This is how my Port Royal ‘project’ started...
Four years ago, when I used to go out to Port Royal every Sunday, I saw the plight of the dogs at a place called "Why-Not", where we waited for the boat to take us to
Lime Cay and the beach. I can't even remember how many dogs there were at that time or how many puppies were produced at regular intervals.
I began carrying food and basic medication for these dogs and eventually took the females to a vet in Kingston for spaying. In a remarkably short time, conditions
improved for the dogs, the numbers declined and for the last three years there have been only two dogs, both female and spayed, who patrol the yard and don't allow other
strays in their territory.
Ever since then, I have driven out to Port Royal at least once per week to 'make my rounds'. There I visit about 25 places, provide the owners with preventative
medicines, advice and give their dogs treatment as needed. I also know most of the street dogs and look after them. The last time I counted, it came up to some 50 dogs, not
including puppies.
After many consultations with the vets I know, we came up with the best medications for my purpose and as a result I can give each dog special worm treatment once a month
which also prevents heartworm and treats mange at a higher dose. Mange, which was rampant 3 years ago, has as good as disappeared as a consequence. I also treat wounds and
any other minor problems, like fleas, ticks and screwworm.
The spaying of female dogs is still my main objective. On average I manage to spay one female per month, working together with the vets at the Phoenix Veterinary clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, who spay my Port Royal dogs at a discount.
I have seen a huge difference in those places where all the females are spayed; the dogs are healthier and looked after better, simply because the number of dogs remains constant. Seeing this, quite a few owners have changed their attitude and have begun to listen and to take a genuine interest in their pets. Unfortunately, by the time I am ready to spay the next female dog, there are four or five litters of puppies in the bushes and it is an uphill struggle. I would love to take in one dog per week, but in the last two months I was not able to do any spaying due to first one, then another, of my regular Port Royal dogs breaking a leg, which meant two very expensive operations at the clinic.
Both doggies are recovering nicely, but it is in times like these that I need financial support, my small personal budget cannot absorb these kind of expenses. It would also be very satisfying to know that there are other people out there who care for animals and want to help. Every penny that is spent and accounted for will be used only to pay medical bills at the Phoenix veterinary clinic.
If you would like to help, go to... Funding