A day in the life of a straybuster
Baark! and Straybusters are a force to be reckoned with, these two organizations have teamed together to help address the stray and unwanted animal issue in Nassau. Together they are endeavoring to help end the unneeded suffering of our Bahamian animals due to the large numbers of homeless cats and dogs.
Recently I
had the privilege to ride along with a straybusting team. A team of two dedicated and caring women who
spend a good deal of their spare time tackling the stray population of Nassau
one animal at a time. This team spares
the streets of Nassau many unwanted litters through a spay and neuter program.
Baark! is proud to partner with them.
The process
of straybusting not a simple one, it involves dirt, sweat and lots of sardines.
A humane trap is set and the animal is lured to the trap by the tantalizing
smell of sardines. Once inside, the trap
closes and the straybusters move the dog and the trap to the waiting vehicle
and then transported to the “waiting area” of the veterinarians office where
they will be spayed or neutered. The next day the dogs are released back to the
neighborhoods with instructions to the owners or caregiver so that if they have
further concerns they can call for help.
Approaching
the day that I have to admit I was nervous, I mean these girls were pros and I
was really just an observer ready to help when needed but I had no idea how you
approach random people and ask them if they want help with their animal or how
to trap a dog that is untrusting of humans.
Our first
stop of the day was a known area to the straybusters; they had just been to the
area few days ago but were called to return to see to a dog whose stitches had
come out prematurely. While we were there a dog was noticed that had previously
eluded the traps of two days before, she did not have owners who would claim
her but was relatively comfortable around the men who hung out on the property.
The trap was once again set but this time the men who lived there helped out by
placing the sardines in the trap, as our presence made the dog nervous. What I was impressed with was the community
cooperation; the men really did want to see the dogs in the neighborhood happier
and healthier. All of a sudden we had gone from a team of three to a team of
seven, all with the interest of the dogs in common. We left with friendships formed, dogs in hand
and the smell of sardines wafting not so gently through our clothes.
The next
stop was a few blocks away in more of a residential area where there were owned
dogs who were having many litters. This time, under direction from their
parents to help it was the children who were assisting us in telling us where
we might find certain dogs that needed to be spay or neutered. These children
had wonderful questions to ask of us, what were we doing with the dogs?, when
will they come back? How does that help? The floods of questions were answered
patiently and kindly. The children were reassured that the dogs would be
returned after they had a quick operation that would stop them from having more
puppies. By the time we were finished capturing the dogs, the children in that
neighborhood knew a great deal more about animal welfare and were even exciting
to help support our cause by telling others. We left with more dogs (and a cat)
and clothes sticking to our backs from sweat, all still smiling!
The drama of that day was went a young, determined
female dog decided to lodge herself under a shed to avoid our trap, this is
where the dirt and sweat comes in to play.
The straybusters were on their stomachs in the dirt trying to coax this
dog out, the dog was eventually captured and transported safely to the vet to
be spayed the clothing of the straybusters however might not have made it
through the laundry without stains. All for a good cause they both said as
their faces shone with satisfaction.
One more
thing I want to report. Once the dog is spayed or neutered they receive a
purple collar which helps the straybusters determine which dog has already been
done. The purple collar also helps raise awareness, kind a marketing ploy for the
dog advocates. The purple collar says, Baark! and Straybusters have been here! So next time you see a dog with a purple
collar; please know Baark! in partnership with Straybusters has made a
difference not only for that dog but for the dog’s whole neighborhood.
So what is
needed from you? A generous donor had recently given Baark! enough funds to
purchase a vehicle to assist in the spay and neuter endeavor. Baark! needs funds to keep the vehicle gassed
up and ready to roll. We need donors to
support the cost of the spaying and neutering process. We need alliances in
neighborhoods, alliances that care for strays by providing food and water for
them. Alliances that can report abuse or
neglect cases to us that can be investigated. Foster homes are needed for the abused and
neglected animals that are found, animals that without the love and care of a
home would die thinking only knowing the ache of an empty stomach, the pain of
an untreated injury or illness. Baark! and Straybusters need your help, however
small or larger you can give, whether time or money, we need your help curb the
population of unwanted and uncared for animals on the streets of Nassau.
