VAWZ Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe

23/08/2024

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17/08/2024

This year’s flown and, overwhelmed by the dogs and the debts their treatment has/is incurring, I’m afraid I’ve totally neglected all of you wonderful, caring people who have encouraged and supported us in so many ways since Adrianne first opened a window on our world with the RAC page.
I know some of you are wondering whether we’re still working with the animals in Caledonia and the rural areas around us, and the answer is an emphatic yes – every day, because I simply cannot bring myself to turn away the desperate cases we see and am absolutely determined to find enough sponsorship to continue taking them into our vets, who’ve been incredibly patient with us, despite the fact that we owe them a fortune
Anyway, herewith my promised update - we'll be posting a belated collage of photos of some of the dogs and cats we’ve taken into town for treatment in the months since I dropped off the edge of the world – be they at the vet, in our little rehab or at their own homes - some of which are as far afield as Ruwa, Goromonzi and Cromlet.
One dog, and one day at a time, I know we’re making a difference in the area around us and, luckily for them, I’m better with animals than words, which are always too many, but never enough!! Having said that, it’s not easy to keep doing what has to be done, this is a battle against suffering that we’re not giving up on and, should any of you know of any embassies, organizations or individuals looking for a worthy community outreach program to support, please would you let us (and them) know!! With our love and thanks, as ever, April

17/08/2024

Get ready for a day of FUNdraising, food, drinks and music at the Annual Potjie Competition, hosted by VAWZ Events! Join us on Saturday, 24th August at Nomads House, 15 Brompton Road, Newlands, for a day in the shady garden with live music and a chance to enjoy delicious potjie meals (while they last). Bring your cooler box, enjoy a day out, and help us in our mission to ensure a better life for the animals of Zimbabwe. Your support means the world to us and the animals we care for. 🐾
** There are still places available for contestants - more details in flyer below. 😎

14/08/2024

Chimanimani and Nyanyadzi, 05/08/24 - 09/08/24
The VAWZ RAWC team had a busy week last week, carrying out another Profeeds sponsored sterilization and rabies vaccination campaign, this time covering three sites in Chimanimani, Nyanyadzi and Gudyanga.

The campaign totals were as follows:
Total spays: 50
Total neuters: 37
Total rabies vaccinations: 543

Along with the many dogs that were brought to the clinics, there were also two cats and one pig brought for sterilization!

Many thanks to Profeeds for sponsoring this campaign as well as to all those who helped to make it such a success, especially Queenie Gratwicke for doing so much ground work in raising awareness about the campaign in the local community.

Special thanks to Jane and Dee and their team at the Frog and Fern for providing accommodation and looking after our team for the week free of charge! Thanks also to Doug and Barbara for providing the team with a delicious lunch in Chimanimani.

Finally, sincere thanks to the incredible vets, Dr. Caro and Dr. Francis, for their tireless efforts, as well as to the VAWZ team and to the DVS staff who assisted us on this campaign.

11/08/2024

03/08/2024

Update ➡️ Extra parking available at County Club, please do not park on the street.
➡️ Limit portions of Bacon & Egg rolls available, come early.
Everyone is welcome, whether you are entering the cook-off, or would just like to come along for a day out ☀️ with live music and an array of potjie cuisine on offer. 🥂
We hope to see you there! Details in flyer below.

VAWZ work to improve the welfare of all animals in Zimbabwe

31/07/2024

Join us this Sunday (the 4th of August) for the annual VAWZ Walk for the Animals, taking place at Wingate golf course. Bring your dog and enjoy some fresh air and exercise as you walk around the golf course for a good cause!

There will be bacon and egg rolls on sale as well as a limited cash bar. We hope to see you there!

30/07/2024

Kariba, 22/07/24 - 26/07/24
Last week, the VAWZ RAWC team along with headed to Kariba to undertake a Profeeds sponsored sterilisation and rabies vaccination campaign.
It was a successful week, with total figures for the campaign as follows:
Total neuters: 38
Total spays: 29
Total rabies vaccinations: 199

Sincere thanks to Profeeds for sponsoring this campaign and to KAWFT for their assistance. Also to for all their hard work in trapping a total of 34 cats at various sites around Kariba, all of which were sterilized and given rabies vaccinations.

Thanks to Avoca Marine, McMaster Workshop and Dave and Sonya McMaster for their very kind donations, and to Dr Margie Peacock for her assistance.

Finally, a huge thank you to Sunny and her wonderful team at Hornbill lodge who kindly provided accommodation and looked after our team for the week, free of charge!

29/07/2024

19/07/2024

Did you know? Donkeys are highly social animals that form lifelong bonds with other donkeys and even other species, known as "pair bonds". Paired donkeys often graze close together and where one goes, the other will typically follow. Separating the pair will have negative effects on the donkeys, and can lead to stress, pining behaviour and loss of appetite.

Understanding the social behaviour and needs of animals is an important step in ensuring their welfare!

25/06/2024

We've had a good start to the day at Ruwangwe, which is the first site of the NRE-sponsored VAWZ RAWC sterilization and rabies vaccination campaign taking place in Nyanga this week.

It's always inspiring to see so many people bringing their pets to our clinics, giving them a chance at a happier, healthier life!

20/06/2024

The VAWZ Cynthia Smith Memorial Mountain Bike Ride is fast approaching! So, if you are an avid mountain biker or just an outdoor enthusiast, join us at the Chishawasha Seminary on Saturday the 6th of July for an invigorating day of fresh air and exercise, all for a good cause. Riders and walkers are welcome! Please note that helmets are mandatory for riders.

All entries include a bacon 'n egg roll and tea/coffee.

Directions to the Start:
Drive out on Enterprise road, turn right into Chishawasha road (follow onto dirt road).
Drive 1.8km to the John Fisher and Thomas Moore National Seminary sign.
Turn right and then immediately left. Ignore the 2 roads right going up to the Seminary.
Follow the track around for 600m to the soccer pitch (start/finish line).

We hope to see you there!

13/06/2024

It's a beautiful morning as we kick off the final day of the NRE-sponsored VAWZ RAWC sterilization and rabies vaccination campaign in the Honde Valley. It's been a busy week and today looks to be no different!

11/06/2024

Day one of the NRE-sponsored VAWZ Rural Animal Welfare Clinic sterilisation and rabies vaccination campaign in the Honde Valley. It's been a busy day already, one which hopefully marks the start of a very successful campaign this week!

10/06/2024

29/05/2024

20/05/24 - 23/05/24, Siabuwa
After a dusty nine-hour drive from Harare via the Karoi-Binga road, the VAWZ Rural Animal Welfare Clinic team arrived in the small community of Siabuwa, where we carried out a successful spay and neuter campaign last week.

Campaign totals were as follows:
Total spays: 24
Total neuters: 24
Total rabies vaccinations: 289

A heartfelt thank you to Highlands Presbyterian Church for their donation towards this campaign, and to Kate, Louise and Vicky for their donations and support!

As always, special thanks to our superhuman vets, Dr. Caro and Dr. Francis, and to the rest of the VAWZ team, as well as to the DVS staff who assisted on this campaign.

29/05/2024

25/05/2024

Last year saw 9360 donkeys and 2087 donkey owners being helped through the efforts of the VAWZ/WHW Beitbridge Donkey Health and Welfare Centre, and we expect similar numbers by the end of this year!

VAWZ is proudly partnered with World Horse Welfare in this shared endeavour of improving the health and welfare of donkeys in the Beitbridge area. We aim to better the lives of working donkeys by providing services such as deworming, health assessments, wound care, disease treatment/management, as well as the fitting of reflective collars on donkeys to help reduce the occurrence of road accidents, and replacement of poor-fitting harnesses with specially designed ones to help prevent harness-associated wounds.

Another important goal of this project is community empowerment via our Community Based Livestock Advisor (CBLA) training programme and via ongoing education of donkey owners to equip them with the knowledge and management skills that will help improve the lives of the donkeys in their care.

We can't help every donkey, but every donkey helped makes a difference!

22/05/2024

This gorgeous girl has been at the Harare Spca for a month. She remains unclaimed.
It's time she finds a brand new home. She's of undetermined breed and age( an adult) with a great friendly demeanour. She's sharing her kennel with a male dog and will be assessed with females, cats , chickens etc soon
We love our mixed breed tan dogs and call them Shamwari Dogs. They are the best.
# Hararespca # Znspca # adoptdontshop

🌎

21/05/2024

14/05/2024 - Caledonia
We had a good turn out last week at the VAWZ Rural Animal Welfare Clinic spay and neuter campaign in Caledonia. The totals for the day were as follows:
Total spays: 27
Total neuters: 26
Total rabies vaccinations: 466

Special thanks to veterinarians, Dr. Caro, Dr. Francis and Dr. Moses, for their tireless efforts, as well as to April Thompson and her band of helpers for their assistance on this very busy day!

Another successful campaign for the VAWZ team, with many more to come!

17/05/2024

Sat 18th May - Get ready for an evening of rhythm and creativity at the * Art & Jazz Fundraiser * supporting VAWZ Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe ! Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere at Maize & Mingle Cafe, where doors will swing open at 5:30 pm to welcome you to a world where art meets music. Marvel at the array of stunning artwork available for purchase and auction, generously priced to encourage support. As you soak in the melodies of a live saxophone, indulge in delectable canapés and a refreshing welcome drink. Don't miss this chance to jazz up your outfit, connect with fellow art enthusiasts, and contribute to a noble cause. Auction of selected pieces starts at 8pm. Secure your entry at the door for just $25 and be part of something special. Let's make a difference together!

Sue Christian - Bell Chrystal Wynn Valentine Magutsa Fraser Mackay Ricky Dampers Godknows Lucas Masiri Lin Barrie
Sir Arundel

15/05/2024

06/05/24 - 10/05/24, Honde Valley
Last week, our team headed off in our trusty mobile clinic to complete the NRE-sponsored VAWZ Rural Animal Welfare Clinic spay and neuter campaign in the Honde Valley.

We had a successful trip, covering three sites (Sagambe, Mandeya and Chisuko), with our campaign totals as follows:
Total spays: 48
Total neuters: 33
Total rabies vaccinations: 1082.

A huge thank you to NRE for sponsoring this campaign, and special thanks to our vets, Dr. Caro, Dr. Francis and Dr. Rachel (DVS) for their hard work!

08/05/2024

Today is World Donkey Day! This day is dedicated to celebrating donkeys and showing appreciation for their valuable contribution to bettering human lives. In addition, World Donkey Day highlights the importance of treating donkeys with respect and promoting their health and welfare.

Donkeys are arguably the most stoic and resilient of all livestock animals, and have the amazing ability to survive and work efficiently in harsh climates. However, their stoic nature also means that they often mask pain and underlying health issues, and therefore frequent health and welfare checks are of the utmost importance for these hardy workers!

We are proud to be partnered with World Horse Welfare in bettering the lives of donkeys in Zimbabwe via the work conducted by the VAWZ/WHW Beitbridge Donkey Health and Welfare Centre. Our goal is to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys in the Beitbridge area by conducting regular clinics and educating local communities on better management and welfare practices that can help improve the lives of working donkeys for generations to come!