Dodou in The Netherlands

Thanks to the generosity of our vet, Rob Schell and his wife Yvonne, and our webmaster Gary Constable, Dodou was able to discover the delights of The Netherlands during August. As well as sight-seeing he visited Rob's veterinary practice in Spijkenisse and went out on call! He also improved his computer skills with Gary's help, and met Caroline, one of GambiCats' Dutch supporters who is translating some of the website into Dutch.

Help for street dogs

A small group of Peace Corps workers led by Mike McConnell, have been funding the neutering of stray street bitches. Dodou and the team have been extra busy catching as Mike returned to the US last month and the programme may not continue. We would like to thank Mike and friends for sponsoring the spaying of 11 bitches.

Senegambia, Kombo Beach and Sarge's hotels co-operate with publicity.
Many visitors to The Gambia ask us why it is difficult to find information about GambiCats from their hotels. There are several reasons, most hotels have not yet given permission for leaflets & posters to be displayed. Others have, but our leaflets get removed and our holders used by 'entrepreneurs' until we reclaim them!
We are delighted that these three hotels have given permission for posters and leaflets to be displayed. If you don't see copies, please ask the reception staff about them and let us know.

Dr Daffeh continues his support for GambiCats' work
Dr Kebbe Daffeh is the Deputy Director of the Animal Health and Production Services at Abuko, part of the Ministry of Agriculture. He studied veterinary medicine in the Ukraine and Belgium, and worked at the ITC before  joining the Ministry. Dr Daffeh has been a strong supporter of our welfare and neutering programme for several years and provided facilities at Abuko for the last 2 clinics. He also encourages the hotels to work with us and has sent staff to advise hotel managers when problems occur.

More donations of veterinary items

We have been delighted to receive various veterinary drugs, collars and leads from supporters including Westside Vets, London; Jill & Roxy and Chris Connor, Christine Brown, WVS, Christine Clarke, Dechra UK; Laura McKenzie and A1 Pets, Edinburgh; Animal Medical Care Foundation; Cromwell Vets, Huntingdon;  One of our vet supporters even drove to Wales in torrential rain to present us with various goodies including text books!

AIRPORT CATS
As many of you will know, Luigi's operate a cafe at Yundum airport for those waiting for their homebound flights. Inevitably cats arrived for their food too! These cats are now being neutered (and eartipped) and one kitten was adopted at Luigi's Complex at Kotu.

Feeding still necessary in October!
Thanks to the extended closure of lots of the hotels this year, GambiCats has been spending more money and time feeding the stray cat colonies and some of the dogs. Food is given daily at the following hotels: Badala Park, Palma Rima, Palm Beach, Kombo Beach, Bungalow Beach, Bakotu, Fajara, Holiday Beach, Cape Point, Jerma, Mansea, Sarges, as well as various craft markets, restaurants and beach bars. We try to get local donations of food but pay for 90% ourselves. This costs around £400 per month from May.

Keep the information coming in!

                      
Visitors to The Gambia have been contacting both Dodou in The Gambia, and the UK office more than ever this year, by phone, fax, text and e-mail, to report sick animals. This is much appreciated as we can't be everywhere at once. Much like RSPCA Inspectors here, Dodou has to prioritise these reports, and dealS with them as quickly as possible. Trying to catch a badly injured beach dog took 3 people 4 evenings - just an example of the problems of the job.   

SENEGAMBIA CAT CAFE - LOCATION     
This is situated at "S Block" near the bird watchers' kiosk. The leaflets are in a holder tied to a palm tree by the path! This is because they are often removed from the cat cafe. Although the cats feed at the cafe in the rainy season, when there are guests they still prefer the restaurant and guests' rooms unfortunately. Perhaps we can find a more attractive location in the future.

GRANTS RECEIVED...
We have been fortunate to receive grants for some of our activities from the following:  WSPA towards the cost of buying the replacement car; Alice Noakes Trust towards extra feeding costs; and a second grant this year from the Shuman Animal Welfare Trust for feeding and veterinary costs.

... AND MONTHLY EXPENDITURE
However the monthly expenditure for GambiCats in The Gambia is now around 44,000 dalasi / £1,000 (salaries, transport, vet costs, feeding costs, phone calls, etc). To this is added the costs in the UK of equipment such as cages, shipping costs for these and donated goods, text/fax and phone, and printing leaflets and newsletters.

SO - PLEASE CONTINUE THE DONATIONS AND FUND-RAISING EFFORTS TO HELP NEUTER & CARE FOR THOSE STRAY CATS AND DOGS WHO RELY ON US SO MUCH

ITEMS NEEDED
Dog collars & leads - used ones accepted too Flea and worm treatments for kittens/cats/puppies/dogs - prescription ones please, can be past their expiry date Wound cream
Unwanted mobile phones if in doubt just call us!