Grand Bahama, Bahamas - Mission: Potcake began Tuesday
morning (March 18th) with high winds and blowing rain causing some
delays, but the rest of the week we were blessed with beautiful
weather. Once we got rolling, we really rolled!
260
dogs and cats were fixed in the five day clinic. Working in the "out
areas" is
always a challenge as there is usually a high number of difficult,
lengthier surgeries due to many compromised animals, and this week was
no exception. Many dogs and cats were malnourished, and plagued with
parasites; for most this was the first time (and likely to be the last)
they have ever seen a vet.
An astonishing 60% of the female adult dogs and cats that we fixed were
in early stages of pregnancy; thus at least several hundred more
unwanted puppies and kittens were prevented from being born in the coming months.
We
were overwhelmed by the incredible
support given by the West Grand Bahama District Council. They didn't
simply provide a room in a building. They provided incredible physical
and moral support as well, and their enthusiasm and dedication were
absolutely vital to the success of this clinic. The council members and
staff went above and beyond each and every day for this project.
We
are also grateful for the support received from our counterparts in
Nassau, both moral and physical, especially the loan of an anesthesia
machine and over a dozen wire crates from Operation Potcake.
There is still
much work to be done in West Grand Bahama (indeed, all of Grand Bahama)
but we are very encouraged with what was accomplished last week. We
are confident that, going
forward and with adequate support; we are on the right track to
accomplish our ultimate goal of alleviating pet overpopulation and
animal suffering on this island.
Mission: Potcake was graced with the amazing skills
of several accomplished veterinarians: Dr. Dawn Gibbs, HSGB Medical
Director (Freeport), and Dr. Emily Hays, Dr. Sharon Staples and Dr. Sue
Gravlin, all of Colorado. Along with some amazing veterinary
technicians/assistants: Alex Nash-Ford, Michele Blackburn, Caty Critz,
and Lisa Petri, all of Colorado; and Ashanti Cooper and Karen Mathurin,
HSGB staff.
Funding
for this clinic was provided by many individual donors from abroad and
locally; a few large donations and many small ones are a true testament
that a large number of people can come together and make a project of
this magnitude a reality. Every single donation was important! This
included a very successful fundraising event held in Colorado last month
by The Kohn Foundation and co-hosted by several Colorado rescues who
are great friends of our potcakes (Outpaws, Colorado Animal Rescue
League, and the Evergreen Animal Protective League), and attended by a
large number of Colorado rescue friends and potcake adopters.
A
number of local supporters also rallied to provide meals for the
visiting veterinary professionals, and lunches for all the hardworking
volunteers. We are grateful most of all to HSGB board member Penny
Ettinger for organizing the food for both. And to food providers Judy
Rose, Susan Sweeting Jensen, Christine Parker, Siobhan Antoni, Vicki
Stafford, Gwynn Porter, Caraline Holding, and Brian and Debbie Botham.
And to those who donated for lunches for all the hard working
volunteers: Tony Cassano & Sandy Bragg, Tom Ward, Leslie Disler,
Nichole & Greg Holmes, Andrea & Steve Bayly, Cindy Albury, Elly
Decter & Rich Devries, Barb Stollery, and Karen Matlack.
M.A.S.H.
clinics such as this require an incredible number of support personnel
to run smoothly and efficiently. In addition to the veterinary team, we
had some amazing local volunteers assisting:
Intake/Admissions: Caraline Holding, Sarah Matthewman, Elly Decter
Discharge: Gloria McGlone, Cassie B. Meredith
Animal Transport: Jeff Morasco, Linda Sawall, Ashley Murphy, Gloria McGlone, Liz Franklin, Floyd Rahming
Cleaning/Sterilizing Instruments: Jacqueline Laker, Judy Rose, Jill Cooper, Nancie Pollard, Cassie B. Meredith, Doreen Jamieson
Recovery:
Lisa Pakosh, Ana Dickinson, Ivy Elden, Bev Dobinson, Barry Parker,
Elisabeth Jordgrav, Thea Albert, Letitia Parker, Jade Dobinson
Surgery Assistant: Michelle Lovatt
Not
to mention several HSGB staff who worked extremely long hours all week,
and others, both staff and volunteers, who came out to help if only for
a few hours. It all came together to ensure a successful clinic!
On a more sobering note: Different from the 260 animals sterilized,
100 animals (mostly puppies) were surrendered to the shelter during this
clinic which increased our average monthly shelter intake by almost
100% in only five days. Volunteers, fosters, donations,
and rescue options are needed more than ever before. If anyone can help
in any way, please call the shelter at 352.2477 or
email info@hs-gb.org.
