GambiCats is a UK registered charity that has been working in The Gambia since 1998 to encourage neutering of stray cats and dogs as well as better animal welfare. Both dog and cat neutering programmes have been undertaken with UK staff and the charity now covers some 30+ hotels, the Banjul Docks, the Royal Victoria Hospital and a number of restaurants, craft markets etc.

One of their main aims has been to set up an experimental welfare and neutering project in the city of Banjul. Despite being the capital city of The Gambia, Banjul has no resident vet and a lot of sick animals. The programme would offer Gambians a subsidised drop-in clinic where they could obtain veterinary treatment and advice, as well as neutering and anti-rabies vaccinations for their dogs and cats. GambiCats UK vet Sue Harvey and veterinary nurse Suzanne Jones, who have helped with previous programmes, would give the treatment and advice while their Gambian Co-ordinator, Dodou Bojang, would organise and publicise the clinic and Gambian vet Dr. Ceesay would act as adviser while also undertaking follow-up veterinary work. So plans were made to set up the clinic in Banjul and finally in February 2007 the clinic went ahead.

The venue for the clinic ended up being a room within the Banjul Port Facility buildings as, on arrival at Banjul, GambiCats were told that the original venue they had arranged was no longer available. WEith this sudden change of venue, all hands were required to help clear, clean and prepare their new operating room - in one day - so that finally they could begin their work!

In Banjul 42 dogs were caught - of these, 27 females and 11 males were neutered, given anti-rabies vaccinations, microchipped and ear-notched for ID. Unfortunately, two dogs had to be put to sleep and one died shortly after arrival. This means that around 70 dogs have now been neutered and treated by GambiCats since January 2006.

There were also another 26 dogs and 7 cats neutered at the clinic. These were strays being re-homed and some from Gambians who had heard about the clinic and brought their animals in for treatment.

The total number of animals neutered during the 9 days the clinic was held was a staggering 71!

So despite last minute problems with the venue, the clinic has been a great success and GambiCats have been able to improve the lives of many more animals in The Gambia.

If you would like to find out more about the work of GambiCats, or to make a donation, please visit their website - http://www.gambicats.org.uk/