Survival of Animal Welfare Charity in Zimbabwe

It’s about 3 months since we last wrote a report for this GlobalGiving project. So much happens every week, we could fill a book!.

Our kennels are filled with strays, desperate, discarded or lost animals. We have been hectically busy. A typical case would be that of Spongey and his brave little mum, now known as Mrs Darling. A dead girl walking, this skeletal little dog was seen roaming in search of food.  She needed intervention, but there was a problem. Her bulging teats proved she was feeding a litter of pups somewhere. It took a couple of days to track the frightened and abused mothering bitch to where it seemed she had stashed her precious pups. Then we acted in force. She was returning to a walled garden, a house,  in fact in a good area.  We located her, and  one surviving pup, a velvety brown wriggling  lad who was obviously getting provided for by his heroic mother. The home resident vigorously denied ownership of the two waifs, although we had observed her going back and forth under the gate. Our informant and others had seen it too, but we had no proof (apparently)  so we decided to get them to the SPCA quickly to begin their joint recovery.

From there, Mrs Darling slowly gained weight and confidence, and has  become one of our favourites. Her puppy, Spongey is going to be a tall fellow, while his mum is petite.  He is fun to be around, and she is becoming more affectionate daily.  Now to get them both a home.

It has not all been positive.  We will not include some awful photographs, but in one case our Inspectors responded to a call about a sheep with all her legs broken. The story goes that the pregnant sheep, had been stolen. When she was eventually located, the two claimants had a vile dispute, and the victim again, became the animal. The accused thief broke all four of her legs when she was fetched. Our Inspectors had the awful task of ending her life, as she was in a pitiful state. The case in in the hands of the Police.

We are often left with various farm animals. Our Precious Piggy Petal has a somewhat sedentary life at the SPCA. We have not been able to find her a safe home, so she ambles plumply from her hay to her pond and back, most often followed by the Pretty Goat.  However  our new goat who is far more interested in the daily activities of the SPCA staff and volunteers.  She is a noisy lass, and seems to want to stare me out whenever we are doing a walkaround.  She was also stolen, found, and then never claimed. Maybe we can send her off to the rocky slopes that Sam the Irish farmer offered to our last herd. Miss Pretty has to stay, because she is rather convinced she is Porcine. Shush! Don’t tell her it isn’t so!  Her favourite place is lying on top of Petal’s substantial tummy. We have also taken on some rabbits for the first time, also a police theft case. Lets hope they don’t multiply!

We have had a good week so far regarding homes. Two soft floppy cuddle-pups were taken to a home. The new owner arrived with baskets and blankets and the right food…..which for Zimbabwe is unusual. We are content that they will be very loved. We also might be getting a home for another tiny lively and alert little girl pup who is to move to a local orphanage, so that the wonderful children therein will be able to learn how to love and be loved by a dog. A blessing for us all, so naturally, we have called the little pup Bless!. Her smaller brother is also hoping to be taken to the orphanage, as it’s a wonderful thing for the two pups to sleep together on cold nights. Hold thumbs for him. His name is Praise. He is half the size of his older tougher sister. They were brought in by a man who found them at an industrial property nearby, and we are grateful to him for not just looking the other way.  We adore these cats and dogs, but so few get a home. As you read this, if you are fence-sitting about getting a pet, please go soon to your local rescue centre and choose someone to love you in our name.

If you saw our last report, you will see that Mutare SPCA organized and held the  recent SPCA BLUE CROSS 500km ULTRA DISTANCE EVENT. 16 people walked for Mutare, and 52 cyclists and walkers took part.

There are no prizes, no cash given, but instead participants collect sponsorship for all the SPCAs of Zimbabwe. We do have awards like for example the person most representing the spirit of the event. This year we (The Blue Cross convenors, all Mutare SPCA volunteers,)  finally accepted a small group of young boys to cycle in a relay. It’s rather a risk taking children on such a long and remote and unsupported event. BUT these lads had the backing of formidable parents and other contestants urging them on. They belong to a group called Learning Knights, from Ruzawi (Junior) School, and they are asked to combine a sporting event with social responsibility.  They did themselves, their parents, their school and us proud. They raised over $19,000 (Zimbond.)  Unheard of!  For an idea of just how difficult this event was, you can read the extremely witty blog of Eric De Jong who had a JustGiving (through GlobalGiving) project raising funds. Google 4 Legs for SPCA. Thank you GlobalGiving. However the donations arrive, we are grateful to you.

This country, this little ZIMBABWE, is so beautiful, so quiet, and so peaceful.  We are privileged to be able to hold this event here in our Province Manicaland. We hope to put this event firmly on the map for anyone who loves cycling and long distance walking. 

So.....thank you for taking time to read this report. We would not be here, telling you of our daily happenings for animals if you gave up on us. We are so grateful to you all.

Links:

• WALK 500KMS FOR MUTARE SPCA? GET SPONSORS THROUGH GLOBAL GIVING