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Trainee vet programme
Background
In Southern Spain, Andalucía, there are 15,000
abandoned animals every year. Many are left by the roadside as they are no longer useful working
animals, cannot hunt or are injured. Others are rejected as they are simply
unfortunate enough to be born. Others face even worse fates as they are tied to
posts or hung, prolonging their torture and giving them an agonising death. And
this is not just a "Spanish" problem - as people from all nationalities who are
leaving Spain are also deciding to leave their animals, dumping them on
over-crowed refuges or releasing them to fend for themselves.
Our Solution
We are concentrating a significant part of
our work on neutering animals particularly strays. However we also provide the
full range of veterinary services to the community, using this as an
opportunity to try and educate people in good animal care.
How will Neutering Help the Problem?
The animal charities and refuges cannot
cope with the problem of looking after stray and abandoned animals. Most of the
registered charities are full and struggling to raise money. Our solution is to
strike early and prevent the problem growing. Prevention is always more
effective than a cure. A neutering programme is the only way to reduce the
number of strays. An additional benefit to effective neutering is the increased
chance to re-home those animals that do find their way into a refuge.
We Need Volunteer Trainee Vets
The Andalucía Animal Network is a voluntary
organisation made up of local charities dedicated to animal welfare. Part of
the network are animal charities such as ADANA, CHAIN, Pepi's Refuge and SOS.
We work together to try and rescue and re home animals and, where this is not
possible; we try to provide them with a safe haven. We work very closely with a
range of vets to deliver the neutering project and welfare work. As we are
entirely supported by volunteers and donations, we need to achieve this in the
most cost effective way possible.
Trainee Vets can help to:
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Making a Real Difference
- Previous Volunteers
In 2009 trainee vets Will and Charlotte joined the team at SOS. They are currently studying at the Royal Veterinary College based in London in the UK and they spent part of their summer holidays as volunteers. They responded to a poster placed in their college by Tania Coates, who is responsible for helping to re home in the UK so many of our abandoned and stray animals. Will, from Solihull Birmingham, was a 2nd year student. He volunteered to get some 1st hand experience of animal husbandry but found this the ideal way to get real veterinary experience. Carefully supervised by local vets, he assisted in some operations and receiving glowing feedback for his skills. Will, who has a Labrador dog and a cat of his own, was shocked at the size of the stray animal problem in Malaga. "It really makes you think," he said, "You hear these stories about how animals are treated in other countries but until you witness the problem with your own eyes you don't really believe it".
Placement Details
Placements are for a minimum of 2 weeks during the July and August period.
Expenses
Cost of a return flight is currently about £60 (Easyjet London to Malaga). You will be provided with transport to and from the airport at Malaga. We are currently seeking funding to help pay for travel expenses however at the moment the cost of the flight would need to be met by each individual. The sooner arrangements can be made, the cheaper the flights.
Accommodation and Meals
There is a range of accommodation on offer from staying in a caravan to lodging with local people involved in animal charity work. Once we have your details we will match you with suitable accommodation. As part of your work experience you will be provided with breakfast and an evening meal. Your hosts will also provide you with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Again we will need to know your dietary requirements to provide the best match.
Time To Enjoy Yourself
You will be asked to carry out support work at the refuges and with the vets Monday to Friday, 9-5pm. The rest of the time is your own. You can enjoy the beaches of the Costa Del Sol or the more rural Spain in areas like Alhaurin El Grande and Coin. During the summer months there are many traditional events that take place such as the Ferias and Romerias.
What Next
If you are interested and would like to know more please contact:
volunteer@sos-animals.org.uk
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