World Spay Day 2021!

Usually, a lot of us veterinary travellers would be raising awareness of this day from somewhere abroad, but in the weird time that we are in, it's a day to reflect from home on the sheer importance of neutering and trap neuter release projects. It's a day to realise just how effective and necessary these missions are, especially now, a year later when we are noticing a real change and drastic increase of numbers of stray dogs and cats abroad.

Why is neutering important?

Not only can it prevent ill health in animals (such as pyometras and increased risk of mammary cancer in bitches,  and testicular and prostate cancer in male dogs), it also prevents pregnancies! Theoretically, a bitch can have up to three litters per year, and the average litter is seven puppies - this means that in six years, one bitch and her puppies could go on to produce 67 THOUSAND puppies.

This is why stray animal populations can get so out of control in places like small islands and places with no low cost or free veterinary services. 

High stray populations in areas means:

* more competition for food, 

* increased risks of fighting within cat colonies and packs of dogs - leading to wounds and injuries, which can lead to pain, sepsis and death

* increased risk of the transmission of diseases, such as calicivirus, panleukopenia, leishmania and so many more!

* increased risk of the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which can cause serious health concerns and death in both animals and humans, such as tetanus and rabies.

* increase in likelihood of kill missions from local authorities and governments to control the population due to increased risk to human health.

What is happening now?

Around the world, places that have not recieved volunteer help in the past year are already seeing the effects of a lack of neutering projects. Charities and rescues are full to the brim with stray dogs and cats, numbers of strays on the streets has risen dramatically, there are puppy and kitten 'booms' and an increase in the devastating spread of diseases like calicivirus and panleukopenia which end the lives of kittens at young ages. 

It is heart-breaking as a volunteer to see a lot of the hard work from so many of us be set back due to a year of not being able to help. But we must remember that this won't be forever, and that as soon as we can, we can get back on track!

All of the places I have volunteered in the past, which I assume is the same around the globe at the moment, are working their hardest to try and do as much neutering as they can but it's sometimes impossible - a big factor is time. A lot of the charities (if they are lucky enough to have a full time vet) will have their vet doing checks, treating medical inpatients, treating patients for injuries or wounds, and treating emergency admits to the rescue, as well as doing a lot of organising for rehoming, vaccinating, and basically anything and everything that keeps a rescue running - the list is endless!

As well as a lack of time, a lot of places have a lack of supplies and medications, as usually these are brought over by volunteers. It wouldn't be in the charities' best interest to spend some of the minimal funds they have on medications and supplies that could be wasted when things such as food and other vital supplies are running low. 

This day should highlight the heroes that are doing everything they can to keep the mission alive and help keep these animals and the people in their communities safe!

In Morocco, I work closely with the charity ERHAM, which is a charity that started out by feeding are caring for the street cats, which launched its first major neutering project in 2019 - when I first went and volunteered! Two of my trips there have now been cancelled due to the pandemic, which is heartbreaking, but whilst we have not been able to go and assist, the charities chair and lead vet, Baki, has been powering on with neutering as many cats as he can by himself, alongside his full time job as the city vet and being a father! 

In Sardinia, where I have been twice to volunteer with Vets Beyond Borders, I participated in a neutering project at a rescue called Lida Sez Olbia. The main vet at the rescue is one of the most hard working and amazing women I have ever met. She is in charge of hundreds of animals in the rescue, and also takes care of a huge 'ward' full of critically ill animals. As well as all of this, and organising a million and one things, and also caring for her own children, she also tries to neuter as many dogs and cats as she can so that the dogs and cats can then be rehomed - the kennels free from the recently rehomed animals are soon filled with new admissions to the rescue.

What can I do to help?

If you are a member of the public, consider donating to a charity which supports TNR (Trap Neuter Release). You could either donate money, or perhaps a bag of dog or cat food, or even consider a bake sale or another fundraising event.

If you are a veterinary surgeon, or veterinary nurse or technician, depending on where in the world you are and if travel is possible at the moment, consider contacting a charity abroad and seeing if you can volunteer for them. And if you aren't able to travel at the moment, consider planning a trip for when it becomes possible! 

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and when the ban on international travel is lifted, charities will be crying out for help around the globe. If you can lend a hand, even for just a week, it would mean the world to not only the people working at the rescues full time, but the animals in their care and on the streets and the local communities.