A new progamme released in Sal in February 2009 to protect street animals. Unfortunately, as is the case in many “Up & Coming” destinations such as Cape Verde, where the government focus is to improve standard of living for the indigenous population, funding is rarely available for animals.

Up until now, controlling the numbers of street dogs and cats has been achieved through Strychnine poisoning, a very cost effective but not particularly humane method, which sometimes claims domestic pets as victims as well. After several members of the community met together locally, a petition was raised and signed by many nationalities, including Cape Verdeans, and taken to the Mayor and Minister of the Environment in Sal in order to introduce some more humane animal control methods.

The results of the meeting are the local government intends to action the following:

* To provide funding for a responsible programme of neutering
* To ban the use of poison for animal population control, including heavy fines for anyone caught poisoning animals
* To provide land to construct an animal sanctuary

Sal Animal Rescue is currently sourcing approximately 4 vets and the medical equipment required for the neutering as well as standard pet products such as flea powder, eye/ear drops, anti-biotics etc.

If you are interested in the programme, or are visiting Sal and wish to donate medicines or financially to the project, contact Jackie Costello at jaqqi@hotmail.com