Today we set our sights for Lake Bosomtwe! According to my Google maps, it’s about 5 hours by car, although I heard that this depends on what route you take and what shape the roads are in. Either way, it should be an adventurous trip. Driving is often a good way to get to see and know a country. After…
Accra, Ghana. 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday – After clearing customs and getting my suitcase, I met my driver holding a Mission Rabies sign, and we were off to the Agoo Hostel, where I can chill out and relax for a bit. At 7 p.m. I’ll have dinner with the other Mission Rabies Ghana 2020 team members who have arrived.…
Two weeks before Mark and I were scheduled to leave for our trip to Africa, our cat Mittens developed some diarrhea and vomiting. She had been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease 8 years ago and has been receiving medicine for it ever since, and has done amazingly well. Her main symptom has always been vomiting; diarrhea was something new. I…
They’re lurking quietly: in your kitchen; in your garden; in your medicine cabinet; on your nightstand. Substances potentially hazardous to your cat are everywhere. Medications. Human medications are a very common cause of toxicity in cats. Cats have a unique metabolism, and some drugs that people tolerate well can be harmful or even fatal to cats. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)…
Worldwide Veterinary Services International Training Centre by Dr. Arnold Plotnick – Catster.com
Mission Rabies Fights Rabies in Both Dogs and Humans Dr. Arnold Plotnick discusses his work in India with Mission Rabies, an organization that vaccinates dogs to prevent rabies. Check out the full story here on Dogster.com Check out my elaborated journey here.
Friday, I arrived at the WVS Centre rested and ready. The surgery suite was already abuzz. A local cat rescue group was notified in advance about the week being focused on cats, and they contacted other rescue groups as well, supplying us with many cats in need of sterilization. Some were owned by people that couldn’t afford this surgery otherwise. …
The next morning, after a great breakfast, Ian took me to the Centre, where I finally met Dr. Miglio. He gave me a tour of the facility, including the clinic, the shelter, and the surgery area. The clinic was pretty modern, with state of the art x-ray equipment. Most of the animals in the clinic are brought there for obvious,…
I was met by Ian at the airport, and driven to the Narittaya Resort and Spa. This is where the World Veterinary Service houses their visitors. It’s about five minutes from the clinic. It’s a very peaceful, very quiet place. Instead of rooms, you are given your own little villa. Mine was very spacious, with two beds. The beds were…
Most veterinarians know Peter Singer from his books In Defense of Animals, and Animal Liberation. His interests, however, go beyond animal welfare, and he has written many books and essays on ethics, poverty, and morality. This book is a collection of essays that cover a broad range of topics, from vegetarianism and veganism to cloning, climate change, euthanasia, and religion. …
All good things eventually must come to an end, and that includes this incredible adventure. The vaccinating and caring for the animals goes on all year, but these Mission Rabies volunteer projects are only two weeks long, and the last day had (all too quickly) arrived. We gathered at the reception area in the morning as usual, and rolled out…
There are so many enjoyable aspects of the Mission Rabies Goa vaccination drive (Here’s their Facebook Page; give em a ‘like’). I loved meeting and bonding with my fellow volunteers. Driving through Goa and walking the streets and alleys was fascinating. Sampling Indian breakfast cuisine at the different roadside cafés was great. Meeting and chatting with the residents of Goa…
In my previous post, I described Goa as a city of crazy contrasts and contradictions, and that’s true. There is one thing, however, that remains consistent about Goa, and that is its residents: the kindest, friendliest, and most appreciative people I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. Although I knew that the impetus behind Mission Rabies is to reduce the…
I woke up refreshed this morning, despite having a difficult time falling asleep last night. I had taken a nap before dinner, and after dinner I just wasn’t tired. Eventually, Satan’s aspirin (i.e. Ambien) did the trick. I lumbered downstairs and headed over to the restaurant for breakfast with my fellow volunteers. The non-Indian fare was pretty nondescript: slices…
I’m sitting in the Mumbai airport. My flight to Goa boards in 45 minutes. Last night, after a smooth landing in Mumbai, I headed to Immigration/Passport Control. I was amazed to find very few passengers, and tons of clerks manning the windows. It’s almost always the other way around. Getting through immigration was a breeze. I headed to the Arrivals…