing really new about this for most children.
Your children probably won’t see the birth, as this usually occurs at night and owners are often not even aware of it. If the birth goes wrong, children could be frightened by emergency procedures or even the death of your pet.
If you can’t find homes for all the puppies or kittens, they may end up on “death row” with all the other animals at shelters. Is this a lesson you want your children to learn from?
If you do find a home for every puppy or kitten, they may be homes that would otherwise have taken pets that were in a rescue shelter, thus depriving ‘disadvantaged’ animals’ homes.
How will you check out the homes your special pet’s offspring go to? How will you know they are good homes? What are the alternatives?
Find a registered breeder (Kennel Union of SA) and ask if you can allow your children to visit the animals before and after the birth, and to see the development of the pups or kittens. Bear in mind that a mother with a litter is very sensitive and children may not be allowed to go too close, make a noise or touch them in the first few days.
Buy a good book about the facts of life, whether human or animal. There are plenty in your local library.
Find a good documentary or two about the “birds and the bees”. Again, there may be some at the library.
Take your children to visit an animal rescue shelter near you. Teach them about being humane and thinking about other animals, not just your own. Teach them about getting pets sterilised so that they do not contribute to the excessive number of puppies and kittens needing good homes. Is letting your dog or cat have a litter going to benefit the animal, or is it purely for you own selfish purpose? Hundreds of dogs and cats are euthanased each week in South Africa because there are not enough good homes for them all. By allowing your pet to breed and homing the offspring yourselves you may be depriving other, less fortunate, animals of homes – the ones that roam the streets or get stuck in rescue shelters. Parents, have your dogs and cats sterilised BEFORE they have a litter (before 6 months of age, earlier if possible). Your pet's personality will not change if it is sterilised. Don't contribute to the population of unwanted puppies and kittens.

Campaign Report

Since the last newsletter we have managed to schedule several more trips away. These trips are expensive, and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed financially. In July we visited Citrusdal where we sterilised 21 dogs and 22 cats. Many thanks, once again, to Drs Brady and Haupt from Penzance Veterinary Clinic for assisting, and to their team of willing helpers. Also to Dr Stevens for giving us the use of his anaesthetic machine. Thanks to Dr Cotton from Seapoint who accompanied me on a trip to the isolated village of Elim, where 24 dogs and 3 cats were sterilised. Thanks also to Dr Haw and all the other willing hands. In August we visited Eland’s Bay again. Whilst there were still plenty of patients (52 dogs and 45 cats), the local volunteers confirmed that the work we have done there over the past couple of years has made a huge impact on the community, improving the lives and health of many dogs and cats. This, of course, has only been achieved because of the volunteers’ continuing dedication during the months when we are not there. Many thanks to Dr Melanie Jones for accompanying us and assisting for the three days, and to Pippa Young, Claire Blackmore and Brenda Brunskill for all their hard work. Also big thanks to Tracy Mills for house-sitting for the Doc and taking good care of her furry family. In September we tackled Du Noon again, on the outskirts of Cape Town, in cooperation with African Tails and Animal Rescue Organisation. 86 dogs and 11 cats were sterilised in 3 days, and several treated for mange. A few dogs, in appalling condition, were euthanased. Apart from thanks to African Tails and Sonia, and to Dr van Niekerk and ARO (Calvin, Salome, Zola, Willie and Shaun,) sincere thanks must also go to Drs Cotton, McCann, Crouch and Siegfried for giving up their spare time and for their dedication. Work is continuing in this area.

EUTHANASIA essential or excessive? The ‘no kill’ or ‘pro-life’ debate will probably be with us forever. Whilst the idea of a ‘no kill’ welfare world is very appealing, it is completely unrealistic. I recently asked one welfare organisation to provide some statistics and this is what I received: for the last 6 months, the following applies: animals handed in (whether unwanted or stray) over every 14 days = average 70. Animals rehomed or owners found = average 25. So the question is, what should be done with the surplus? There are those who believe that an apparently ‘healthy’ animal should never be euthanased. But animal welfare is more than the sum of physical health and freedom from disease. Other factors, particularly the animal’s behavioural needs, (including the expression of social behaviour,) have a profound effect on its welfare. The number of animals entering rescue facilities makes euthanasia unavoidable. Turning animals away cannot be a responsible option. Euthanasia is defined as ‘the act of putting painlessly to death’. To home an animal, or keep it for a prolonged period in a kennel, for the sake of avoiding euthanasia is irresponsible. The welfare of each animal should never be compromised. Also, those that think they can save and home every animal should take a look at the bigger picture. And many animals which are owned are not wellcared for.

Many dogs and cats get very stressed when kept in cages, especially when they are overcrowded. Dogs kept in shelter conditions for extended periods of time (months / years) can go ‘crazy’ or develop depression or obsessivecompulsive disorders. Some animals with conditions like arthritis are going to live on for years in their ‘prison’ with their afflictions. People who run ‘no kill’ organisations generally do so because they love animals and do not intend to cause suffering, but resources (including financial) are very limited. So treating all those animals with, for example, bad skin conditions – and they often are curable – does not really make sense. Putting an animal through lengthy, often painful (and expensive) treatments when it has no home to go to... there ARE fates worse than death. Shelters should attempt to adopt out the best candidates: the animals should all be screened and attempts made to home to an ‘appropriate’ owner. If animals are homed inappropriately, or animals with serious behavioural issues are homed, people come out of the experience with the mistaken impression that shelter animals are ‘reject animals’. Those that get a great companion, however, will confirm that shelter animals are often ‘the best’.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Slumdog or Millionaire? Why you should adopt a mixed breed puppy

Karen and Jasper Pavement specials, mongrels, slumdogs, or whatever you call them……. You must admit they have a certain charm about them and, despite the derogatory names, they are often appealing in their sometimes odd, but unique, appearance. However mixed breeds do have some real advantages over their more aristocratic cousins, the pedigreed dogs. Many dog experts will advise against getting anything other than a properly bred pedigreed dog. The reasons for this are that it is easier to determine the character and behaviour of a pedigreed puppy, based on the genetic origins of the breed. For instance a Border Collie is almost guaranteed to be very active, very easily trainable and herd other animals as if they were sheep. While there is nothing wrong with good genes, there are so many other factors that go into making a good dog. The genetic makeup of a dog is only a part of the story. The rest (and I believe more important part) of the story is the environmental influences on the puppy. Everything the puppy experiences affects its behaviour and temperament: such as its mother’s actions, the area where the pup is raised, how many littermates it has, its interactions with other dogs and people, and so on. The list is endless and environmental influences continue to affect the dog until it dies. So every puppy, whether pedigreed or of mixed parentage (even at 8 weeks old) comes with some “baggage”, both genetic and environmental. It is not a clean slate. Pedigreed puppies can (and often do) have as much bad baggage as mixed breeds, depending on the breeder and many other factors. Luckily, despite all this, the way we raise and train a puppy has a lot to do with how it turns out in the end, as young puppies are still so impressionable and sensitive. It is a recognised fact by most veterinarians (although I have not seen a scientific study to prove it) that mongrels are less likely to have health problems. For example, hip dysplasia seems to be more prevalent in certain large breeds, but less common in crossbreeds. Bad breeding practises can cause interbreeding-related health problems. Selection for a certain trait can make the breed less healthy, such as “squashed” faces, which affect breathing. Mixed breeds are generally more resistant to disease, being tougher and stronger than their well-bred relatives.

How to choose a mixed breed puppy: • Do some research about what sort of dog you want. Look at breed books or websites for ideas. What do you want a dog for? Companion / Watchdog / Sport? Consider your lifestyle, living space and family composition. A small dog generally needs less space. A Maltese requires more grooming than a Jack Russell Terrier. A Jack Russell Terrier needs daily walks, games and training, while a Basset Hound needs less activity. • Make a short list of the types of breeds you like and think will suit your home. Try to get pictures of these breeds and perhaps also of the puppies of these breeds. • Go to your local adoption centre with your list and pictures. Explain what you would like and why, but also that you would be happy to take a mixed breed that fits most of your criteria. It is uncanny how often a dog that looks like a Labrador will behave exactly like a pedigreed one. • If there is a suitable puppy available, have a look at its mother (if possible) and compare the pup and its mother to your pictures to check that it really is more or less what you had in mind. Size is the most important factor and a second opinion from an experienced veterinarian or breeder is a good idea before making a decision. It is often difficult to tell what size a puppy will grow up to be and looking at the paws is not always reliable. • You may have to go to more than one centre or wait a few months to find the right puppy, but it will be worthwhile making the extra effort as your puppy may be with you for the next 15 years. The ideal age to adopt a puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. After that age (four months) the risk of bad baggage increases and puppies are less able to adapt as time goes by, so you need to be a lot more careful. However this applies as much to pedigreed dogs as mongrels. Also, there are lots of slightly older dogs (juveniles) and mature dogs in rescue centres - please consider giving these a home but check that the rescue centre gets a qualified animal behaviourist to assess each individual dog which will greatly increase the chance of getting a suitable pet. The most important reason to adopt a crossbreed is that you are giving a home to an animal that may otherwise not find a home and have to be euthanased. Slumdogs often make the best pets and are usually healthier, so they save us money. Better to feel like a millionaire, than look like one…… (With apologies to my colleagues who are excellent dog breeders.) By Karen Gray-Kilfoil Animal Behaviourist & Humane Educator www.animal-behaviour.org.za/karengray

NEWS In July our own Doctor, Yvonne Robson, received the SOGA medal of the South African Veterinary Association, which is awarded in recognition of exceptional community service rendered by a veterinarian. The award was given for exemplary service to the pets in impoverished communities in the Western Cape over the past decade. Yvonne also serves as the Chairperson of the SAVA Animal Welfare Committee and as welfare representative on the SAVA Western Cape Branch Committee, and her hard work impacts at a national level.

WISH LIST: Trailer Drip stand Diathermy Dog leads Dog food (pellets) Cages / holding pens for dogs and cats Animal catch net Medical supplies and Suture materials i/v cannulae / jelcos Helpers for monitoring collection tins Helpers for sorting and selling books Reams of paper A3 Weed-eater Fundraisers SASHA SAYS THANKS TO:

David Rowley of Scientific Engineering and Patrick Dyer of Rob Dyer Surgical for supplying a reconditioned autoclave, and John Damata for organising the donation

SA Banking details: FNB cheque account name: SASHA Fish Hoek branch code: 202 309 Account number: 62109363200 UK Banking details: Nationwide Flex account name: Y C Robson Branch code: 070116 Account number: 06614241 We get some donations paid directly into our bank account without a specific reference. Also sometimes there is just a name – we cannot thank you if we don’t know where you are – but thanks if you are one of these supporters! If anyone makes a payment in this way and requires acknowledgement or a receipt please e-mail us or give us a call to let us know. Thank you!

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DOC’S REPORT

TRANSMISSIBLE VENEREAL TUMOUR (TVT)...

...is a sexually transmitted cancer. We see many cases in the impoverished areas in which we work. It is usually seen as a bleeding lump on the external genital organs (vulva and penis). The cancer is spread from dog to dog by sexual acts and also by licking of infected areas. It may grow rapidly. It will bleed and so will lead to anaemia and the dog will become weak. Spread to other parts of the body may occur – to the kidney, spleen, eye, brain, skin and abdomen. This will lead to other signs – if the brain is affected the dog may have fits. The cancer will also be infected by bacteria and so it is very unhygienic. The cancer is progressive and must be treated to be cured – it will not cure itself. The most effective treatment is a series of injections which MUST be given into the vein by a veterinarian and must be given at regular intervals, usually every 7 days. The drug is a chemotherapeutic agent which must be handled with extreme care – gloves must be worn and an intravenous cannula placed as it is very noxious. It must be given for 4 - 6 weeks. It is also very expensive. If the course of treatment is not finished or not given at the correct intervals the cancer will not be cured. It is very sore for a dog to have a continually bleeding and infected sore on its private parts and it is irresponsible and cruel to keep a dog with this disease untreated. Any dog with the disease is likely to spread it to other dogs, especially unsterilised dogs. We are continually trying to educate owners about this, and it is yet another good reason we suggest you get your dogs sterilised in case they mate with infected animals. Dr Yvonne Robson

SCHOOL REPORT In August, after a 3 day sterilisation campaign, we visited Engelbrecht Primary School in Eland’s Bay. We presented to about 140 learners from Grades 3 to 7, accompanied by Monty, one of the local volunteer’s dogs. ONCE AGAIN WE APPROACH FIREWORK SEASON. PLEASE RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO BUY ANY, AND KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE!

Sterilisation figures 2008:

1,378

2009 so far: (1st 9 months):1,344

STERILISE – SAVE LIVES