…situation is a serious health risk – GSPCA

OFFICIALS of the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) clinic are

engaging the Georgetown municipality on several issues including city vendors, whose stalls have almost blocked access to the body’s Robb Street office.

Recently, the GSPCA publicly expressed disgust at the situation involving vendors, whose stalls along Robb Street near the Bourda Market as well as those aback the clinic’s back entrances have blocked access to the area.
On Saturday, officials of the GSPCA told this newspaper that the society met with officials of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and the issue is being addressed. It was noted that the issue has been a bother for years.

“Over the years, we have had several run-ins with vendors taking over the exterior gates, parapets and even the fence of the clinic and while slow to move, the M&CC constables have at least assisted to keep the tide of filth at bay,” the GSPCA said on its Facebook page recently .

However, the GSPCA said that in 2016, assistance from the council in managing the vendors who operate nearby has “been non- existent.” The body said that it has been over-run to the extent than it can no longer even access the back gates of its clinic and the garage to park the clinic’s vehicle. To compound matters, a portable toilet was placed outside the clinic’s gates.

According to the GSPCA, there also exists an environmental problem. The clinic has limited access to the drains and since it cannot be cleaned, the flooding of the clinic environs has increased, placing staff and animals at risk of contracting health-related illnesses.
“We now are asking persons to share this album in the hopes that the relevant persons take notice and maybe render some assistance,” the clinic said, regarding several pictures which were taken of the vending area outside its gates.

The GSPCA, which has been in existence for decades, provides low-cost health care to pet owners, educates the public on responsible care and treatment of pets and it also provides shelter for unwanted animals.
It also provides humane euthanasia to injured and sick animals, both within and outside the clinic and it advocates spaying and neutering to control the pet population and reduce instances of unwanted animals being strayed.