Winter 2002

Update on SPCA Nepal

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to our collection box for SPCAN. We’ve had one very generous donation of $200, and together with collections made at the front desk we have accrued a total of $451-60 to send to Nepal.

At the moment it’s uncertain how the funds will be spent- there is an upcoming meeting of the SPCAN management committee which is looking into the possibility of employing a manager for the facility as part of a vision plan for the next 5 years, and our donation may be put towards that plan: we’ll keep you updated.

Meanwhile, SPCAN has been busy. Up to March, more than 50 cases from a variety of species had been treated- dogs, cattle, monkeys, birds and cats. On 14^th April an Open Day was held, attended by over 40 people who were able to experience the work of the clinic first hand. Tara, the little stray who has lost the use of her hindlegs, is staying on as lead member of the welcoming committee to the clinic and is sporting a new set of wheels to help her get about.

GVH has received mention in SPCAN’s newsletter as a sponsor. Our gift of textbooks and equipment was received gratefully. GVH was also able to arrange for an AVA “Pet Pep” package to be forwarded to Nepal to help the clinic with their in-schools education programme in animal care.

SPCAN is still in its infancy, but is already having a significant impact on the way animals are treated in Nepal. GVH is proud to be able to help in some small way, and we thank our clients for their support. As an example of the work being achieved, below is an excerpt from the organisation’s most recent newsletter.

For years we involved in animal welfare have known deliberate acts of cruelty are carried out by humans seriously devoid of any connection to kindness and compassion- and observed that it is an unnatural state of being. Sometimes, beneath our abhorrence, we also observed humanity at its most needy.

Australian crime profiler John Clarke, who lectures police on serial homicide, serial rape, criminal investigative analysis and interview techniques warns in his book on killers that the first sign to look out for is mindless cruelty to animals.

By educating children in schools about the rights of animals, we may be able to challenge many of society’s assumptions in regards to its responsibility to young people to help them appreciate and nurture life. Obviously, the role of SPCAN can be pivotal in this.

If your school acknowledges the many roles it can play in forming the youth of today into a responsible nation of tomorrow, call the SPCAN Schools’ Programme Director … to find out how your school can incorporate this exciting and progressive programme into the current curriculum.