As many of you know, Dr. Heather and I travel to Belize twice a year to volunteer at Saga Humane Society. Dr. Heather was first introduced to Saga 6 years ago now, which is crazy to think we’ve been so many times! Although we are used to the differences between Glanbrook and Saga now, I thought I could share some more details about them. Whenever I return home from Saga, I am reminded of how lucky both us and our pets are. At Glanbrook we are very fortunate to have many tools available to us, whenever we need them. Our patients are able to have almost any treatment done in our clinic, without having to go elsewhere. We have in-house lab equipment, ultrasound, x-rays, sturdy working kennels, and even air conditioning!
Now in San Pedro, Belize…. When we have a patient that is needing any of the above, these are all the steps that need to be taken.
For bloodwork we first need to take the blood sample. We use whatever size syringe/needles that Ingrid (the AMAZING technician at Saga) has in stock at the time. Once the sample has been taken, Ingrid packages it in a cardboard box. It is then driven to the airport via golf cart, to be sent over to Belize City (approx 20 minute plane ride). Once it has travelled over the ocean, it is driven to the lab where it is run. The results are then emailed to Ingrid when completed. This usually takes 12-24 hours. At Glanbrook, we take the sample, and take about 15 steps to our complete in-house lab.
When a patient is needing ultrasound or x-rays at Saga, we hop in the back of the Saga golf cart WITH our patient (yes even with large dogs!). We then travel about 20 minutes to the only human imaging facility on the island of San Pedro. We wait our turn, restrain our patients for the images to be taken, then have to wait for them to develop. Once we are happy with the images, we hop back in the golf cart and head back to Saga. To evaluate the x-rays, we hold up the x-ray film to the ceiling fan light in the office. At Glanbrook, we snap the views needed and they show up on the computer screen within seconds.
Saga usually has around 30-40 dogs and 50-60 cats in their care at all times. They are either staying at Saga because they are sick and are being treated, or they are waiting to be adopted. Either way, the typical kennel in Saga is usually an old rusty wire crate or a plastic crate held together with zip ties. Most of the kennels do not have a functioning door or lock. Unfortunately crates are VERY expensive in Belize, and they have to use what they have available to them. At Glanbrook, your pets are housed in stainless steel kennels, with working latches and hinges.
Now imagine Belize…. 25-30 degree weather, sun is always out. Then imagine Saga, dog crates stacked one on top of another, a busy waiting room full of clients and pets. Then imagine how warm it must be, as they only have access to 1 wall air conditioning unit for the whole shelter. It just shows how something we never even think twice about in Canada, is a daily struggle at Saga.
My first time at Saga was truly shocking seeing how they manage to complete tasks that we don’t even think about here. And the dedicated team at Saga does it everyday without a complaint. If you are interested in learning more about Saga Humane Society, you can find them on Facebook, or visit their website www.sagahumanesociety.com. Just a little reminder that we should be SO grateful for what we have available for our fur babies.
