LSPCA clinic transformed into state-of-the-art vets

A new era for animal welfare in Malawi

22.06.12

Last month almost £100,000 worth of donations from our Clinic in a Box project transformed Malawi's shell of an animal clinic into a fully-equipped veterinary surgery.

The African country, one of the poorest in the world, has also seen its first ever convictions for animal cruelty – leading some to herald it a 'new era for animal welfare'.
 

It was a battle to save animals' lives in previous conditions

Despite having a population of 13 million, Malawi has only three practising vets. And the LSPCA (Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals) is the only welfare charity and veterinary clinic to offer free treatment.

Until recently the LSPCA was battling to save animals from a shell of a building and mobile clinics with no electricity or running water.

Operations were performed on a wooden fold-out table and there was no diagnostic equipment.

 

But thanks to generous donations to our Clinic in a Box project, the new veterinary clinic now has:

• a proper operating table
• an x-ray machine
• scales
• blood analysers
• cupboards full of supplies such as bandages, surgical instruments and medicines.

The new clinic 'is going to make such a difference'

Dr Richard Ssuna, chief vet of the LSPCA, said:

I am over the moon with this new clinic - it is going to make such a difference to us and so many more animals' lives can now be saved.

We had absolutely nothing in our rooms before. We had to make do with basic supplies and no x-ray or blood machines.

 

One of first animals to owe their lives to LSPCA's new clinic

 

The LSPCA's new veterinary clinic has already made quite a difference to several animals' lives, including dog Scruffy who was in a great deal of pain after being hit by a car.

The terrier cross was taken to the LSPCA where their new x-ray machine revealed his ribs were fractured and air was getting trapped.
 

Thanks to the newly-fitted equipment, Scruffy got the life-saving treatment he needed and survived. 

 

'I feel so proud [Malawi] is really turning this corner'

Richard added:

It is a groundbreaking and exciting new era for animal welfare in Malawi - I feel so proud the country is really turning this corner.

Not only is this the first kitted-out clinic offering free treatments, but for the first time ever four people have been found guilty of animal cruelty.

 

First ever convictions for animal cruelty in Malawi

The metamorphosis of the LSPCA clinic came within weeks of the first successful animal cruelty prosecution.

Two men were fined and given community service for selling kittens and puppies by the side of the road.

Baby animals treated in this way are often taken from their mothers too young and suffer from malnutrition, thirst and poor handling from being held up for sale in the extreme heat of the African sun.

 

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More about Clinic in a Box

You can read more about the history and success of our exciting international project in the LSPCA's Clinic in a Box blog.
 

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