LUSAKA ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

[ROXY]

Dear Zambia,
A round of applause for the good Samaritans who have formed LAWS (Lusaka Welfare Animal Society). They are doing an amazing job. They are vaccinating animals for Rabies for low income groups, they assist with stray dog population control through neutering and spaying, they rescue animals suffering cruelty. There are other Anti Cruelty Societies, SPCA in Ndola, KAWS in Kitwe. Great job, please keep it up. There is great need in this country to provide better equipped VET clinics. It is an area where little education has been available. Now Thanks to the efforts of LAWS, SPCA and KAWS, a lot of people will enjoy the real benefits of owing pets. If anyone is interested in knowing all the benefits, I could post them. We need more Pet shops, Grooming parlours, and Vet Clinics. In America it is a multi million dollar industry. Why not in Zambia ? It is good to see that people are taking the initiative and we now have two pet shops in Lusaka. There is also a grooming parlour, How about dog shows for best kept dog in townships, how about introduction of lectures in Primary and Secondary Schools ?

Children learn good parenting skills, kindness, compassion and many other things by taking care of a puppy or kitten.

This is not all, farmers with cattle could do with mobile clinics for their sick animals, the list is endless.

[Kombonian]

Hi Roxy. I'm going to make a big bet here that you're a nice white lady.

But I have to say this. Growing up in the townships, we used to make dogs fight for fun. This was a big deal for us and it provided tremendous entertainment at our age. We did not have toys or TVs, you see. But we've ended up being just as kind parents as those in the city who played with toy dogs instead or watched their animal fights on an earlier version of discovery channel.

Now you our white sisters want to take this part of our lives in the township away. Do you plan to replace it with real toys and free discovery channel or even wwe wrestling? Those kids in townships won't grow up normal if they have too little entertainment, so how will you or LAWS deal with that, madam? In fact, they are likely to do more fights themselves when they can't project this through their dogs. Is that better?

[Miles Finch]

A wise man once said if you don't have anything sensible to say don't say anything all. Dog fighting for entertainment?

[Nyau]

Mr. Finch,
I see your point. Maybe bwana Kombonian is talking pest control here. Too many stray dog and dog-fighting helps eliminate some of them. I don't know, I'm just guessing.

I think I am a decent person. Although I realize that is meaningless because Idi Amin thought the same about himself. Even Chiluba, imagine that. Anyway, I cannot think of any good reason for torturing animals. Although throughout my life I have struggled with my own hypocrisy. For the life of me, I cannot give up eating meat. Killing another animal and eating it, is the ultimate torture.

I know a lad who found comfort in never cutting the animal's throat himself. He thought that if one just eats the meat while another slaughters it, the eater is guiltless. That is baloney. The eater is as guilty as the one who slaughtered the damn poor thing. Ultimately all we meat eaters as well as the dog fighting idiots are guilty of the same crime. The Murder of another living creature.

The only guilt-free are the vegetarians. KK says he is one. But I have always wondered, looking at that pork-like neck of his. And those fat, chubby cheeks on either side of his hippopotamus mouth.

[Roxy]

Gentlemen, I am not a white lady. Can we all be positive and not try to immediately run down some good that is being done in Society. I too grew up in a township in a poor country. There are many forms of entertainment without reverting to cruelty. We used to run races, make toys out of rags, invent stories, play a sort of hopscotch in the sand, play a game with a simple stick and two teams, yes - talk to beggars and sympathise with them, we collected seed and made things out of them, bracelets etc. The list is endless. We did not have to revert to cruel and damaging games like dog fights where poor helpless animals are taught to fight and even get killed in the process. It is being banned in many countries. I do not think it is legal in Zambia.

Why teach young minds entertainment that involves cruelty.

I agree wholeheartedly that we need to bring in Animal Planet and Natgeo Wild free to everyone. I hope the powers that be will do this great service to Zambia instead of M Net where movies are shown with violence, violence and more violence. We need a happy peaceful world, not violence. Cruelty begins at home in the minds of young people. We as parents can do a lot to teach our children love and kindness to those that are helpless and in our care - our pets.

It also creates a new industry and more job opportunities. The good is endless if we all put out minds to this positively and start helping rather than critisizing and advocating cruelty in any form, be it to child, animal or any living creature.

Yes, animals are slaughtered for consumption daily and they suffer terrible agony. Watching animals in the wild kill for food - well that is nature and we cannot do anything about that. However, as human beings gifted with intelligence, it is our
duty to help animals in need. By doing so we serve many other objectives - Rabies free society - caring people - etc etc etc

It has been scientifically proven that people become immune to cruelty and violence the more they come in contact with it.

My request is go to google- type in "Benefits of dog ownership" please take time to visit various sites, I am sure you will find it most interesting. They are used in hospitals, by the police to hunt criminals, in old people's home, in mental
institutions, to help children learn to read, to help invalids, the list is endless.

[Teacher]

Quote (Roxy):"It has been scientifically proven that people become immune to cruelty and violence the more they come in contact with it."

Does this mean that boxers, soldiers, etc are immune to cruelty and violence? they do frequently come in contact with it, no?

[PK]

I would personally be interested to know if George Bush had a pet. Maybe that's what was missing in his life.

[Nyau]

Roxy,

Am sorry people have to bring race into an issue like this. What has race got to do with this? With anything, really?

But Roxy, you did not answer the question of whether or not you are a vegetarian. I believe people who are not strict vegetarians should step off that pedestal when they preach animal rights.

It does appear rather hypocritical to me, when one preaches animal rights and goes home to munch on some chicken wings or a juicy steak.

[ROXY]

As I mentioned earlier, there is little one can do for animals slaughtered for food. However, I am not preaching, only highlighting an area which if people like yourself come on board to join and see for yourself could bring great good to our country.

I will be way for next two weeks, but will watch with interest for any further developments on this site.

I will answer your question, no I am not over fond of meat and have it perhaps once a month. Very little at that and I am not a Hindu either.

There is no reason an animal meant for slaughter should suffer cruelty during his life time, although the end in inevitable. (poor thing)

Mr Nyau, please join one of these societies, see the work they do, see the animals in distress, after six months of working with these dedicated people, come back and air your views here. I am sure you will come back with a much more positive attitude.

We are looking at extra money for young people, students, people waiting for jobs, they could earn a bit of extra through pet sitting, which is not child labour, but a very happy, healthy and beneficial past time. Students all over the world do small bits and pieces to earn a bit of pocket money. Pet Sitting is just playing with, feeding the dog, taking care of it in the owner's absence. We are looking at people opening shops which stock Pet supplies, we are looking at more people going into a very necessary and noble profession. People like yourself can play a significant role. Please do go on the internet and reseach this, you will be surprised. Thanks.

[tyra]

You mention that there are pet shops in lusaka... where? Do they have supplies like litter trays and better food than the ones you find in the supermarket? Any information on this would be great as i am doing a project on this.
Thanks

[Crystal]

Roxy,

We are in the process of adopting a pet in Zambia. I would love to know where the two pet shops you mentioned are located!

Thanks!

[ROXY]

I am so sorry not to have replied earlier. Did not realize that someone was asking for the address of the two pet shops. One is in Showground Vet's premises, I am sure you all know the famous Vet Dr Liza Oparachoa. Then there is another one in Manda Hill. The one in Showground Vet is particularly for dogs and cats. Also Pick n Pay are expanding their range of pet products. Yes, available is dog toothpaste, Mirra Cotte (Omega 3 and 6 supplement) if you want your dog to look like a show stopper.

We desperately need pet shops in every town in Zambia. We also need pet education. Qualified groomers (We have one in Kitwe - call 229530 by name of Kelly), professional dog trainers, good Vet clinics. The list is endless. Watch out for Zambia's first ever dog show coming shortly to your screens. Should give a few ideas to people wanting to venture into this essential yet neglected field. Most countries have a booming pet industry. We see other African countries working hard on this and we need to do the same in Zambia.

It also helps in educating children to take responsibility, kindness and become good citizens in the future. If they cannot be unkind to animals and care for them, they cannot be unkind to others. I have seen a great change in people who have gone through an education program on this. They are more relaxed, can perform better at studies and in their work. Owning a pet, interacting with it, and treating it like a member of the family has scientifically proven medical benefits. For those of you who delight in tearing every letter apart, rather than waste time being critical, please go on the internet and type in words, benefits of owning a dog. Then come back and let us know what the latest research tells us.

I write this with the intention of helping people and it must be taken in this spirit.

[Tobias Nshaba]

Roxy

It is people like you that makes it possible for some of us to hang on to the belief that humans are inherently good. Even as we find ourselves sometimes living among people who quite frankly, lack a conscience and resemble wild animals in their behavior.

So Roxy, some 9 months after the fact, you still took the time to reply to Crystal's question. You are such a sweetheart. You truly care about other people. Poor Crystal maybe she had even promised her son that a puppy was on its way. Then waited for a few days and then a few weeks and when those turned into months she probably gave up on pet adoption altogether. Maybe she opted to raise cage free chickens for slaughter instead. Maybe even the little boy lost interest in puppies and went into violent video games and other gory electronic based adventures.

I'm sure Crystal will be pleasantly delighted when she reads your caring and detailed response. What a wonderful world.

[lazarous]

Hi Roxy? Though you wrote this in October 2010.I want to commend you for your line of thought for the veterinary profession in Zambia.I wish Lecturers at the school of vet and both in public and government could see and think like you are seeing the potential of vet in Zambia and I quote you" There is great need in this country to provide better equipped VET clinics. It is an area where little education has been available..... We need more Pet shops, Grooming parlours, and Vet Clinics. In America it is a multi million dollar industry. Why not in Zambia ?" You have really encouraged me.

To start with, I am a vet by profession. I believe I will be a billionaire through my profession but sad to say here in Zambia, vet is full of frustrated people, whom I think they are frustrated light from the university and suffer from inferiority complex from medical doctors,this could be seen by the increasing number of vets who are now going to do human medicine after graduating from the school of vet.The other thing I have observed is difficulties to get a job and engraved selfishness in the hearts of many vets who have employment towards fresh graduates. It is not what you know but who you know for you to get a job. Ask those who have been employed for the past three years if it was on merit.

But if we can think like you are thinking, vet will have a different story.
Martin Luther King Jr. said "A Brock man is not one without a pen in his pocket but one without a dream". Many vets are Brock and stranded because they do not think like you are thinking...bravo......

[Roxy]

Dear Lazarous. i am sorry I have just now read your letter. I strongly believe that if we have determination we can realize our ambitions. You tell me you are a vet..every town is crying oit for good professionally run clinics. What is holding you back.

I would be more than glad to provide more information on this if you send me your email address. Kind regards. Roxy

[Roxy]

Dear Lazarous. i am sorry I have just now read your letter. I strongly believe that if we have determination we can realize our ambitions. You tell me you are a vet..every town is crying oit for good professionally run clinics. What is holding you back.

I would be more than glad to provide more information on this if you send me your email address. Kind regards. Roxy

[Roxy]

Dear Lazarous. i am sorry I have just now read your letter. I strongly believe that if we have determination we can realize our ambitions. You tell me you are a vet..every town is crying oit for good professionally run clinics. What is holding you back.

I would be more than glad to provide more information on this if you send me your email address. Kind regards. Roxy

[G. Mwale]

I'm not a pet owner or pet lover. But the best thing you can do for your pets is to cut off their testicles so they don't breed unwanted dogs and cats.

I hope this helps in your cause.