COOL THOUGHTS

LIFE’S A BEACH…..BARK

Particularly when you are a beach dog in

Ponta D'Ouro, Mozambique.

At first sight the dogs at Ponta d’Ouro look healthy and happy. And they are.

But it took a lot of effort and support to get them in this condition.

Some people still struggle with the concept of stray dogs on the beach, and some (like us) love our morning walks with up to 8 dogs gadding around.

The beach gazebos seem to have a banded deal – rent a gazebo and get a dog – often two or three. These will be your dogs for the day and they will fiercely guard their temporary shelter.

Their parentage has been quite distinct. A virile Ridgeback has left his mark on many a young pup, whilst a brindle lad also seemed to have romanced on the beach. With frequent sterilisation puppies have been controlled.
Protect Ponta is an NGO set up to assist animals in the Ponta d’Ouro and Malongane areas. Frequent fund raising has provided medical and clinical care for dogs. They work with MAPS (Mozambique Animal Protection Society) from Maputo to run rabies and sterilisation clinics.

Food is purchased on a monthly basis and the dogs are fed at The Whaler in the Ponta d’Ouro caravan park.

Most dogs you encounter on the beach are sterilised and immunised on a regular basis. Having them there protects the area from other strays as their territory is marked with determination.

So, if you are going to Ponta d’Ouro or Malongane please give a thought to these dogs and take a bag of dog food through to The Whaler.

September is World Rabies Month and Protect Ponta, in conjunction with MAPS,

will be running a rabies drive in Malongane and Zitundo

on the 13 and 14th September 2014.

Funding is desperately needed.

Donations in food or cash are most welcome.

Contact Shannon at Protect Ponta: 082 464 3223