GOA INDIA – SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT

(CLINICAL & HUSBANDRY AVAILABLE)

The Animal Rescue Centre (A.R.C) is in Goa, India.  It was started by Janie O’Connor, a UK lady in 2006 when she went on holiday and saw the plight of the street animals.

JANIE’S STORY

Janie was on holiday in Goa and was staying in a beach hut.  There was a mother dog who had a litter of puppies and one puppy was left which Janie was feeding. The dog started begging at the local restaurant and the restaurant owner kicked it and broke its leg.  Another waiter from the restaurant tried to drown the dog and Janie stepped in and rescued it.

Janie had to return to the UK but after splinting the dog’s leg she arranged for someone to feed and care for it. She returned a few months later to take the dog to the vet who was 3 hours away.

She then arranged for the Vet to come to Goa once a week and he was happy to do this provided there were 6 cases for him which Janie would pay for, plus pay for his travel.  Janie had the dogs treated in her room and eventually acquired a chicken coop where she had the dogs treated but then she had to leave that and find somewhere else.

Since then she has acquired land with a well, erected buildings, built kennels and has a secure area for animals to be cared for and treated.

A.R.C. is desperate for help and for funding as there is no government funding at all.  Janie raises most of the money through Facebook for anything that the Centre needs and most of it has been funded by her.

WHO CAN COME?

CLINICAL 

Veterinary students can do the STERILISATION (SPAY/NEUTER) project and work alongside experienced english speaking vets.  These vets comes from all over the world specially to teach students and to work with the street animals at ARC Goa.  Only 2 students per placement.

NOTE:  This project is totally self-funding.  Only the students’ money will enable this project to operate so you know that your money is going to a fantastic cause!

Project dates are from Saturday to Saturday so that students can get used to the heat and get over the jet lag!  The Centre is open 7 days a week.  Students can take a day off at the weekend arranged with Janie.

DATES for 2021

We are taking bookings for ALL DATES in 2021.

Students can come for 2, 3 or 4 weeks.

Email us with the dates you would like: loraine@vetsandwildlife.co.za

CLINICAL SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT

This exciting project can last for 2, 3 or 4 weeks and only 2 students will be accepted on the project at any time to maximize the learning experience.

Clinical veterinary students will work with the teaching Veterinarian. The main focus will be learning to neuter and sterilize the male and female cats and dogs and for students to become proficient as soon as possible in order to perform the operations alone (under the vet’s supervision).

Students will also be able to assist the vet with any other surgeries that are needed depending on what animals have to come in and what emergencies there are.  This means students will be able to see and experience a whole range of surgeries and procedures.

Students will assist in the morning with all the accident/emergency and trauma cases which will arrive in the mornings as many locals bring in the animals to be helped.  They will also help with the animals already on site, some will already have been operated on and need aftercare.  There is no limit to the type of injuries or problems that come in through the door so students will see a range of animals including cows, horses, birds, etc

On Mondays, in particular, there are a lot of animals ‘dumped at the gate’ or brought in and these will be dealt with and medical treatments are given.  Students will also be given reading to do by the vet in order to understand the protocols involved as there is no gas anaesthesia.

Students must have a flexible approach and attitude because emergencies can occur at any time or surgery hours can run on longer than usual.

ACCOMMODATION

Students will be accommodated in a very nice airy apartment which overlooks the river in either a double room or a twin-bedded room. There is a shower room,  a lounge/dining room and a kitchen plus a terrace.  It also has wifi.  Janie lives next door so she is available for any questions or help needed.

Pre-clinical students may wish to come in a private group of more than just 2 people and this is fine as long as they don’t mind sharing the room (more beds/mattresses will be put in).  You’ll only share the room with your friends, not with anyone unknown if you come as a group.

AT THE CENTRE

The accommodation is a 5-minute tuk-tuk ride to the ARC center.

KENNELS:  There are cages for dogs awaiting surgery in one room and those which have been operated on are kept in cages in another room for aftercare.

KITCHEN:  There is a small ‘kitchen’ where you can get drinks.

OPERATING ROOM:  There is a small operating room with sterilization equipment.  There is no gas anesthesia, ketamine and other drugs are used during surgery.

WEATHER IN GOA

From May – July it is the monsoon season but please don’t let this put you off coming at this time.  You will still do the work that is so desperately needed and learn the surgeries. Yes, it will rain, but you will be kept very busy.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

It will be with a reputable taxi company that is used by Janie all the time.

LAUNDRY

This can be done in one of the many launderettes in the town – student’s cost.

FOOD

Students can buy food from the local restaurants/café’s. The food is very cheap in Goa!

PROJECT COST

2021
Two weeks – £940
Three weeks – £1410
Four weeks – £1880

INCLUDED

Accommodation, transfers from and to the airport, two return transfers to the ARC center per working day, donation for medicine/supplies, wifi, donation for surgical equipment. Support of the vet plus the Centre staff.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights, visas, vaccinations (rabies is compulsory), excursions, extra tuk-tuk trips, luxury items eg. Cigarettes or alcohol.

PLEASE READ THROUGH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Book now