Day one of mass sterilisation campaign a success |12 January 2024
The vets in action
The nationwide sterilisation campaign aimed at controlling the population of stray dogs and cats in Seychelles got under way yesterday morning at the Grand Anse Mahé community centre for pet owners from Montagne Posée, Au Cap, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare and Takamaka.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment in collaboration with local non-governmental group, BE KIND Advocate, the ten-day campaign is targeting 40 animals per day and 400 animals during the next ten days.
Seychelles NATION reached the community centre at around 11am and by then 16 animals had been spayed or neutered. Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Nicole Saint-Ange, chairperson of BE KIND, described the day as a success. “For the first day I’m very satisfied with the outcome.”
One of the pet owners who was willing to speak to us was Francesca Joseph, 21, of Anse Royale. She had brought her three ten-month old dogs and said she was impressed with the whole process. “I am very satisfied with the process; it is well organised and does not take a long time.”
Other than representatives of BE KIND and officials from the ministry’s Animal Welfare Department, the sterilisation campaign is being conducted with the assistance of a team of volunteers, comprising seven veterinarians from Rostov-On-Don, Russia, led by professor and tutor, Dr Vakoulenko Maya.
One of the veterinarians, Dr Svetlana Broussova, said there were various reasons for the campaign, other than eliminating stray dogs and cats. “Secondly it is to avoid any diseases in the long run for instance cancer, mostly common in females. Lastly they fight each other for one female as their hormones is high, they become more aggressive that is why sometimes you can see packs of dogs on the streets,” explained Dr Broussova.
She is urging pet owners to put all their doubts aside and to come forward. “I advise the public to bring their animal. It is better for them to be castrated as it prevents diseases and pregnancy. Put all your disbelief aside and come.”
To facilitate the process, pet owners are advised to book their appointment in advance instead of just walking in. They should also know the gender and age of their animals. The process includes weighing of the animal, followed by the sterilisation part, which involves a small surgery. The public are advised not to feed their animals 12 hours prior to operation and to bathe their animals, as in the post-operative care, their animals will not be able to take a bath for almost 10 days.
They also advise the public to leave their animals in a closed area after the operation, for instance garages and bathroom to prevent infections or any other complications. “The post-operative care is very important,” said Mrs Saint-Ange of BE KIND.
The campaign will be continuing today in Grand Anse Mahé and will move to Grand Anse Praslin on January 13 and 14. January 16 and 17 are reserved for people residing in La Misère, Barbarons, Port Glaud and Sans Soucis and it will take place in Grand Anse Mahé. January 18 will be reserved for Cascade, Pointe Larue, Plaisance, Anse Aux Pins, Les Mamelles and Roche Caiman and will take place in Roche Caiman. The campaign will take place at the ICCS on January 19 and 20 for pet owners from Mont Fleuri, St Louis, Mont Buxton, Quincy Village, Bel Air and Ma Constance. The northern region covering Glacis, Anse Etoile, Beau Vallon, Le Niole and Bel Ombre will be on January 22 in Beau Vallon.
The team said it was prepared to work after the hours if the service was needed in some districts.
Anika Cathene
