fp Turks and Caicos

The second mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinic recently visited North Caicos sterilized 28 pets and vaccinated 70 in a very successful visit.

Newly appointed government veterinarian Dr. Mark Butler joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ team and performed low-cost surgeries with TCSPCA volunteer veterinarian Dr. Rich Sefcik.

“On Sept. 28 of this year, we celebrated World Rabies Day,” Butler said. “My message at that time encouraged owners to spay and neuter their dogs. This message seems to have resonated with the population, and people are bringing their animals to be sterilized.”

In addition to sterilization, 41 dogs were registered by the Environmental Health Department (EHD) and received government tags.

Because dogs usually have two breeding cycles a year in spring and autumn, the TCSPCA mobile spay/neuter clinics are run on a regular basis on each of the family islands.

The ongoing partnership between Butler and the TCSPCA has resulted in the sterilization of 100 animals in three months. This partnership is proving effective in stemming the tide of stray animals. As this partnership gains momentum, various aspects of stray animal control will be expanded in the months to come.

“Since I have taken up post in August, two teams — TCSPCA and EHD — have conducted spay/neuter programmes in Grand Turk twice, North Caicos once, and we roll into South Caicos next month to conduct education campaigns and a spay/neuter clinic,” Butler said. “We appreciate animal owners’ response thus far, and we encourage others to join us as we continue the fight to reduce the stray dog population in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The average age of the dogs at the North Caicos clinic was six months. Based on the breeding cycles of the young female dogs, the surgeries will prevent the birth of approximately 150 unwanted puppies next year alone.

Assisting with surgeries were Stephanie Human, a qualified veterinarian nurse and chairman of the Grand Turk chapter of the TCSPCA and volunteer clinical assistant Ibis Van Walleghem.

TCSPCA Executive Director Susan Blehr said the success of the clinic relied on help from Lou Handfield, who barged the TCSPCA Animal Bus from Provo to North; Heather and Lovey Forbes from the Potcake Foundation; Jody and Tom Rathgeb for the use of their house and lower level garage; Mark Mclean for transportation; LynnRae Mclean and Phil and Lora for meals; and Bobby and Nancy for clinic supplies.