AZEVN 2018 WVI Charity Project

African Painted Dogs

For the 2018 AZEVN Conference at West Midlands Safari Park on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd June 2018, the AZEVN continued in our support of Wildlife Vets International (WVI).

For the first time, the AZEVN gave our members the opportunity to vote for the WVI Project that they would like any raised funds to be donated towards and after a very close vote in January 2018, the winner was the African Painted Dogs Project, based in Zimbabwe.

At the 2018 AZEVN Conference, the grand total of £239.10 was raised for the WVI African Painted Dogs Project why not have a read below on exactly how our funds will help this fantastic project?

Ensuring the Survival of an African Icon
‘With less than 3,000 left, one of the rarest species in Africa the African Painted Dog is in real danger of extinction.’

The Painted dog has already disappeared from much of its original territory in Zimbabwe due to conflict with man, infectious disease and the destruction of its habitat.

By providing treatment for injured and sick painted dogs and vaccinating local domestic dogs, the WVI is helping the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) to save the species by reducing the disease risk to both animals and humans.

<p>Since 2013, the AZEVN has raised a fantastic total of <strong>£1201</strong> for WVI and thank you to all of our AZEVN Members who have helped us in this brilliant cause.</p>

Our Donation

Since 2013, the AZEVN has raised a fantastic total of £1201 for WVI and thank you to all of our AZEVN Members who have helped us in this brilliant cause.

How will our AZEVN Funds help?

With the support of funds from the AZEVN during the summer of 2018, Wildlife Vets International (WVI) will be sourcing vaccines to vaccinate 2000 dogs in the Dete area; the community lands bordering Hwange National Park by the Main Gate. Painted Dog Conservation will be organising the clinics and Dr Dube, the regional head of the state veterinary department, will be overseeing the vaccinations.

In the summer of 2019, WVI will continue this project by supporting a veterinary team to accompany a similar vaccination clinic.
The team will set up a neutering and minor injuries clinic alongside the vaccinations and the clinics aim to achieve an increase in domestic and wild dog welfare through the following:

  • Vaccinate close to 2000 dogs to ensure 70% coverage in the area, against rabies and canine distemper in particular.
  • Treat the domestic dogs against ticks to reduce the probability of tick bourne disease
  • Neutering will reduce the transmission of Transmissible Venereal Tumours as well producing a change in behaviour – stopping dogs from running off and becoming very thin.
  • Provide an opportunity for dog owners to see someone with veterinary knowledge as there is little veterinary provision in the area if they could afford it.
  • Provide an opportunity for the PDC/WVI team to talk about disease transmission – between people/domestic animals/wildlife – how it can affect individuals and what they can do about it.
  • Provide an opportunity for PDC to help the communities they work with to promote wildlife (painted dogs in particular) conservation and PDCs work.
  • Reduce the risk of rabies in the human population. Note: it is historically very low but there was a painted dog pack that came into the area with rabies just before Christmas 2017.
  • Provide training for 2 vet students – ideally from Zimbabwe but possibly international students who would pay their way and make a contribution towards the clinic costs.