Caye Caulker implements Pet Control Program

The island of Caye Caulker is being faced with some problems due to an increase in its dog population. With reports of over 20 dog bites in the past five months, and the continued sightings of unkempt pets on the beaches and many public streets, this has become a dire concern to residents and visitors alike.Initially brought to light in a public meeting held in September of 2010, the issue of uncontrolled dogs was discussed at length and a plan was devised. The plan involved the implementation of a Public Awareness Campaign. “Through local media and public meetings, the Caye Caulker residents were informed of the rules and regulations regarding owning a pet,” said Caye Caulker Village Chairman, Mr. Alberto Villanueva. “Owners were encouraged to start practicing the leashing law – which stated that if a dog is in public, it must at all times, be held on a leash.”
He agreed that the public awareness campaign has been working well. Most dog owners now ensure that their dogs are behind closed gates/fences and that when in public, their pets are on a leash. However, the problem of the strays remains.
As a result, the Caye Caulker Village Council, in conjunction with the Caye Caulker Humane Society have embarked on a program that seeks to eradicate stray dogs that are not cared for and eventually, in the long run – provide a system where pets are controlled and are registered.
In the initial phase, dogs found in any public areas at the night time will be picked up by a team including, the local Health Inspector, a Police Sergeant, a Village Council worker and a member of the Caye Caulker Humane Society. If the dog possesses a collar with information in regards to ownership, such owner will be informed and granted the opportunity to pick up his/her dog. In cases where dogs show no sign of ownership, the animals will be put down.
According to Chairman Villanueva, “The process is very painless. A member from the Humane Society insisted that the team witness it. The dog is first administered a tranquilizer, in the form of an injection, which takes about five minutes to work. This is followed by the administering of a second injection, which puts them to sleep within the minute”.
The first phase of the eradication project was held on Thursday March 17, between the hours of 11:00pm and 2:00am, when eight dogs were picked up and humanely put to rest. Future plans include the implementation of a system where all pet owners will be required to register each pet. The details of that program are not complete as yet, but that is where the Council is gearing towards.

Ticks Are ‘Ick’ – Deadly Tick Fever

Press Release – SAGA Humane Society – March 15th, 2011 – Everyone dislikes parasites. They are unpleasant, unwelcome, they suck our blood and they spread disease. What many people don’t know is that those annoying pests, ticks, spread a deadly disease to our furry best friends, known as tick fever.
There are several diseases, commonly called ‘tick fever’, spread by ticks, but the two most common in Belize are Canine Erlichiosis and Canine Anaplasmosis. Big words for serious diseases that come from something as tiny as at tick.
Pit Boss was the name given to a very sad and sick young pit bull, who like many of his breed had been bought by irresponsible owners who cared little for him. When a local businesswoman found Pit Boss, he was a walking skeleton – every bone showing through his skin, his dark eyes bulging from his head, pleading for help. When he was taken to SAGA his life hung by a fragile thread. He had no energy left and was bleeding heavily from the nose. The SAGA staff team worked tirelessly for three weeks, giving him top notch veterinary care, special medication and plenty of love.Sadly, that thread finally snapped and Pit Boss’s life came to a tragic end. Not only did he have two types of tick fever, but he also had heartworms – another disease spread by parasites (mosquitoes) that is easily preventable. Pit Boss’s owners had neglected him for so long that his kidneys were too badly affected and he was never able to recover the strength he needed to survive. Another heartbreak for SAGA – but of course, for every sad ending, there are more happy endings.
Rex was found abandoned, wandering the streets of San Pedro and picked up by the SAGA animal welfare team. These are dedicated volunteers who collect stray, abandoned, neglected and abused dogs for SAGA Humane Society to make sure that they get a second chance. Rex also had tick fever and heartworm, but the good news is that SAGA got him before he lost his fight with the diseases.
Rex wasn’t a big strong looking dog – in fact he was the total opposite, but looks can be deceiving. After 6 weeks of intensive treatment he was improving, beating the sickness a day at a time. A lovely family came into SAGA and fell in love with Rex’s sweet personality and gentle nature. They were more than happy to agree to continue with his treatment and while it will still be a few more months before he is fit and healthy, there is no better place for him to recover than in the care of a permanent and loving home with people who love him dearly.
Tick fever can be treated easily and inexpensively if it is caught early, but the symptoms can be confusing. They can include a lack of appetite, fever, nosebleeds, runny eyes and nose, weight loss, depression, eye problems, bleeding through the skin and bruising, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain and lameness, stiffness of the neck and seizures. Any of these symptoms can be a sign that your dog has tick fever. Some dogs have tick fever and show no symptoms at all and then can suddenly become very sick. The only way to know for sure if your pet has tick fever is with a special test.
Dogs cannot catch tick fever from other dogs and people cannot catch tick fever from dogs either. But – people can catch the human type of tick fever from ticks. So, remember that ticks are not only ‘ick’ but they are dangerous too.
Ticks live in long grass so keep your grass cut and keep your pets away from areas with long grass. Use good quality tick prevention treatments such as Preventic collars, Frontline and Promeris –available from SAGA or Pampered Paws. Check your pets every day for ticks and parasites. If you find that your dog has even one tick it is better to be safe than sorry. Talk to the SAGA vet. Don’t let your best friend end up like Pit Boss.
If you’d like to find out more about protecting your pet from tick fever or if you are worried that your pet is showing any of the symptoms of tick fever, even if you haven’t seen a tick, please contact SAGA on 226 3266 – before it’s too late!

Zenda – A Pup in Chains – Support International Spay Day

Press Release – SAGA – February 14th, 2011 – On Valentine’s week, there is one question all dogs might ask if they could speak and that would be ‘How much do you love me?’ Most people love their dogs and care for them very much, but the way some people treat their dogs is just heartbreaking.
We’ll never know just how terrified poor Zenda was or what really happened to her. What we do know is that Zenda was locked and chained, starved, irresponsibly bred from, neglected and ultimately abandoned. Zenda had never known love.
Zenda was ruthlessly thrown over the fence at Fort Dog, Saga’s animal shelter, in the middle of the night. Her body reduced to skin and bone and weighted down by a chain far heavier than herself with a padlock securing it in place was tossed casually, like a bag of trash, and left with no explanation.

When staff arrived in the morning to discover her frightened, shivering and nearly dead, they were horrified. They tried to remove the chain, but it had been padlocked tight around her skinny neck, so the first thing they did was give her some affection, food and water. Then they called in reinforcements – a kind volunteer with a bolt cutter came in and helped to free Zenda so that so that she could take her first wobbly steps into a new life.

The first thing everyone noticed about Zenda was her spirit. Behind those broken and sad eyes was a shining light of hope. Zenda wanted to be loved and clearly would fight for her life to make sure that she got that love. But it wasn’t to be that simple because Zenda was sick – very sick and so the battle to save Zenda began.
Aside from malnutrition, anemia and severe dehydration caused by starvation and lack of access to water, Zenda had a terrible case of tick fever. While tick fever can be treated easily and cheaply, if left untreated it is often deadly. You would think that would be enough for her to cope with, but no. Zenda had clearly been bred from irresponsibly and now had the sexually transmitted disease, TVT. TVT is a killer; it is a contagious viral cancer that dogs get from breeding with other infected dogs. It’s horrific to think what happened to her puppies.

Even though it might have been tempting to put Zenda out of her misery, the SAGA team was determined to give her a second chance – a chance to have a life and a home where she would learn what it is like to be loved. And so the battle continued – to save poor Zenda.
Zenda’s determination, sweetness of spirit and personality has won the hearts of everyone who has dealt with her. Despite the terrible abuse and neglect she suffered in her short life, she gets stronger every day, wagging her tail enthusiastically at anyone who smiles at her, hoping for someone to love her forever.

The 17th Annual International Spay Day is on the 22nd of February. If Zenda’s owners had loved her enough to spay her, she may not have been such a burden on them and she certainly would not have contracted the deadly TVT virus. In honour of International Spay Day, SAGA has given away six free spays and neuters to needy pet owners in the San Pedro community and for the rest of February will be offering a special ‘I Love My Dog This Much!’ discount on all spays and neuters for cats and dogs.
So if your dog could talk and asked you ‘How much do you love me?’ The best answer you could give this month would be ‘I love you enough to spay or neuter you because I don’t want you to end up like Zenda’.
If you would like to find out more about spaying or neutering your dog call SAGA on 226 2366 and they will arrange an appointment for you and your best friend.

First Cook-off held at Tackle Box to aid SAGA

It was a night for feasting on all things Italian on Wednesday, January 12, when Tackle Box hosted the first cook-off to help raise funds for SAGA Humane Society. There were several entries, and lots of eager tummies lined up to sample all manner of tasty treats.

At the end of the night, the winner chosen was Tanya Mejia, employee at Tackle Box. Lots of funds were raised for SAGA and everyone was happy to have helped!!