Contact Address: Gambi
Cats Charity
UK headquarters
Parc Llwyd, Aberporth
Cardigan SA43 2DU
Wales, UK
Tel no: +44 012 398 10595
Fax: +44 012 398 11193
Email: gambicats@aol.com
Greater Banjul area head office
PO Box 2874, Serrekunda
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel no: +220 9900756 / 7999756
6900756
Email: dodoucat@hotmail.co.uk
(Donations for cats & dogs are by cheque)
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Information: GambiCats
animal charity began by helping stray cats in Gambia
back in 1998 and registered with the UK Charity Commission
in March 1999. It is entirely funded by donations. Its
main goals are to promote their neutering program and
to advance the welfare of stray cats as well as dogs
in the Greater Banjul area and beyond.
The GambiCats program began because of need to address
the unfortunate condition of many of the felines which
could be found freely roaming many of the beaches and
hotels in Gambia and the often inhumane local ways being
employed to keep their numbers in check. Among the control
methods used is catching cats in nets and releasing
them in the bush or even poisoning them.
The neutering and return to site scheme is generally
accepted internationally as the most humane way to control
numbers and maintain a healthy population. All neutered
cats have the point of the left ear removed for future
identification. Dogs' ears have a small notch removed
from their left ear and are sometimes tattooed or receive
a microchip implant.
GambiCats also tries to find new homes for stray, unwanted
adult dogs, cats, as well as puppies and kittens.
The animal charity began its operations in Gambia by
bringing together a team of 4 people which included
a veterinary surgeon from the UK. They spent seven days
trapping, neutering and returning to their places of
capture which were the Fajara and Kombo Beach hotels.
This operation was was a successful start to the scheme
and the two cat colonies are still in good shape. A
central feeding unit called the Cat Cafe was founded
at the Kombo Beach hotel and guests can visit the cats
and give them food.
The result is that cats were less likely to prowl around
the doors of restaurants and other facilities in search
for food. This situation was disliked by many managers
and guests alike.
A full-time local administrator was employed to sustain
and spread the program. Since that time many beach bars,
lodgings, restaurants as well as the Banjul Port Authority
and RVTH have joined the neutering program in Gambia.
The Department of Livestock Services at Abuko has backed
the GambiCats scheme and has distributed an advisory
note which they have given to all hotels. The charity
has also received the backing of the Tourism Authority.
It is the position of GambiCats that the scheme can
only be kept going if it is grounded on the involvement
of veterinary clinics and surgeons in The Gambia with
the support of the local population. This lead to the
creation of the Association for the Welfare of Animals
in The Gambia which is dedicated to promoting better
animal welfare.
Almost every year since GambiCats was established it
has set up a neutering clinic, with visiting European
vets, which last from between one week to ten days.
How To Help Cats & Dogs in Gambia: • Donate
to the animal charity, become a member, receive a biannual
newsletter. • Give them fundraising ideas.
• If you are visiting Gambia & ready to take
small supplies such as worming tablets. • Let
your local vet know about GambiCats' need for equipment
& supplies. • Let them know the state of
health of cats & dogs where you are lodging.
Donated Vet Medical Supplies:
Antibiotics
Antiseptic skin cream for minor cuts etc
Cat traps & carriers
Cotton wool
Dog graspers
Dog muzzles
Ear and eye drops
Instruments (all kinds)
Leads & collars - second-hand are fine
Needles & syringes
Operating supports e.g. Kruuse
Surgical gloves sizes 7 & 8
Suture materials - absorbable - suitable for neutering
Vet bedding
Veterinary drugs & vaccines contact us for more
information
Worm & flea treatments e.g. Drontal, Frontline,
Milbemax |