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Cats and dogs

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The Dinkenesh Fund

Helping needy animals in Ethiopia

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When The Dinkenesh Fund has adequate funds, it will finance Cat and Dog Control Projects in Ethiopia.

The Projects will include the spaying and castration of cats and dogs (pets and strays), vaccinations (in particular rabies), worming, and education in responsible pet ownership.

Bluebell: Hepatitis Victim

Bluebell's mother was found hanged from a tree east of Gondar. Kate rescued the orphan pup and raised her. A year later, in March 2004, Bluebell had a litter of five beautiful puppies. In May she fell ill and within six days was dead. She had been infected by the fatal form of infectious canine hepatitis, a highly contagious viral disease that affects the liver and other organs.

There is no cure for canine hepatitis, so it is essential that dogs are protected by being vaccinated against it. Unfortunately, although the vaccine is used in Addis Ababa, it is not currently available in Gondar. However, The Dinkenesh Fund will include routine vaccinations for dangerous diseases (such as canine hepatitis, distemper and rabies) as part of its Cat and Dog Control Project in the city, along with spaying, castrating and worming.

Dusty's Story

Kate was walking through Gondar's slums when she spotted a tiny kitten with infected eyes sitting in the dust. "When I examined the kitten, I realised that the poor thing was starving," said Kate. "After lots of tender, loving care Dusty made a complete recovery." But due to her severe malnourishment in early life, Dusty was malformed and so later could not give birth normally after she became pregnant. Despite Kate's intensive care, Dusty died of toxaemia, there being no surgery in Gondar to remove the dead kitten from her womb and so save her life.

Puppy Farming in Addis Ababa

Many stray dogs roam the streets in Addis Ababa, scavenging for food. The puppies are often taken by street boys who keep them around the areas where they hang out. A particularly endearing puppy is used as a begging aid, as the street boys realise that they get more sympathy when they have a pathetic-looking puppy with them. Some street boys also try to make money by breeding and selling puppies. But the boys are careless and many of their puppies are killed on the busy roads, run over by passing traffic. "My dog was squashed to death when it fell asleep in the shade beneath a parked lorry," said one boy. "The driver drove off without checking under the vehicle first."

A Dog Control Project (including spaying and castrating) in Addis Ababa would reduce the number of strays for the street boys to exploit. When funds permit, The Dinkenesh Fund hopes to tackle this problem.