]]> http://www.kohchanganimalfoundation.org/?feed=rss2&p=165 http://www.kohchanganimalfoundation.org/?p=46 http://www.kohchanganimalfoundation.org/?p=46#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:52:36 +0000 lisa http://www.kohchanganimalfoundation.org/?p=46

This poor fella was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some people found him in front of their home and he was terrified. They called in at 10 pm to tell Lisa that the dog had been cut in the face. Due to Thai culture, they didn’t state the severity of the case.

They told Lisa the bleeding had stopped and they thought he would be ok until morning. The next morning they brought the dog in…Lisa was SHOCKED !!!

Three hours later, and some 60 sutures our patient was “put back together”. These days he can be found in front of the 7-11 store and you can hardly see a scar.

Tua Lek (means, small one) came to our attention through our local favorite restaurant Blues-Blues. The owner told Lisa of a large male cat at the recycle yard that had been, he thought, run over by a car. Upon investigation, Lisa found Tua Lek had a terrible ear mite, flea and mange problems.

Tua Leak was brought to KCAP and spent 3 months here. The wounds on his head were to the bone and scratching had become habitual. Unfortunately, in order for him to heal properly we had to remove 2 nails from both of his hind feet. Today he is home and happy.

Sheeba had distemper, mange and bed sores. She had been tied behind a bar with no food or water for a week before she was rescued by 2 Americans. When she was brought to KCAP she could not walk and was very close to death. Emergency treatment was the only thing that saved her.

This is Sheeba after she had been with us for 2 weeks. She gained 11 kg., was able to walk and happy to get LOTS of attention.

Sheeba has been back at her “home” for over a year. I will insert a picture soon (right now my camera is broken). At this time she is fat, has an interesting hair color and plays daily with 3 poodles.

We appreciate the people that take time out of their holidays to assist us so that we can provide the services needed on a daily basis. Without their support, it would be very difficult to give each patient the time needed. These are the people that keep this facility running smoothly.

 

“Well, I can not find a home for all dogs and cats that come to me from the street. So I have no choice other than keeping them with me.”

But today is a good day and we are about to take 5 cats that have been treated and spayed back to the temple. Lisa is working closely with the temple trying to keep the cats and dogs that gather there healthy. At the moment they host about 30 dogs and 25 cats. Her volunteer staff David is responsible for the Temple.

“If anybody wants a cat or a dog, one can just go there and take it to give it a new home.” She explains to us.

Barely out of the driveway she receives the first phone call. A Thai lady is on the phone. She is worried about her dog which seems to be sick. Lisa tries to calm her down and starts questioning the woman.

“In some cases I can help on the phone. Then I do not need to pay any visit, but this is the exception. Mostly I do end up going to the animal in need or have them come to the clinic.” She tells us after.

But this seems to be a more serious case. Lisa finds out that the dog has been given Paracetamol.

“People think they are helping the animal by giving this medicine. But it is poison for the dogs and cats. It can easily kill a small cat.”

The dog is in Kai Bae and will have to be treated today. As we are driving along White Sand Beach the phone rings again. Lisa tells us she receives about 10 to 15 calls a day from people who need help. Laughing Lisa tells us that she came to the island seven years ago with the intention of teaching people how to dive.

“But when I saw the condition the dogs and cats were in, I had to do something. So it developed from there.”

We ask her about the project.

“I sold my house in America in order to establish this project.” She says with an expression of determination on her face.“

I invested all the money I had. Since 5 years I am trying to make it official so I can actively solicit donations.”

Money that she desperately needs in order to keep the clinic going! She is telling us about the abuse on animals and the organised poisoning on dogs. Her main duty lies in spaying and vaccinating the animals. The birth control to prevent the population from growing is a major responsibility which seems to be a vicious circle at times. But the situation has become a great deal better already.

Some people she tells us try to act themselves on birth control and give their pet Medroxyprogesterone. Women take this regularly every three months in order not to become pregnant. But the amount harmless to women can be lethal to the animal. When a cat for example is given Medroxyprogesterone the uterus can get infected due to the pus flowing out. Only an operation can help the cat. If untreated the uterus will eventually deteriorate in the body and the cat will die a slow death. Lisa does not like it when animals are taken to the human doctors.

“They can help humans but they are not veterinarian.”

She tells us about a case in which one dog brought to her was so badly affected by mange and distemper (A terrible skin disease caused by a parasite that makes the hair fall out and leads to crusting of the skin) that she had to put it down.

“Another dog was run over by a lawnmower. Half of his body was cut so badly, that I thought he was not going to make it. But I treated his wounds with honey. Honey has an antibiotic effect. He is still alive and healthy back with his owner.” She laughs.

“Of course dogs and cats astray need as much our attention as the ones that have homes. So we try to attend to all animals and go to them if they need injections etc.”

But if a spaying is done, Lisa and a Thai Vet do the operation in the clinic. Some days they do 4 to 5 spays or neuterings. Lisa hopes that the registration of the project will come through soon.

“Something has got to happen soon.” She says as if talking to herself, with a serious look on her face. Then facing us again.

“Otherwise I don’t know what will happen in the future!”We asked her whether she was going ‘home’ for the rainy season.

She just laughed and said “This is my home. The animals don’t now whether it is high season or low season. I am needed all year round.”

We just felt so much dedication from one woman. So many lives have been saved and so much suffering has been prevented.

What would the animals do without her?

Vet nurse from Australia

Kane was with KCAP from February 2008 Until August 2009. His compassion for the animals was outstanding. He was at the clinic 4 days a week and it was a delight to see his smile in the morning. His learning and understanding while studying with Dr. Edda Hoffmann was amazing. Kane’s medical development grew by leaps while working at KCAP. He  would assist with 4 surgeries in a row and not even complain !! We will miss him dearly and wish him all the best in the future.

We are 15 minute walk to the center of the village.

We have 3 very good restaurants that deliver to us.

Accommodation, near by, range from 200 Baht in the jungle to 3000 Baht at a 4 star hotel.

Below are some pictures (click to enlarge):

 

Please talk to your local veterinarian or hospital. Ask them if they have any medical supplies that they would like to donate to a charity animal health care center in Thailand.

If you collect any supplies, contact Lisa (mcalonie@hotmail.com) and she will inform you of the best way to send to us.