Animal Welfare Namibia Project #18172

Support for Have A Heart-Namibia

by Animal-Kind International

Project Report | Feb 27, 2025
Looking back at 2024, looking towards 2025

By Karen Menczer | Executive Directive, Animal-Kind International

Antonia has glaucoma: heading to the vet clinic

Dear Have a Heart Friends,

We're already well into 2025, but I want to take some time to look back at 2024 and let you know of the accomplishments that you made possible:

Our AKI-HaH-Namibia Emergency Fund helped 36 cats and 28 dogs in 2024.
Through our support for HaH's Lifetime Care Program (vaccinations and parsite treatment for spayed/neutered pets) 698 dogs were helped last year.
95% of AKI funding for HaH was for the Emergency Fund; 3% for the Lifetime Care Program; and 2% for cat food (for s/n'd kitties of families that have a difficult time providing the high quality food their kitties need, for kitties with kidney failure and other health issues).

Looking back on 2024, we had a few Emergency Fund cases in December. One was Antonia, a kitty. Antonia was obviously dumped, she was very friendly and trusted people. HaH volunteer Ronja found her in an area in Windhoek, where cats are commonly dumped and immediately, she could tell that something was wrong with Antonia's eyes. Off they went to the vet and it turned out that Antonia has glaucoma, which can be very painful in kitties and of course, they can go blind. We agree to fund Antonia's surgery, which went well. But then, she had an allergic reacion to the pain meds and it was so bad, the vet had to induce a coma. Poor Antonia! She had to stay at the clinic a few extra days, but then went home with Ronja, who is looking for a loving home for this sweet kitty (see photo).

Scooby is another Emergency Fund case from 2024. He had tick bite fever. From a friend, Scooby's family heard about the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund and it was just in time. Scooby was very sick (see photo). Dr Rakel treated Scooby and luckily he wasn't past the point of no return! Scooby recovered, was neutered, and was sent back home--healthy and sterilized!

Tokoloshi, another 2024 Emergency Fund case, had distemper (see photo). Preventable with vaccination, his family just wasn't aware of the danger (now they are!) Luckily, his caretaker asked for help in time. Besides being treated for distemper (thanks to the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund), Tokoloshi was neutered and vaccinated. Geesche wrote, "Thank you AKI for saving Tokoloshis life!!! Without the emergency fund Tokoloshi would be dead by now!"

Lastly in December, is this kitty (see photo) from Omaruru, who had 4 burned paws, probaby from running on burning embers, at the nearby coal plant. His owner thankfully brought him to Erongo Vet Clinic and the vet knew to ask HaH if we could help. Of course we could! The AKI-HaH Emergency Fund was made for unlucky, but much loved guys like this one. The kitty was vaccinated against rabies and his four paws were cleaned, treated and bandaged. Luckily they weren't that badly burned and after two weeks of treatments and pain control, he fully recovered.

The 1st 2025 Dipping Day (part of the HaH Lifetime Care Program) was held in January in Rehoboth. A whopping 248 dogs were dipped and received other anti-parasite treatments. Some were scheduled for follow-up care. These dogs, living with impoverished families, would have no other chance to get seen by a vet (see photos).

For Jan & Feb 2025 Emergency Fund cases....we'll leave you in suspense until our next Progress Report!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us the chance to help these cats and dogs.

Scooby was very sick with tick bite fever

Tokoloshi had distemper-an Emergency Fund case

Kitty with burned paws helped w/AKI Emergency Fund

Dipping Day in Rehoboth!

248 dogs dipped at Dipping Day in Rehoboth!

Links:

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Nov 4, 2024
Our newest AKI-Have a Heart Emergency Cases

By Karen Menczer | Executive Directive, Animal-Kind International

Wally when he arrived, sick and sad, at the clinic

With almost 2 more months to go in 2024, we've had an influx of AKI-HaH Emergency Fund cases and it's looking like we'll again end the year having used all funds available in the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund. Here are our most recent cases:

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Wally was neutered in 2022 and that made him an official member of the Have a Heart-Namibia family, which meant that he was eligible for the Lifetime Care Program, funded by AKI (boosters and parasite treatment for life) and could be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Fund, depending on the issue, his family's financial circumstances, and cost of vet care. So when Wally wasn't feeling well and his owners brought him to Aanwo Animal Clinic, Aanwo checked with HaH, who told them that because of our partnership, Wally could get help. Wally had a virus (see photo of the day that Wally showed up at Aanwo looking very sad and sick) and had to spend two nights at the clinic on a drip and getting meds. But after two days, he was so much better, he was sent home with his family with the remaining meds and instructions for rest and quarantine.

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Ambassador is only 3 years old, but the few teeth he has left are all rotten. How painful this must have been for him! So he had ALL his remaining teeth removed at Southern Cross Veterinary Practice. Having been neutered by HaH, he was eligible for our Emergency Fund. Ambassador is somewhat of a celebrity: he was born feral at a fish factory, and now he loves to be petted. The fish factory workers enjoy his antics and he cheers everyone up. Through HaH, they sent a message to us: "Thank you Animal-Kind International for making Ambassador's operation possible!"

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Smolie had a brother who got sick last year and died. So when Smolie started to develop cold-like symptoms, owner Laurika was desperate to make sure the same thing didn't happen to Smolie. Smolie, having been spayed by HaH, and Laurika being short of funds, Smolie's vet care could be covered by the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund. Smolie was given a check-up at Farmhouse Vet Clinic in Windhoek and was sent home the same day with meds to treat an infection.

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Even though she knew she couldn't afford it, Susie's owner brought her to Farmhouse Vet Clinic because she thought she may have a broken leg. Seeing how worried Susie's owner was, Dr Chanel decided to ask if the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund could assist. Since Susie had been spayed, she was eligible and Dr Chanel was happy to let her owner know that the clinic could provide the treatment Susie needed for a broken hip, not a broken leg. Luckily, no surgery was needed, just rest, healing, and pain meds. They were sent home for R & R.

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Blackie from Rehoboth is an old HaH customer having been neutered some time ago. His family loves him and takes good care of him. He had an injury, we're unsure from what, but with all of that fur (see his photo below), his family didn't see it until it became infected and very painful. It was in a spot that he couldn't keep clean so off he went to the vet. Being eligible for the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund, he was given a check-up and some antibiotics to take home. Later we heard that the infection was gone and he was back to his happy, fun loving self.

Ambassador after his teeth were removed

Thanks to Laurika, AKI, & HaH, Smolie got help

Susie had a broken hip!

Blackie had a wound that became infected

Links:

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Jul 12, 2024
Some recent & feel-good emergency cases

By Karen Menczer | Executive Directive, Animal-Kind International

Wink after surgery with an eye patch : )

Usually I send as many Emergency Fund stories and pictures as I can reasonably fit into a GlobalGiving Progress Report. Instead, for this Progress Report, I'm going to send a few of my recent favorites. If, after you read this, you’re thirsting for more, check out our updates in AKI Blog posts (links below).

Little Wink from Walvis Bay was brought to a vet clinic to be euthanized. She had been at a local shelter and had caught a virus. It spread to her eye and caused swelling and she would need surgery to remove the eye. Other than that, Wink is a gorgeous, healthy, and playful kitten and the vet was convinced that Wink had a 100 % chance - minus one eye - to live a happy and healthy life.

The shelter had made the difficult decision to euthanize Wink since they felt that a one-eyed kitten wouldn’t get adopted. But in a happy coincidence, trap-neuter-release volunteer, Emilia, was at the clinic when Wink was brought in. Emilia knew about the Animal-Kind International-Have-a-Heart Emergency Fund and suggested that the Fund might be able to help Wink.

As always, we first heard Wink's story from HaH’s Geesche, who added, “We simply love our vets, they have so much passion for Namibia's less fortunate cats and dogs and despite the fact they are making much less money with the discounted rates HaH/AKI gets, they care about the animals so much and with a big heart!”

Of course we agreed to use the Emergency Fund to help cute Wink.

Wink got the surgery she needed and Geesche wrote, “Because of AKI, Wink was helped in no time. She took the operation like a champ. She is a perfect little girl and is now with her caring foster mom and hopefully she will soon find her forever home. Thanks to AKI little Wink has a chance to live the carefree life she was supposed to live when she was born. THANK YOU!”

(see the 2 photos of cute Wink)

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Stardust is from Rehoboth and he was neutered via HaH a couple of years ago. His family really loves him and when they noticed he wasn't feeling well, they took him to Aanwo Vet Clinic, where Dr Rakel diagnosed kidney stones. Having been neutered and having a caring family meant that Stardust easily qualified for the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund.

Dr Rakel was able to flush the urethra, but when that's done, the stones usually go back to the bladder, and from there, move again into the urethra and block the urine again.

But for now, Stardust was feeling so much better. Knowing this wasn't a long-term solution, HaH tried to find a ride to Windhoek for Stardust so that he could go to a larger hospital where x-rays could be taken and the stones could be surgically removed. But as much as HaH tried, they couldn't find a lift for Stardust.

After a few days, Dr Rakel decided to try to remove the stones surgically herself before they ended up doing real damage to Stardust.

Stardust's family was in tears and desperate to stop Stardust's pain, and they wondered if it wouldn't be the kindest thing to have him put to sleep. But Dr Rakel was determined to help Stardust, even under the difficult circumstances -- with no way to take an x-ray. Stardust was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and Dr Rakel performed the surgery (see photo).

His urine became more clear with fewer crystals. The surgery was a great success!!

Stardust was on anti-inflammatories and antibiotics for a while, and he is using his litterbox, drinking water, on a soft diet, and being monitored closely for now.

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Spokie was found by Charlotte a bit outside Rehoboth. He may have been dumped there because of his terrible eye injury. But other than that, he was in good condition.

Charlotte rushed Spokie (which might be pronounced Spooky, we're not sure) to Aanwo Vet Clinic in Rehoboth, where she knew he would qualify for the AKI-HaH Emergency Fund. Poor Spokie, he must have been in unimaginable pain. And--this part is really bad-- it wasn't a new injury, there were maggots in his eye. (see photo)

After arriving at the clinic, Spokie immediately went into surgery. He was in so much pain and he smelled horribly, as if his eye was already rotting, no time to lose!

The surgery went well, he got all the medication he needed to heal and be pain-free. He had to stay at the clinic on a drip for two days (see photo of Spokie after the surgery). When he was discharged, Charlotte took him home to foster him until he was fully healed. And he already found a forever home--Spokie finally was graced with some good luck!

And Geesche wrote to us, "Thank you so much AKI for being there for Spokie when he needed a life line!"

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Thank you to all of our kind, generous supporters. These happy stories are only possible because of your help!

Little Wink with her foster sister

Stardust had painful kidney stones

Spokey before surgery

Spokey after surgery

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