Kapkis projects - animals
Dogs, cats, donkeys, and horses, oh my! Ok, so there is only one donkey. Two horses, though. Lots of cats and dogs.
While there are some cars in the village, the two horses and donkey are the primary source of transportation of goods, materials, and people. The animals pull wagons along both dirt and paved roads. These animals need to be shod on a regular basis, and they need new harnesses, or to have their harnesses repaired. They bring in much needed income when someone hires their owners to bring firewood from the hills or stones from the river. One horse will be on maternity leave soon. Lucy has been encouraging the owners to lighten the loads the horse is pulling as the mare gets further in to her pregnancy. She is also encouraging them to think ahead to how they will feed mare and foal over the winter, as well as get their firewood in before the horse is out of action for a while.
Dogs have been considered disposable in the ghetto end of the village. They are chained, fed and watered if there is food and if someone remembers. Lucy advises that they are often fed bread. The animals suffer from fleas, ticks, and worms in addition to dehydration and malnutrition. They are often left out in all sorts of weather, with little or no shelter. They have been used strictly as guards, never seen as companions. Lucy is helping to change the attitude towards these animals, though. She's helped some of the younger members of the ghetto understand that dogs can be companions, and should be treated well. She's shown them her own dogs, which are well-cared for. She's explained that they need food, water, and shelter all on a daily basis. They need exercise. For the first time, some animals that might have died are being saved. Kapkis has used some funds to purchase worming medication, flea and tick collars.
Cats have a bit better life, as they can catch vermin. They are also seen as companion animals.
Spaying and neutering have been unknown - animals get loose, breed, and then have a litter. If the puppies or kittens aren't wanted, they are dumped, or killed. The first two dogs have been spayed, thanks to generous donations. The idea is to get as many of the cats and dogs spayed or neutered so that they aren't producing litter after litter of unwanted babies. A cat will be neutered next week, thanks to a donor.
Children see adults treating animals badly and emulate them. This has resulted in some kittens and puppies being killed by children who don't understand the cruelty they are putting the animal through, or that it is wrong. Lucy has been trying to educate the children, teens and young adults about how to treat animals humanely. To this end, Lucy has started a "puppy class". In puppy class, the pups come with their owners, and are being taught how to walk them on leashes, how to get them to sit and stay. She talks to the pups' owners about how they are not toys - they are animals. They need rest as well as play. Children who don't have a puppy or kitten come to watch, and are learning as well.
People keep chickens for eggs, goats for milk, and possibly some rabbits (for meat). These are seen as livestock.
Please consider making a donation here : http://www.gofundme.com/bhdet4
While there are some cars in the village, the two horses and donkey are the primary source of transportation of goods, materials, and people. The animals pull wagons along both dirt and paved roads. These animals need to be shod on a regular basis, and they need new harnesses, or to have their harnesses repaired. They bring in much needed income when someone hires their owners to bring firewood from the hills or stones from the river. One horse will be on maternity leave soon. Lucy has been encouraging the owners to lighten the loads the horse is pulling as the mare gets further in to her pregnancy. She is also encouraging them to think ahead to how they will feed mare and foal over the winter, as well as get their firewood in before the horse is out of action for a while.
Dogs have been considered disposable in the ghetto end of the village. They are chained, fed and watered if there is food and if someone remembers. Lucy advises that they are often fed bread. The animals suffer from fleas, ticks, and worms in addition to dehydration and malnutrition. They are often left out in all sorts of weather, with little or no shelter. They have been used strictly as guards, never seen as companions. Lucy is helping to change the attitude towards these animals, though. She's helped some of the younger members of the ghetto understand that dogs can be companions, and should be treated well. She's shown them her own dogs, which are well-cared for. She's explained that they need food, water, and shelter all on a daily basis. They need exercise. For the first time, some animals that might have died are being saved. Kapkis has used some funds to purchase worming medication, flea and tick collars.
Cats have a bit better life, as they can catch vermin. They are also seen as companion animals.
Spaying and neutering have been unknown - animals get loose, breed, and then have a litter. If the puppies or kittens aren't wanted, they are dumped, or killed. The first two dogs have been spayed, thanks to generous donations. The idea is to get as many of the cats and dogs spayed or neutered so that they aren't producing litter after litter of unwanted babies. A cat will be neutered next week, thanks to a donor.
Children see adults treating animals badly and emulate them. This has resulted in some kittens and puppies being killed by children who don't understand the cruelty they are putting the animal through, or that it is wrong. Lucy has been trying to educate the children, teens and young adults about how to treat animals humanely. To this end, Lucy has started a "puppy class". In puppy class, the pups come with their owners, and are being taught how to walk them on leashes, how to get them to sit and stay. She talks to the pups' owners about how they are not toys - they are animals. They need rest as well as play. Children who don't have a puppy or kitten come to watch, and are learning as well.
People keep chickens for eggs, goats for milk, and possibly some rabbits (for meat). These are seen as livestock.
Please consider making a donation here : http://www.gofundme.com/bhdet4