Professional vets provide vaccinations, deworming and tick & flea treatments as well as sterilizations. In South Africa there are unfortunately no state run veterinary hospitals or clinics. The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) supports responsible pet ownership and understands the importance of the human animal bond. The SAVA therefore established Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC) to a
ssist disadvantaged pet owners with basic animal health care. The South African Veterinary Association Community Veterinary Clinics (SAVA CVC) is a project where private veterinarians donate their time and skills to render primary veterinary services to disadvantaged communities or those who have no access to veterinary services. Our main activity is primary health care: vaccinations, parasite control and sterilisations. We also put a lot of emphasis on educating pet owners about basic care of their pets: general health, prevention of dog bites, nutrition, training, etc. Our booklet "Your best Friend" is available in 7 official languages (English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, isiZulu, Setswana, Xhosa and Tsonga). These booklets are distributed countrywide, as we hope to reach as many people as possible. CVC involvement is intended to address needs expressed by the community. We are not in favour of going into communities and insisting on performing procedures and treatments on peoples' pets regardless of whether the owners agrees with what needs to be done, or has given consent for the procedures. This is not SAVA CVC's mandate or policy. The CVC clinics must take a long term, sustainable approach, ensuring the community's understanding, acceptance and co-operation care. Seldom is there immediate co-operation on all aspects. However, with time and patience, most communities come to value our services, and will accept all aspects, including sterilisation. All CVC workers assist at the clinics on a voluntary basis. We try to involve the community as much as possible and to establish partners instead of charities within communities. We believe in the importance of growing and sustaining partnerships with communities. The SAVA CVC plays a vital role in community development. To be relevant in a country with such overwhelming human need, animal welfare should have a humanitarian impact. It is a long-established fact that there is a direct relationship between animal cruelty and violence within communities. Access to basic veterinary services and humane education of children creates empathy for others, through the fostering of respect for life, creating a culture of caring and empathy for all beings. This is a vital ingredient in the building of a nation.
