The Windhoek Connection - 21 March 2023

SPCA, Have a Heart and CAPU Spay-a-thon

The name of the SPCA already says it: it is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This mandate also includes protecting animals from unnecessary breeding, resulting in an over population of the species.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Namibia - Windhoek, is a registered Welfare Organization (WO6). It is a local animal shelter who rescues over 4,100 animals each year and provides a safe haven for 250-400 animals at any given time. Though they function as the local impound for dogs for the City of Windhoek and help many more animal species, they almost entirely rely on donations from corporate businesses and private individuals to be able to assist with some of the most vulnerable animals in our community.

The SPCA also offers ad-hoc low-cost sterilisation for individuals who cannot afford it. There are however strict criteria to make use of this service.

“Happiness is only real

~ Jon Krakauer

The importance of sterilizing pets

Last year alone, the SPCA Windhoek took in over 4,000 new animals. Many of them being unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. All three organizations agree that spaying and neutering pets aid in the reduction of unwanted litters and thus fewer animals risk ending up being abandoned or surrendered to shelters or rescue groups. Not only is spay and neuter an effective way to help curb the overpopulation of pets, but it carries many health and behavioral benefits too. The benefits of sterilizing a female cat or dog completely eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, and the risk of testicular

cancers in male cats and dogs. It also significantly reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases in animals, in particular TVT (Transmissible Venereal Tumour) in dogs which is a type of cancer that groups like SPCA and HaH often see in animals surrendered to the shelter or in our communities. There are also many behavioral benefits from sterilizing pets, including making animals less likely to roam because they are looking for a partner to mate with. Which makes it easier to keep our pets safe from potential accidents. Other benefits include the reduction of unwanted behaviors such as potential aggression, fighting between male pets fighting over females, spraying and marking, and vocalizations due to looking for a mate. Then there is the positive aspect of the increase of a pet’s estimated lifespan by 3-5 years.

Spay-a-thon

This year, the SPCA in collaboration with Have-a-heart Namibia and C.A.P.U. held a spay-a-thon on Friday, 24 and Saturday 25 February at the SPCA grounds. Have-a-heart and C.A.P.U. both work with lower income communities and the SPCA offered the veterinary services, pre- and post-op care with runners in between to assist where needed (total number of volunteers for this event: between 15-20 people).

To avoid an overflow of people just arriving a stringent booking process was adhered to and between these two days, 84 animals were sterilised.

Windhoek

2nd Hand Concept Store:

JJ Designs:

Blessings Art & Crafts:

Pest Solutions Namibia:

Wilde Eend Bistro:

Uncle Spikes Book Exchange:

Ferreira’s Garden Centre:

My Little Crafts:

Jenny’s Place:

Windhoek Veterinary Clinic:

Langerhans Pharmacy:

Blueberry Bistro:

Pixel House:

Healthgarde Namibia:

09h00 - 17h00 07h30 - 18h00

10h00 - 11h00 18h00 - 18h30

10h00 - 13h00

17h00 - 20h00

09h00 - 13h00

08h00 - 17h00

09h00 - 14h00 Coast

Coastal Couriers Cornerstone Coffee & Book Shop Windpomp 14

At any given time, three veterinary surgeons were operating on an animal each, including Dr. Ian Baines with his Mobile Vet Clinic on one of the days.

Animals

Having spayed mostly dogs and cats, hamsters and rats are also amongst those having been spayed by the SPCA. Any animal being taking in by the SPCA will be spayed before adoption. This is a necessary practice that must be conducted, as over 4,000 animals are left at the SPCA per year - many of these are puppies and kitten (and baby rats and hamsters).

What used to be a breeding season for cats has now become an all-yearround “season” - it just continues.

During January alone, the SPCA accommodated 449 puppies, kitten and small animals, compared to 200-300 during an average month. These animals all need to be assessed, fed, housed, vaccinated and spayed during the first at least 6

e h a v e b e e n a b l e t o a l m o s t r e a c h t h i s g o a l w i t h i n t h e f i r s t w e e k H o w e v e r , w h a t i s n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e E U R 7 0 0 0 0 i s a n a d d i t i o n a l E U R 7 0 0 0 w h i c h i s r e q u i r e d

Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.

In the same way, it is a very common misconception that a female dog should have one litter before being spayed (neutered). Not only is it an out-dated concept, with no evidence to support that breeding a litter is either physically or psychologically beneficial to a dog.

Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Sources: SPCA Press Release (9 March 2023); vethelpdirect.com

Vetkoek

Ingredients:

• 1kg Bakpro Vetkoek Wheat flour

• 150g Sugar King (white)

• 10g yeast

Instructions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together.

• 15g salt

• 600ml water

• 750ml oil for frying

2. Add the lukewarm water to form a soft dough.

3. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Cover and leave to rest for 60 minutes.

4. Knock the dough down; divide it into desired round balls.

5. Place the balls on a greased baking tray, leaving enough space between them to allow for rising. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place until they have doubled in size, about 15 minutes.

6. Bake the vetkoek in deep hot oil until cooked and golden brown.

7. Drain the vetkoek on a kitchen paper.

8. Fill the vetkoek with filling of your choice.

Recipe courtesy of Namib Mills

The Windhoek Connection, 21 March 2023

Upcoming Events

Fairy Circles – Subterranean Oases in the Namib Sand, Wednesday, 22 Mar · 7 – 9 PM

The Namibia Scientific Society in conjunction with Klaus Hess Publishers invite you to a public talk and book presentation by Prof. Norbert Jürgens and Felicitas Gunter: Fairy Circles – Subterranean Oases in the Namib Sand.

The bare circles in the grasslands on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert have puzzled for decades. Recently, there has again been a heated debate in the scientific community about how they are formed. Events are open for the public. If not announced otherwise, venue is Namibia Scientific Society, Robert Mugabe Ave 110.

Der Bart des Elefanten – Eine biografische Erzählung über das Leben des Großwildjägers Volker Grellman, Thursday, 23 Mar · 7 – 9 PM

Das Buch Der Bart des Elefanten erzählt von den außergewöhnlichen Abenteuern und Erfahrungen eines Mannes, dessen Tatkraft und Zähigkeit dazu beigetragen haben, die Grundlagen für die professionelle Jagd und den nachhaltigen Natur- und Wildschutz in Namibia zu legen.

Volker Grellmann war zehn Jahre alt, als er mit seiner Familie kurz nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg nach Namibia aus- wanderte. Dieses Land sollte seine Heimat werden. Er machte eine Kürschner-Ausbildung, um eines Tages das Geschäft seiner Mutter zu übernehmen, doch schon bald drängte es ihn in den Busch, zur Jagd und zum Naturschutz. Zahlreiche Jäger und Gäste aus fernen Ländern, unter anderem den berühmten deutschen Boxer Max Schmeling, führte er durch die Wildnis. Er wurde einer der besten professionellen Jagdanbieter Namibias, Schutzpatron der San-Buschleute in den ihm anvertrauten Jagdgebieten sowie engagierter Naturschützer im Damaraland, Kunene, Buschmannland und sogar in Angola. Volker Grellmann war temperamentvoll, aber auch verletzlich und verletzbar. Autor Wolfgang Brune beschreibt seine Erfolge und auch seine Niederlagen und setzt ihm ein Denkmal als einem der »Großen« im aktiv gelebten Jagd- und Naturschutz.

Events are open for the public. If not announced otherwise, venue is Namibia Scientific Society, Robert Mugabe Ave 110.

Drumming Circle, Wednesday, 22 Mar · 6 – 7 PM

Venue: Joe's Beerhouse.

A weekly public drumming circle. This is a participatory event: We bring the drums, you bring the vibe. We use African djembe drums and dun-duns. Anyone can join, no experience needed. Kids are more than welcome. Free of charge, donations are appreciated. We suggest N$ 50 for adults, N$ 20 for kids.

The Year of Resilience, Thursday, 23 Mar · 7 – 9 PM

Come join us on 23 March at the Goethe-Institut Namibia for the official opening of the photo exhibition "The Year of Resilience", where works by Ukrainian and international artists on the topic of life, hope and suffering during one year of war will shown. The exhibition is supported by the German Embassy, Entrance is free.

Speak Jesus, Saturday, 25 Mar · 10 AM – 6 PM

Angus Buchan will be in Namibia on the 25th of March 2023 at the Vegkop Stadium for Speak Jesus, Namibia. For all event enquiries please contact the organisers at hebron@iway.na or +264816280986

Green Market, Saturday, 25 Mar · 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM around the Stephanus Church in Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street - the open air GREEN MARKET open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

You find freshest produce from Namibia, Farm Goodies & Preserves | Healthy and Organic certified products & natural cosmetics.

Village Sunday Market, Sunday, 26 Mar · 9 AM – 3 PM

The Village Sunday Market is a place for high quality local vendors and craftsmen to sell their products and produce to the public. All goods available are proudly local and of only the finest quality. The market was started by Alain Seha with his company Urban Eden during times of the coronavirus as an opportunity for struggling local artisans to find a market for their products and since then the market has begun taking a life of its own.

Strawberry picking, Sunday, 26 Mar · 9 AM – 1 PM

For everyone who requested a Sunday picking.....

Strawberry picking, Flower picking, Pony rides, Picnics, Ice lollies…

BOOK NOW: 081 875 4131 (WhatsApp only)