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Field Spay/Neuter Techniques Veterinary Training Workshops

The Field Spay/Neuter techniques training workshop was developed by SPCA Selangor, Malaysia and Yudisthira – Bali Street Dog Foundation to cultivate indigenous training and capacity building for veterinarians working at the SPCA Selangor..

The program is a direct result of grassroots organizations working together to improve the welfare of the owned dogs as well as the community and feral dog populations that both foundations seek to stabilize in their respective countries.  Through this process, opportunity presents itself for veterinarians to share their knowledge and improve their veterinary skills and introduce new concepts for population control and management.

Since 1999 Yudisthira has been a pioneer in Asia for Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) spay neuter programs, working throughout Bali treating and desexing over 14,000 dogs in 2003 alone.  Dawn Peacock, Animal Welfare Consultant for the SPCA in Selangor, Malaysia, has spent several months over the past years volunteering with Yudisthira working in their Field Clinic and Mobile Clinic Street programs.  When Dawn took up the opportunity to volunteer with the SPCA Selangor she immediately saw the opportunity to share her knowledge of the Yudisthira work with the SPCA vets. “With new protocols for spay neuter and early age neutering being introduced to SPCA, as a new standard for all dogs and puppies who are rehomed from the shelter, we aim to be able to significantly reduce the number of unwanted strays in Malaysia, as part of our programme for a "Stray Free Malaysia 2010”, says Dawn.

What is so impressive about the spay/neuter clinics is that they are designed to do an incredible amount of triage work, with simple organization and minimum veterinary supplies. The program is transportable moving from village to village using a M*A*S*H style surgery theatre modeled after the WWII MASH style units used to save the lives of 1,000’s of soldiers injured in battle.  The model is a template for spay/neuter and triage care. It is very straight forward and has been tested for 5 years with dogs that are treated in situ and released hours after the surgery back to the location where they were found, or to a villager.  This template is designed to be adapted for other indigenous situations.  The TNR program in part or in its entirety is particularly suitable for islands and Island Nations in emerging and developing countries that are trying to cope with community and stray dog over population, limited resources and veterinary facilities.

• Week 1:  Dr. Lim, 17 years working with the SPCA Selangor, Malaysia is the first veterinarian to come to Bali. Click here for an excerpt from her diary and pictures of her experience in the Field Clinic.

• Week 2:  Dr Natasha arrived in Bali, and hit the ground running.

• Week 3: Dr. Cheng speaks of her experiences.

• Week 4: Dr. Zul and Dr. Noryhati