The Generositly of Others

The Elephant Nature Park  provides sanctuary for elephants, water buffalo and 60 dogs! SIXTY!
In Thailand dogs are not treated and cared for as they are here in the US. They are considered mostly an annoyance and while they are fed and sheltered, vet care is not considered necessary. Many people bring stray and unwanted dogs to the sanctuary and leave them there, assuming (correctly) that they will be cared for.
Vet care and food are costly, and flea and tick control is not only expensive, but hard to get.  And fleas run rampant there. That's why I called around to my local vet clinics and fellow dog-lovers to see what I could drum up. Was I surprised! I was able to collect over $100 in cash and nearly two months' worth of flea drops for each dog.
So that begs the question: What will happen when the two months is up and the dogs get fleas again? I think I've come up with a possible solution. There are natural and inexpensive alternatives to chemical flea control. Apple cider vinegar in a dog's water makes them more resistant to skin irritation from flea bites. Garlic cloves and yeast in their food makes their blood taste bad so fleas don't want it. And diatemaceous earth is a naturally occurring algae that kills soft-shelled insects (and it's safe -- even for elephants!) If I can get a starter supply of these things in Thailand the sanctuary may very well be able to continue a anti-flea regimen.
Thanks to Alpine Vet Hospital in Concord (54 doses), Adobe Vet in Concord, (15 doses) and Oakley Vet in Oakley (9 doses). Their generosity has not only jump started a very big project, but it has really fortified my faith in people. Times are tough all over, but some are still willing to give.