Khayelitsha, Cape Town -

The South African Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust (SAMAST) is proud to announce the establishment of the first ever, permanent STERILISATIONS ONLY clinic in South Africa or anywhere else on the continent.

On Friday, 5 October, between 8.30am & 9am, a 40ft (l2m) shipping container, wrapped in an enormous bow, will be delivered to the grounds of the Mdzananda Animal Clinic. Over the next few weeks the container will be converted into an operational, sterilisation clinic, where all SAMAST funded sterilisations will take place. The cages, for pre and post operative care have already been ordered and by the end of October it is hoped windows, doors, particians, running water and electricity will be installed. SAMAST is appealing for product and any financial support, no donation is too big or small, and have asked that they are contacted on 021 794 3761 or emailed on samast@webafrica.orq.za.

'We are so excited to be a hairs breath away from reaching this goal and with just a little more help, a fully operational, permanent sterilisation clinic will be up and running in Khayelitsha, the largest informal settlement in the Western Province," say Tamsin Nel, Director and fundraiser of SAMAST. "Mass sterilisation has got to be the most pro-active solution to so much despair and suffering.

It's about eliminating the cause of all this misery and this is why this unique clinic is about hope and compassion. I'd say that we as South Africans have a reason to start celebrating!"

SAMAST has been campaigning for free mass sterilisations to become a daily occurrence in underprivileged areas since September 2006 and has so far funded 735 sterilisations at the cost of R110 250,00.

SAMAST believes that the only way to address animal over-population is to be consistent and focused. They are able to pay for eighty-five sterilisations every month and are working towards a funding target of 365 spays and neuters per month in Khayelitsha before turning their attentions to other areas in need.

"If enough funds are received and all your energies are focused on one particular area, until operations are at maximum capacity, we believe that an area in crises can be stabilised, says Nel, "Then the focus is shifted to a maintenance and management program, where far more resources will be available for education and empowerment. As a matter of fact, each time a community member has their cat or dog sterilised they are empowered because they now have a far more manageable task of care-giving. They no longer have to deal with the hopelessness of litter after litter of unwanted dead and dying kittens and puppies. I have seen how this impacts very positively in the level of care their animals receive from then on and an added bonus, is the fewer diseased and sick animals with mange and ringworm for example, the healthier the human population is too because they are less at risk in contracting scabies or being covered in ringworm."

"We have an excellent working relationship with Mdzananda who have taken on the task of collecting the cats and dogs from the Khayelisha community, treating the sick and injured, and then returning the pets to their care givers once they have been sterilised. We have also employed the services of Vetsol, a travelling sterilisation team who share our vision and are essential to this three way partnership."

By Tamsin Nel