EXECUTING an operation such as the first national two-day Have-A-Heart sterilization project in Windhoek, which made its mark in the heart of Katutura this week-end with over 100 dogs and cats spayed and neutered, the much needed back-up of vehicles played a vital role in the running of this massive organisation from beginning to end.
The array of vehicles used, most of which were privately owned, from the organisers, the volunteers to the veterinarian crew, played an intricate part in ensuring medical supplies, blankets, tables, food, chairs, electrical supplies, dog food, food for volunteers, and so on, were transported to the community centre.
Tatjana Rapp, one of the main organisers from Windhoek, said that there was everything from compact run round’s, sedans, 4×4’ Toyota Hilux and Nissan Hardbody bakkies, a Nissan SUV 2×4 Qashqaei which worked overtime, an Avatar Nissan X-Trail 4×4 belonging to the SA veterinary team, plus a Fiat Panel Van and a variety of others cars and 4×4’s which came and went throughout the two day ‘Spayathon.’
Each one serviced its purpose in transporting people plus all the supplies and equipment needed to run a full blown veterinary clinc from the centre on Saturday and Sunday. Mention has to be made to a 1989 Toyotasingle cabHilux bakkie4x4 driven by former Chairperson SPCA Debbie Gibson, which was used as a mercy ‘drop off service’ throughout the two days. Many dozens of trips were made all over Katutura namely Hakahana, Okahandja Park, Kilimendjaro and Okuryangava, dropping off the canine patients who were still drowsy and in pain after their operations.
There owners were lifted home with their animals wrapped up in blankets to save them a long trek back. “Because of the conditions of the roads, I was happy that I had my trusted Hilux 4×4, and I was glad to have spared these people a long walk home with their animals that had been through such an ordeal,” said Gibson.
On another note, Spes Bona Fiat came to the party with the sponsorship of a zippy, go-anywhere1.4 petrol Fiat FiorinaPanel Van, which transported over a half a dozen giant bags of dog food to the site. It was the focal point on Saturday morning and served as a ‘dog food kiosk’, to queues of dog owners and children who received bags of free pet food to take home.
The compact delivery vehicle for town driving is a standard two door with rear double door loading entrance into spacious compartment, with fold away seat, provided enough space for the big bags of food. It is Spes Bona Fiat’s popular seller amongst companies looking for economical and compact delivery vehicle at N$157 500.
Speaking to Ute Fink one of the main organisers, who was driving a Nissan Hardbody bakkie and Sentra 1400 during the three month organisation period leading up the Spayathon, and mentioned that she clocked up well over 700 kilometres. Both Nissan’s performed well and her 16-year-old Nissan Sentra performed like a star, not giving up once.
Everyone who assisted in this mammoth undertaking did it for the cause, even if it meant driving their vehicle over the bumpy gravel roads into the heart of Katutura, it was all worth it just to help the township animals.
Debbie Gibson’s ‘drop-off’ Toyota Hilux 4×4 transported owners back home after their animals had been spayed and neutered
The zippy 1.4 Fiat Fiorino doubled up as a ‘dog-food kiosk’ for queues of dog owners and children was sponsored by Spes Bona for the campaign
Nissan made its presence felt, and the Avatar Nissan X-Trail belonging to SA veterinarian Desmond Stafford (Avatar Sterilization and Protection NPO),which travelled up to the Namibia for the national Have-A-Heart spay and neuter campaign, also clocked up many kilometres.
Windhoek Have-A-Heart team leader Tatjana Rapp’s Nissan was put to the test loading everything from boxes to supplies, and spent two months driving through Katutura as an awareness build up to the ‘Spayathon’ this past week-end.
BY Donna Collins