We have updates about the status of the Uganda SPCA's new shelter and visitors and adoptions at the "old" Haven. Animal-Kind International's support for Uganda SPCA, our long-time Partner Organization, can quickly and easily be seen here:
Our support is specifically for the running costs of both shelters (and doesn't include rent for the old Haven).
Sadly, so many scammers, who claim to be Ugandan dog rescuers, are fooling people into sending donations to them and the USPCA has been seriously affected by this. Help us get the word out that the USPCA needs your donations; don't support the scammers!
USPCA New Shelter Update
As those of you who follow the USPCA know, additional shelter construction at the new site has been on hold for several months while the USPCA dealt with the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment required by Uganda's National Environmental Management Authority. But finally, we submitted the ESIA to NEMA on 22 July. And now we wait for their input: They'll visit the site, share the ESIA with other interested parties, possibly send questions and comments to us, and eventually issue a certificate that will allow the USPCA to continue construction and finally, to house the hundreds of cats and dogs in their care, still at the old Haven.
Without the ESIA, the USPCA was allowed to construct enough kennels at the new site to hold up to 50 dogs, as well as some supporting infrastructure (e.g., the kitchen).
Animal-Kind International's Support for Uganda SPCA's Old Haven
Since April, after Alex left, the Uganda SPCA's Assistant Manager, Jackline (Jackie) Bako, has taken the reins and has ably overseen the running of the Haven. Notably, Jackie started inviting the local kids to the shelter to bring their pets for vaccination, de-worming, and spay/neuter (and of course other vet care, if needed). They were also welcome to just stop by--even without their pets--for a visit to see what was behind the shelter's walls (and what as making all the noise). The USPCA staff always combine these visits with a lesson in animal care.
The USPCA received an overwhelming response.
In early May, these kids came to the shelter and asked if the USPCA could spay their two cats.
On 16 June, Ageno and Amos brought their dog Bruce to be vaccinated and de-wormed (and a follow-up appointment was scheduled for neuter, which was successfully done).
On 6 July, this group of kids with their dogs came to the USPCA gate and asked if they could get their dogs vaccinated and de-wormed. The USPCA always schedules them for spay/neuter too.
On 6 August, Asaba and her brother came knocking at the Haven's gate and asked to have their cat vaccinated.
In mid-August, these kids brought their puppies to the USPCA to be vaccinated in de-wormed. They carried them there in two buckets!
At the end of August, this large group of local kids arrived at the USPCA Haven with dogs and cats to be vaccinated and de-wormed and scheduled for spay/neuter.
One of the kids from the group (above) is very happy to have his cat vaccinated and de-wormed:
Another good cat owner, Simon, brought his cat on 31 August to the USPCA Haven.
Some local kids come to the shelter just to visit and look around. Others rescue cats and dogs that they bring to the Haven. And others, like Michaela, rescue and visit. Michaela rescued a mama and puppies and and decided to give the shelter dogs some love too:
These aren't the only young, local visitors the USPCA has welcomed in the last 5 months, but this certainly gives you an idea of the interest and the need, and how USPCA is responding to the local community!
The USPCA has also had many wonderful adoptions in the last few months, but as always, many more cats and dogs entered the shelter than went to forever homes. Here are a few of the cats and dogs recently adopted from the Haven.
None of this would be possible without the USPCA Haven staff! That's why we don't only support the dogs and cats, but the humans who keep the USPCA running, as well.
Thank you to our supporters for making all of this possible. We appreciate any donation, large or small, one-time or recurring.