Cats of Gili, Free Clinic For Our Feline Friends
LOMBOK TRAVEL GUIDE – From November 23rd to December 1st Gili Trawangan was the site of a huge effort aimed at keeping the island’s cat population in check by spaying and neutering as many as possible. Cats of Gili coordinator, Finnish Born Susanna Patari, had her hands full (literally) with help from the Bali Dog Adoption and Rehabilitation Centre in collecting the 203 cats that were operated on.
Vets from Jakarta Animal Aid Network as well as Canadian volunteer vet Carmen Carter were onsite to do the job as well as handling the 50 or so cats and cittens that were brought in to be treated for various ailments from worms to eye infections and cat flu.
The clinic was hosted by Blue Marlin Dive where the cats were anesthetized and kept overnight to fully recover from their operations before they were returned to the areas where they were found. Cats of Gili is a part of the Gili Eco Trust that specializes in the treatment of the islands felines as well as horses.
Cats of Gili concentrates only on cats, horses have their own support network (Gili Carriage Horse Support Network, See on FB : www.facebook.com/pages/Gili-Carriage-Horse-Support-Network/180970802061296) and Gili Eco Trust also looks after horses, but they like to have the clinics at the same time for catas and horses both. Volunteer participation, donations and the aid of local Gili T businesses have been paramount to this charities success and in the future more clinics are planned.
my background is in IT, I just really love animals!
Susanna hopes to hold at least two per year which is contingent upon sufficient funding and as well Susanna notes, “we would like for people to adopt these cats so they have a home.”
When asked if she had a veterinary history Susanna responded with a big smile, “my background is in IT, I just really love animals!”
Another clinic in January, also in Gili Air and Meno, had the support of volunteer vets from Finland and Australia, as Well as support from Australia based Animal Aid Abroad (Animal Aid Abroad has donated medicines and funding for the clinic!).
Follow the events of Cats of Gili or get involved via their Facebook or blog Page : www.facebook.com/CatsOfGili, http://cats-of-gili.blogspot.com/
Source : Gili Life Magazine Editor : Jackysan
