|
REPORT ON 5TH VISIT TO CALPE,
COSTA BLANCA
10th-17th November 2007
TEAM
|
Lynda Ross
|
Veterinary Surgeon
|
|
Emma Perry
|
Veterinary Nurse
|
|
Trappers/Drivers
|
Emma, James, Joel, Sue, Joe & residents
|
|
Vera Davis
|
Organiser/Administrator
|
A Trustee, a trapper/driver, and a vet nurse set out from
Stansted to Alicante to meet up with the vet
who was travelling from East Midlands. It
was an early start for all! As usual, the car and van were ready for
collection, pharmaceuticals were packed (which were transported from England
in the hold of the plane), and the team made their way to the surgery in Calpe.
Sunday saw an early start. Emma and James, who were staying in an apartment kindly
made available by Sue and Joe, were able to trap a couple of cats from the
North Beach who had ‘escaped’ the catcher during previous trips! There was
once again a list of calls that had been received by Sue following an
advert in the local paper. One of the first calls on the list was to
Benicuco, where an ex-pat had a family of six, that she was feeding, living
in her garden and was concerned for their welfare, as she was going to
Andalucia for some weeks. Five were caught on the first day, although
numerous return trips were required to check on the traps. The male took a
little longer but the next day his desire for sardines caught up with him!
All six ferals were safely transferred to an alternative feeder to ensure
their continued well being. Meanwhile it was busy in the ‘surgery’ with
ferals transported and collected by locals who fed colonies. There were
some cats coming in from nearby areas as well.
Ferals were seen and treated from various areas including: Carrio
Park, Buhlman, La Canuta, Cucarres,
Pedramalar, La Vallessa, Buena Vista, El Tossel, La Merced, Maryvilla, Altamira,
La Fustera, La Manzanera, together with those brought in by locals, and two
from the Town Hall.
We were lucky to have vet Lynda join us yet again. This time she was accompanied by
Emma, a vet nurse from the Royal
Veterinary Animal
Hospital in
Hertfordshire, and they worked together closely as a team.
This was the first trip where the team were not required to
work late into the evenings and the large number of healthy and contented
cats seen with tipped ears is testament that the programme is working. As
always females were kept in overnight after their operation, checked the
following morning ready to be returned to site. The males were released
earlier.
Towards the end of the week the team received a visit from a
reporter for “Around Town News”. He was told of the positives of Trap,
Neuter and Return (TNR) schemes, the “Gold Service M0T “the cats receive,
and the obvious effect the programme is having on the stray cat population
in Calpe. It was made clear no domestic cats are
treated, as the scheme is purely for the benefit of ferals. A very good
article detailing the work of the Trust was published in a recent edition of
the paper.
A total of 130 ferals were seen and treated during the week’s
work.
75 females - spayed
49 males - neutered
They all received multi-vitamins, long term painkiller,
penicillin, worm injections, and finally Frontline flea killer. The left ear was tipped for future
recognition.
Sadly, two ferals were euthanised, one as a result of a tumour
in the mouth that could not be treated – as it had grown so large the cat
was unable to eat. The second was a female who was unwell after her operation,
she was found to have an abnormal anatomy and had been unwell prior to her
operation but those bringing her in had failed to notify the vet of this
fact.
One cat, from Ecomar, that had already been neutered was
trapped to have an injury to his face examined and treated and after an
antibiotic injection was returned.
There were three cats brought in for spay/neuter, that had
actually already been sterilised but the ear tips were difficult to
identify, especially where they were in a ‘v’ shape. This again emphasised
the vet’s point that it is important the mark on the ear shows up, as it is
dangerous to work on an already sterilised cat.
One of the cats brought in for treatment had been sedated,
along with two of her companions, by their ‘owner’. As a result of her bad
reaction to the sedative, she was given intravenous fluids, removed from
the surgery and received supervision until she had recovered , but as a
result of her bad reaction it was not possible to spay her.
As all the flights were on Saturday morning the ‘surgery’ was
cleaned, a replacement pharmaceutical list prepared and the vehicles
returned back to the airport, ready for the flight back.
Our sincere thanks go to the following:
Elinor Gonzales for providing a room in her villa for a
‘surgery’ once more.
Lynda, our vet for her continued dedication and very hard work,
together with Emma
vet nurse, who joined the team on this trip, for her excellent
back-up.
Emma and James for trapping, driving and taking the vet and
nurse lunches and extra pharmaceuticals.
Sue again of course, who is now a Trustee, for accommodation,
some meals for Lynda and Emma and for helping in the ‘surgery’, together
with the help she provides throughout the year with any problems. We must
also say thank you to Joe, Sue’s husband, for his help with trapping and
transporting cats.
Not forgetting the locals for fetching, carrying and providing
some donations.
The team agreed this was once again a worthwhile week’s work
with everyone pulling together to benefit more ferals.
A Special thank you must go to the following Societies for
Grants without which many feral and abandoned cats would receive little or
no help.
Petplan Charitable Trust
Alice Noakes Charitable Trust
Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust
St. Andrew Animal Fund
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust
Louise Clark for her monthly donation.
Pauline Firks (Treasurer for the Trust)
These Grants are most welcome and very necessary for us to be
able to continue our spay/neuter programme in Calpe.
Following on are photos taken during the week’s work.
We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of
Animals (WSPA)
and are affiliated with RSPCA International.
We receive no funding.
Registered in U.K.
Charity No 1074492
Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)
Vera Davis (Mrs)
Chairperson
Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust December
2007
Following photos of work at Calpe Nov 2007

Lynda

Emma

Treated cats awaiting release

A ‘crusher’ cage is used for transferring a cat from a trap
REPORT ON 4TH VISIT TO CALPE,
COSTA BLANCA
4-11th November 2006
TEAM|
|
Lynda Ross
|
Veterinary Surgeon
|
|
Mel Castello
|
Veterinary Nurse
|
|
Trappers
|
Pauline, Terry, Joel and residents
|
|
Pauline
|
Treasurer
|
|
Vera Davis
|
Organiser-administrator
|
Two Trustees
set out from Stansted to Alicante
to meet up with the vet and nurse travelling from East
Midlands. As usual, the car and people’s carrier were ready for
collection, pharmaceuticals were packed, and they made their way to the
surgery in Calpe. On arrival the ‘surgery’
was made ready for operations. There are usually cats waiting, but it had
been raining heavily, and cats had gone to ground.
Sunday saw an early start for the team. Pauline and Terry who were staying
in Maryvilla, began
trapping in the area, and found there were many calls for their help. They
had a list of residents who had rung Sue before our arrival from an ad in
the papers. Sue resides in Calpe, and they
worked through the list.
Meanwhile it was busy in the ‘surgery’ with
ferals transported and collected by locals who fed colonies. There were
some cats coming in from nearby areas as well.
We were lucky to have vet Lynda join as yet
again. This time she was
accompanied by an associate vet nurse Mel, and they worked together as a
close team.
They continued occasionally working till late
evening to catch up with the volume of work. Females were kept in overnight
after their operation, checked the following morning, and then were
collected ready to be returned to site. Males were released earlier.
During Wednesday the team were told that Calpe
television, arranged by the Town Hall, would be arriving the following day
to film work in the surgery. I
understand the vet and nurse were filmed operating, also ferals recovering
after operations in recovery boxes etc. Luckily Joel was on hand to
interpret, as he can speak Spanish. Two Animal Wardens from Calpe
were also there. This seemed to go well, and I look forward to receiving a
copy of the film, which the vet would like to see.
A return visit was made to the harbour and
beach areas, where some 30 ferals were spayed/neutered last year behind the
wall close to the beach. The
ground had been cleared of vegetation and prepared for builders.
What happened to them? We would like to know. This was expensive and pointless
work. Many were domestic and
had just been left there, and were in good health.
A total of 197 ferals were seen and treated
during the week’s work.
115 females -
spayed
82 males
- neutered
They all received multi-vitamins, long term
painkiller, penicillin, worm injections, and finally Frontline flea
killer. The left ear was
tipped for future recognition.
Sadly, five ferals were euthanised due to
aids, cancer, and tumours, including a kitten very sick with F.I.V.
I understand that some cats were brought in
for spay/neuter, but fur had grown over the tipped ear, and they appeared
not to have been sterilised.
The vet wants to emphasise that it is important the mark on the ear
shows up, as it is dangerous to work on an already sterilised cat.
Lynda and Mel stayed a day later than the
team for more work, but no cats were brought in, and the trappers had
returned to the UK.
The ‘surgery’ was cleaned, a pharmaceutical
list prepared, the car returned back to the airport, ready for their flight
back.
Unfortunately, I was unable to go to Calpe
this time due to circumstances beyond my control, but I hope to be there in
2007.
We must thank Elinor Gonzales for providing a
room in her villa for a ‘surgery’ once more.
Lynda, our vet for her continued dedication
and very hard work, together with Mel who joined the team on this trip, for
her excellent back-up.
Terry our brilliant trapper, accompanied by
Pauline, who both worked in difficult conditions.
Sue of course who helps us throughout the
year with any problems, for accommodation and some meals for Lynda and Mel,
and for helping in the ‘surgery’.
Joel who is such a good help and all rounder,
who appears calm under pressure!
Not forgetting the locals for fetching and
carrying, and providing some donations.
The team agreed this was a worthwhile week’s
work with everyone pulling together under difficult conditions.
A Special thank you must go to the following
societies for Grants without which many feral and abandoned cats would
receive little or no help:
Alice Noakes Charitable Trust
Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust
St. Andrew Animal Fund
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust
Mrs.J.Bulmer
We are a Member Society of World Society for
the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and are Affiliated with RSPCA
International.
We receive no funding
Registered in U.K.
Charity No 107449
Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)
Vera Davis (Mrs)
Chairperson
Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust
November 2006
Following photos of work at Calpi Nov 2006

Lynda & Mel
filmed by local TV camera crew

Lynda

Lynda, Mel, Terry,
Pauline & local animal wardens

Joel releasing
white spayed feral

Ferals fed on the
rocks by a Swiss lady

Pauline releasing spayed/neutered feral
REPORT
ON THIRD TRIP TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA,
SPAIN
12-19 November 2005
TEAM:
|
Lynda Ross
|
Veterinary Surgeon
|
|
Victoria Tonks
|
Veterinary Nurse
|
|
Trappers
|
Terry, Emma, Joel and locals
|
|
Pauline Firks
|
Treasurer, general back-up
|
|
Vera Davis
|
Organiser - administrator
|
All flights at this time were either very early or
very late. 6.15
a.m. saw our vet leaving East Midlands
airport for Alicante.
Our vet nurse had a late flight from Liverpool,
and four of us left from Stansted, on a delayed flight.
As usual, we picked up a car and van from Alicante
airport, loaded pharmaceuticals and equipment, and made our way with Lynda,
our vet, to the loaned ‘surgery’. Lynda, who had worked with us in
February, began unloading contents of boxes and equipment etc., with Joel,
while we made our way to a local supermarket, only to find they had closed
due to our own delayed flight. The nurse was picked up late evening.
Early Sunday morning saw our vet and nurse, working on the
ferals, all from Calpe, who were arriving in
a steady flow. All automatic
traps had been lent out. It
appeared that locals had made their own traps in lots of cases.
A total of 170 ferals and abandoned cats were spayed/neutered,
and they all received multi-vitamins, long term pain killer, penicillin,
worm injections etc., finishing with Frontline flea spray. The left ear was tipped for future
recognition. The females were
kept overnight, checked the following morning, and then released back to
site. Males were released
sooner.
Spayed and treated: 101
females
Neutered and treated: 67
males
“
“
2 male dogs
There was no euthanasia, and no female was found to be
pregnant, so it appears November is the best time to carry out this work.
T.N.R. (trap, neuter, return) is the best internationally known
method of reducing the feral cat and dog population. The result is
healthier cats and dogs, who will eventually, if left alone, die out
naturally, leaving over populated areas free of ferals.
We returned to the beach and harbour areas visited previously.
All cats seen in February with tipped ears looked extremely well and
healthy. We were surprised to find only three small kittens, all in a bad
way. We managed to trap them,
and took them to our vet. She
treated their swollen closed eyes (through cat flue), and gave them an
injection. We took them back to the villa to continue medication and to
keep them warm. On our departure they were handed over to a German family
who work with ferals, to continue medication, and then hopefully they will
be homed .
I would mention that cats are being dumped on the beach area we
visit, some even with a collar. Obviously they are left there because there
are some feeders.
In some cases the owners have returned to their own country and
left them behind, which is inexcusable.
All in all it was a good visit, but as we were deprived of work
time through flights, no work was carried out on the final Saturday. Even
so, in the three separate week’s work, with one vet and nurse, a total of
545 ferals and abandoned cats from Calpe,
have been spayed/neutered, and given all necessary injections for a clean
bill of health.
We must thank Lynda, our vet, for her dedication and hard work,
and for accompanying us on a second trip, and our vet nurse Vicky, for
putting in excellent work.
We must thank of course Eleanor Gonzales for our ‘surgery’
again, and for our accommodation.
Terry for his usual excellent trapping.
Sue, for being such a help providing an apartment for the vet
and nurse overlooking the harbour, and for her valuable assistance both in
and out of the surgery.
Emma for standing in at short notice, and for her all round
help including driving,
trapping etc.
Joel for his knowledge of the areas visited and for trapping,
labelling and assisting in the surgery.
The locals for fetching and carrying, and providing some
donations.
A Special thank you goes to:
The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust
PETplan Charitable Trust
The Alice Noakes Charitable Trust
not forgetting Pauline, our own Treasurer.
These grants are very appreciated for our on-going spay/neuter
programme in Calpe, without which we would
find it hard to continue this vital work.
We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of
Animals (WSPA)
and are Affiliated with RSPCA International.
We receive no funding.
Registered in U.K.
Charity No: 1074492
Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)
Vera Davis
Chairperson
Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust
November 2005
____________________________________________________________________________________
REPORT
ON SECOND TRIP TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA,
SPAIN.
5-12 February 2005
TEAM:
|
Lynda Ross
|
Veterinary Surgeon
|
|
Tanzi Ridge
|
Veterinary Nurse
|
|
Trappers
|
Terry, Joel, Ron, locals
|
|
Pauline Firks
|
Treasurer, general back-up
|
|
Organiser
|
Vera Davis
|
An early start on the 5th February saw us at Alicante
airport collecting the rented car and people’s carrier, loading with
pharmaceuticals and equipment, whilst waiting the arrival of our vet and
nurse from Bristol
and East Midlands airports respectively.
We made our way to the villa, a room of which was to be used as
a ‘surgery’, which was supplied to us by Sociedad Protectora de Animales, (who deal mainly with
dogs), and had been used by us before. As it was early afternoon the vet
started work straight away when all had been prepared ready for operations. Cats were already delivered as
traps had been lent out before our arrival.
We were mentioned on air, and from then on a steady flow of
ferals and abandoned cats were arriving during the week. Our vet and nurse coped admirably
under all the pressure. Each cat was spayed or neutered, given multi vitamins,
penicillin, wormer, flea spray, and clean bill of health. The left ear was tipped to
recognise in the future.
A total of 196 ferals were seen and treated: Female 109
Male:
87
All ferals seen were from Calpe,
where there are a lot on the beach and harbour areas, which will warrant a
visit in itself. Some locals
were returning again and again with ferals from colonies, all anxious to
cut out unwanted litters.
During our visit a meeting was arranged with an official from
Calpe Town Hall, together with the Calpe Animal Warden, Eleanor Gonzales,
(chairperson and translator) from Sociedad Protectora de Animales, and
ourselves, when it was discussed that the Council would be prepared to
provide a shelter and feeding places for ferals away from the tourist area,
whilst we would continue providing vets and nurses including
pharmaceuticals for future visits to spay/neuter. It would appear that Eleanor
Gonzales and our Trust would be included in an official document for
signature. The Council would then like to use the “blueprint” of the work
to include the next town etc., etc. This would be a great step forward for
all ferals and abandoned cats in Calpe, and
hopefully in time along the coastline.
We would mention domestic cats are abandoned at the harbour,
one of which was a ‘special’ breed.
He was so friendly, we took him back with us to stay in the villa.
He was neutered, and has now been re-homed in Germany.
We do like a happy ending!
Sadly one of the harbour cats, a chocolate point abandoned cat
had a tumour at the back of the throat and was euthanase
We must thank Eleanor Gonzales for providing a room at her
villa for a ‘surgery’, and also for our accommodation.
Lynda and Tanzi,
our vet and nurse for their caring and valuable work.
Sue for the vet and nurse accommodation, who also helped in the
surgery as she is a nurse and had some time to spare.
Joel, for his help in trapping, knowing the trouble areas, and
his knowledge of languages.
We thank the locals for ‘fetching and carrying’ their ferals to
us for spaying or neutering, giving us more time to concentrate on the
harbour and beach areas,
and everyone who contributed to a worthwhile week’s work.
A return visit to Calpe November
2005 will be made if sufficient funds are available.
A Special thank you must be given to:
The Jean Sainsbury Charitable Welfare Trust
The Alice Noakes Charitable Trust
The St. Andrew Animal Fund
Marchig Animal Welfare Trust
for their continuing help with grants, without which we could
never have made the step forward in our work to help so many ferals left
stranded to fend alone with sickness and worse.
We must mention also our treasurer, Pauline, for her commitment
to our cause.
We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of
Animals (WSPA) and Associated with the RSPCA.
We receive no funding.
Registered in U.K.
Charity No: 1074492
Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)
Vera Davis
Chairperson
Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust
February 2005
____________________________________________________________________________________
REPORT ON FIRST TRIP TO CALPE,
COSTA BLANCA, SPAIN
8 – 15
November 2003
THE TEAM:
|
Angela Spatz
|
Veterinary Surgeon
|
|
Josaphine Quantrill
|
Veterinary Nurse
|
|
Trappers
|
Terry Firks
|
|
|
Ronald Davis
|
|
|
Local Groups
|
|
Organiser
|
Vera Davis
|
We moved up
the coast on this visit to Calpe having had our
equipment transferred from Campello in readiness back in the summer, and
with agreement from the Mayor of Calpe to work there. A party of 6 left
Stansted as usual on a morning flight to Alicante,
where a people’s carrier and small car had been ordered in advance. We
travelled through to Calpe where we were met
by a student vet nurse after the toll. We followed Joel some way on to
where the vet and nurse were to operate, and nearby to where our party of
four were to stay in a villa. The vet and nurse were accommodated in a
bungalow about twenty minutes away.
On arrival
at the place of work the vet and nurse prepared the ‘surgery’ placing the
pharmaceuticals transported by us ready for their work. They were dismayed
that after such a long journey from early morning, a total of l3 ferals
were already waiting to be dealt with. However they agreed to start work
immediately so that the cats were operated on before a number of cats which
were expected the following morning arrived.
There seemed
to have been a lot of publicity prior to our visit, and in Calpe
there were large colonies of ferals and abandoned cats, which were known to
the feeders, who were keen to get them neutered/spayed before fresh
arrivals of kittens, and the cost of food spiralled.
Officials of
Calpe Council arrived unexpectedly to ask for help in town where two new
hotels are to be built, with land between inhabited with ferals. We checked
and transported some back to the vet. All ferals were checked with tie-on
labels of their areas and when ready were taken back to site.
We were told
of beach cats, which were being fed by a few residents, and most of these
were caught and seen by the vet and nurse. Many of these were abandoned and
friendly cats, and now they will not produce, some will be homed.
Also we
visited The Rock – Casal de Ifach, where ferals were collected for
treatment and given a clean bill of health. The harbour area was visited,
and ferals were neutered from here. We understand a local group are
concentrating on this area.
A Spanish
vet arrived to watch the vet and nurse work, and local press took pictures
of the work progressing. Also we understand, a mention of us was made on
the air. There was a ‘conveyor belt’ of cats being dealt with, some
arriving, others being taken back to site. It was very busy!
We worked
closely with Sociedad Protectora de Animales Calpe
– Benisa who help both dogs and cats in the area. The principal was a great
help to us, arranging accommodation and the vet’s work area. This was a
large room adjoining the pool, and a further room for the cats to recover
in.
During the week the vet and nurse saw and
treated 175 ferals and abandoned cats.
102 female
73 male
Apart from
either neuter/spay, cats were given multivitamins, worming, penicillin,
painkiller injections, and finally flea spray. Their left ear was tipped.
Many cats had viral ulcers on their eyes, and
were treated with Fucithalmic.
Some had rotten teeth which were removed. Ear
mites were prevalent in many cases.
A couple of kittens were seen but were too
young to spay.
Where an eye had been lost, the socket was
stitched.
An almost blind female with ulcerated tongue
and rotten teeth was euthenased on humane grounds.
There is
still much work to do in Calpe, and
adjoining Altea, which has many ferals living on the rocks, we understand
being fed, but many need spaying and neutering. We have been asked if we can make a return visit in January
2004 before their ‘season’ starts, but
this will depend on our funds. Sadly, the RSPCA International and WSPA World
Society for the Protection of Animals have changed their policy, and no
grants are being given to member-societies for neutering, other than those
who operate in the country where they reside.
We will try
to continue with this hands-on vital work, as results are now being seen by
the residents of our previous visits, resulting in healthier cats, less
kittens, more manageable colonies.
We must thank:
Ellinor for her valuable help with
accommodation and assistance.
Gloria for accommodation for our vet and
nurse
Joel for his knowledge of languages to deal
with on-lookers, and knowing where the colonies were situated.
All the ‘carriers and fetchers’ who saved us
a lot of valuable time including Terry and Ron.
Pauline’s supermarket trips to supply lunches
for us all, with little extras, and her unending task of fund-raising.
A SPECIAL
THANK YOU goes to our vet Angela, and Jo, our vet nurse, both from the
RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital, London, who gave of their best with their
dedication and hard work, to make this one of the most successful and
pleasant visits to date.
SPECIAL THANKS MUST GO TO:
ALICE NOAKES MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST
ST. ANDREW ANIMAL FUND
SPANA
without whose financial help, we would
possibly not have been able to make this trip.
November 2003
Vera Davis
Chairperson
____________________________________________________________________________
COSTA BLANCA FERAL CAT TRUST
REPORT ON 6th VISIT TO CAMPELLO 8th –
15th JANUARY 2003
THE TEAM:
|
Louise Rayment
|
VETERINARY SURGEON
|
|
Lesley Young
|
VETERINARY NURSE
|
|
Trappers
|
LOCAL GROUP
|
|
Organiser
|
VERA DAVIS
|
Due to funds, and
following on so soon on the heels of our autumn trip, no trustee
accompanied the vet and nurse, so this report cannot be as explicit as
usual.
THE WORK
The vet and nurse
left the airport late afternoon Wednesday 8 January.
After locating their
luggage at Alicante
airport, they were dismayed to find the pharmaceuticals were nowhere to be
found. However, after a call to us to let us know, and being met by the
local group, they picked up a car at the airport (previously arranged), and
made their way to La Font to a holiday apartment, where it was arranged
they could work for the week using the lounge as a ‘surgery’.
Early the next
morning a trustee from the Society went to the airport to sort out the
pharmaceuticals, only to find they had not been put on the plane. They were
however sent on the next flight to Alicante,
arriving early evening that day. (Oh for a clinic!)
The vet meanwhile had
been to a veterinary hospital and borrowed some necessary instruments and a
small supply of pharmaceuticals, as ferals were being brought in for
sterilisation. However, our goods were picked up from Alicante
airport and work was started in earnest. I must add that this is the first
time this has happened, and indeed I hope the last!
Ferals were seen
from:
Jijona
Alkabir
Ameridor
(Market) Campello
San Juan
Coveta fuma
Vall de Sol
Bon Alba
Sella
La Colina
Busot
(Gypsy) Campello
Castalla
Benidorm
Campello
The following Tuesday
the vet and nurse went to the Eurotennis Hotel in Villajoiosa to continue
sterilising the ferals remaining untreated from the November trip. They
were accommodated for the night, and continued with the work the next day.
We understand all the hotel’s ferals, excepting two (which were impossible
to catch)., were sterilised, given multivitamins, worming, penicillin,
painkiller injections, and finally Frontline flea spray. The left ear was
also tipped for future identification. They all received a clean bill of
health The local group will continue to try and trap and sterilise these
two remaining ferals.
Hopefully now they
could become more of an asset than a liability. We can only hope.
A total of 106 feral
and abandoned cats were seen and treated.
There were no
pregnancies.
Sadly, we understand,
two ferals were put to sleep by a local vet, as they were very sick, and we
believe they had aids which had to be confirmed.
A total of 227 ferals
were sterilised and treated as above resulting from the November and
January trips.
Our thanks go to our
vet, Louise, and veterinary nurse, Lesley, for their great job, and coping
so well in difficult circumstances.
We must give special
thanks to the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust for their grant towards this
trip, which helped us to continue with this vital work.
Our thanks as well to
everyone who helped in any way for us to alleviate the distress of so many
unfortunate ferals, who have simply been left behind.
V.Davis
Chairperson
January 2003
REPORT ON 5th VISIT TO CAMPELLO 10th – 17th
NOVEMBER 2002
TEAM:
|
Hilary Fowler
|
VETERINARY SURGEON
|
|
Lorna Blackburn
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VETERINARY NURSE
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Pauline Firks
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TRAPPER/ASSISTANT
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Terry Firks
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TRAPPER/DRIVER
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Ron Davis
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TRAPPER/DRIVER
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Vera Davis
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OGANISER
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A party
of six took an early morning flight from Stansted to Alicante,
and collected a car and van previously booked from the airport. We followed
one of the local group to our destination at La Font, where four of the
party had a holiday flat. The
vet and nurse traveled on to a two bedroom apartment, where they were able
later to set up a surgery in the lounge.
We met up
as soon as possible early afternoon, following the local group to the
Eurotennis Hotel, at Villajoyosa.
This was a large modern hotel on the coast. When we arrived we saw a
number of cats, sitting on car bonnets, under cars, and in the surrounding
areas The hotel wanted these
cats sterilised, and the vet and nurse had the sauna in the basement for
use as a “surgery” (the sauna turned off). They set
this up with all equipment, and immediately trappers set to work fetching
and carrying cats in automatic traps.
We had no long journeys of transportation which was a welcome
change! The vet and n |