The Esther Honey K9-9K run/walk fundraiser on Monday afternoon raised a total of $500 for the Nikao animal clinic to cover some of its operational costs. Around 70 walkers and runners and 15 dogs turned out for the event which was well supported by the Hash House Hussies, Hoffsprings and Harriers running club members. Esther Honey clinic director Karen Galvan says she was pleased with the turnout on the day and hopes that the fun fundraiser will become a bi annual event. A hamper was also raffled off after the run/walk which was donated to the animal clinic by Kiwi visitors Mick and Jamie Muller worth $200 and won by Jeff Hill. Galvan says with the success of the inaugural 9K-K9 fundraiser, she hopes that more locals will get behind future campaigns as it is local animals that are being cared for and treated by the clinic. Galvan and the team of volunteers would like to thank the Hash House Harriers and everyone that brought their dogs along for the walk for all your support. Watch this space for the next 9K-K9 fun run/walk fundraiser. - Matariki Wilson

The Esther Honey Foundation animal clinic is pleased with the community response to Vet Trek Rarotonga,® the mass spay/neuter project currently under way. EHF clinic director Karen Galvan reports that EHF de-sexed 1123 animals in 2008, including 537 dogs.

“This prevented hundreds of unwanted puppies and kittens from being born and improved the health of these animals,” says Galvan. “Treating this number of animals brings EHF closer to our goal of spaying and neutering more than 70 percent of the canine population which will stabilise the dog population on Rarotonga.”

Over the coming weeks, EHF volunteers will be out in the community between 7am and 9am collecting dogs and cats to be de-sexed. People are welcome to pre- book by calling EHF.

Galvan says that the clinic’s mission is to treat companion animals, however of the 2,532 island animals that EHF treated in 2008, more than 80 were animals other than dogs or cats. “We are providing emergency compassionate care to suffering livestock. We work alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and those people in the community seeking our assistance to treat pigs, cows, goats, horses and even birds who would suffer or die without the foundation’s involvement,” says Galvan.
EHF has been working in the Cook Islands community since 1995 and will celebrate their 15-year anniversary in 2010. EHF’s capabilities strengthen year after year making permanent improvements in the health of animals and the community. “The clinic’s average monthly expenses were $4500 in 2008 and fundraising including donations are critical to meeting the clinic’s day to day financial requirements.

EHF invites everyone to join our inaugural K9 9K Fun Run Walk that will kick-off at the Punanga Nui Market rotunda on Monday 27th April 2009 at 5:30pm. All dogs (K9s) registered to participate in the run/walk event will receive a free EHF bandana and with refreshments for both dogs and people being planned for the end.

There is no registration fee for this fun event but a gold coin donation from the whole family is always welcomed. The clinic’s goal is to raise $5000 to help island animals this year.

Dear Editor: The writer’s frustration with dog owners who do not control the animals in their care is understandable but the proposed response to wandering dogs, to simply, “eliminate the dogs”, is not the solution.

Scientist working in the field of dog population management concluded some time ago that attempts to exterminate all the dogs does not achieve the results the writer seeks. A 1990 World Health Organization Report, based on dog ecology studies carried out in various countries in all continents, recommended drastic changes in the management of dog populations that, up to that point, was largely done through "catch and kill," poisoning and shooting. Although such methods are still used in some countries, the report confirmed that there is no evidence to show that these methods have any long-term effect in reducing the size of the dog population. The outcome of a 2001 plan on Rarotonga to, “put down the estimated 2,000 stray dogs (sic) on the island” confirmed locally, what authorities had documented internationally.

Misguided attempts to eradicate wandering animals frequently result in negative publicity for tourism dependent countries and infuriate animal loving tourists. The Cook Islands experienced this phenomenon first–hand when the early 90’s Rarotonga dog control program resulted in tourist publications carrying stories of alleged animal cruelty by Cook Island authorities. The Internet increases international awareness of each country's treatment of animals and more tourists refuse to travel to counties where animals are not treated humanely. Ironically, extermination programs are not only ineffective; they are likely to alienate the very people the country is trying to attract.

The only scientifically proven, long-term solution that can succeed in permanently stabilizing the canine population is a spay/neuter and release program that sterilizes a minimum of 70% of dogs within a specified time. A veterinary program must then provide continuous after-care. EHF’s VET TREK® RARO, currently underway, meets these program requirements. EHF recommends making the sterilization of island dogs a priority. Everyone, including the writer, will benefit from this program and we encourage all stakeholders to contribute in some way toward its success.
Please contact the clinic at 22-336 to ask how you be a part of the solution.