BLOG PROPOSAL
Instead of writing an essay in which, I had little interest and through the writing of which I would put into practice little of what has been taught during our course, I have elected to rather create a blog. This blog would allow me to put into practice much more of what I have learnt, as well as to help the Grahamstown community and my personal art project about stray dogs in Grahamstown.
I believe the creation of this blog will be more helpful to me than the writing of an essay because although Web 2.0 techniques will be used in the creation of the essay, it is an essay which I do not care much for and would not put in the effort needed to fully and comprehensively interact with Web 2.0 and its characteristics. In the creation of a blog, I will be dealing with something which is of interest to me, personally and professionally, and because of this I will put in the maximum effort possible, enabling me to fully interact with Web 2.0. This blog, will also be practical to me, in the understanding of how to create blogs for my advertisement of myself or my interests, (i.e. A blog about my work), how to utilize the accessories of Web 2.0, which can help me access greater resources, as well as to add to a body of work about stray dogs which I am working on. The blog instead of the essay would be more widely and easily accessible as well as being useful. But, I hope the most important aspect in the creation of this blog, is the coverage and help it will provide to those animals who need it, which an essay could not.
There are various ideas, which I would like to include in this blog. Some of these would include links to the Grahamstown SPCA, ROAR, Animal Anti-Cruelty League and so on; sites with useful information about stray dogs; how to deal with them and how to solve the stray dog problem, sites in which you can help stray dogs through volunteer programs, donations or by ‘adopting’ animals in shelters around the world, but especially in South Africa. I would like to catalogue, to as great an extent as possible, the stray dogs and animals within Grahamstown, with photos and geotagging in this way those in Grahamstown who are interested in these animals can map their locations and conditions, ( I am aware that this is a very difficult thing to do as it requires maximum input from the community, but I believe that if everyone who cares tries, then much can be done to help these animals), this will enable us to start determining the number as well as breeding statistics of the animals in Grahamstown, and help them to be caught, sterilized and released. The creation of an adoption corner would be made, in which regular visits to the SPCA would result in photographs and details of those animals up for adoption; this would have to be regularly updated. Through a more public friendly space, a section of the blog would be dedicated to those animals lost and found in Grahamstown, where the public could post their photos and news of these animals.
On a more national level, this blog would have information and a forum on how to deal specifically with strays in South Africa, what the causes are, what can be done about it,(from small steps like calling the SPCA when an animal is found to a ‘sterilize and release’ program), as well as the issues pertaining to the use of dogs, (especially seen in Grahamstown), as a way to beg for money, (whether this is considered cruelty, if a trade in these animals has arisen and how we can help). I would also like to include in this blog stories of stray animals, whether they are good or bad, to expand people’s view of these animals.
It is through the balance of power and society that the lives of these dogs rest. Although dog is mans best friend, so to is man a dog's worst enemy. The relationship between the poverty of man and that of animals is directly proportional, when man falls the quality of life for animals' falls. It is within our power to help, it is partially because of our society that there is this saddening occurence- we need to use the power we have previously abused for good.
This blog is first and foremost meant to be a tool used to help animals in need and educate the people of Grahamstown.
I will create this blog using blogspot.com and various relevant links I find on the internet.
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6 comments:
Hi Lynne! Some great ideas here and I hope that together we will all be able to make a difference. Just thought you should be made aware that the SPCA does not catch, spay and release strays unless there is someone to care for these animals for the rest of their lives. If these animals can be socialised, they stand a chance of being adopted at the SPCA. If not, they are unfortunately put down.
Hi Anon! Im glad to see someone is using this post! Thanks for your comment! I have read your comment and have contacted the local SPCA to find out about this issue and whether they have a 'sterilize and release' program. I agree that putting a recently sterilized animal back into a dangerous and maybe hostile environment is not necessarily the best idea in the world, is it not better than letting them continue to breed and further exacerbate the problem? Is it not possible for the SPCA to keep the animals until such a time as they seem fit to let go? I know it takes a while before the stitches can be taken out and the SPCA cannot hold them for so long, but are there not those stitches which dissolve after a time? I don't know. What do you think? When the SPCA gets back to me I'll tell you their opinion. Thanks!
Hi there-this is the SPCA's thoughts about the 'spay and Release program-
'RE spaying stray dogs - we collect strays - we will not leave them on
the street or re-release them unless they are claimed by someone.
Therefore there is no potential for those animals to keep breeding. WE
try to get these animals off the streets and into new, loving homes.
Domesticated animals need more than a neutering operation - they need
warmth, food, monitoring, vet attention when needed, vaccinations,
deworming, de-fleaing etc... and of course, love. So strays only get
released when they have a home to go to. The only exception to this
rule is feral cat colonies, where we will catch and release with
sterilisation, but only if there is someone prepared to monitor and
manage the colonies. Otherwise, we would not put the animals back into
that situation. Life is hard enough without having to scrounge for
scraps and to not have anyone notice if you're in troubl'
Hello:
I have sort of an odd enquiry for you….
I recently returned from volunteering with domestic animal shelters throughout Latin America, but now I am looking for more of a long term (a couple months long or so) internship helping a South African animal shelter. I have a degree in Public Relations and a broad background in animal behavior and training that I could contribute to a developing rescue or shelter in need. I couldn’t find any internship opportunities on any South African shelter websites (I could only find volunteer openings), but if you know about a shelter or rescue that may need more than a volunteer; how would I go about applying for an internship. I am aware that I’m not qualified to work in SA (the embassy informed me of this), but I want to find something where I can really help out and use my experience / degree. If there are any other shelters that may need more than a volunteer and maybe an intern…please let me know. I met a South African girl in Brazil where I was working with an animal shelter (they had over 5,000 strays in their facility) and she told me to definitely try to contact someone in Grahamstown first.
Kat
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