2014
MID-YEAR
REPORT
(JANUARY – JUNE 2014)
Background.
The BIG FIX Uganda was organized in 2012 and is now a NGO registered in Uganda
and also a continuing project of the Central Valley Coalition for Animals, an IRC 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization in the U.S.A. The purposes of The BIG FIX Uganda are to alleviate
the suffering of animals, to improve the health and welfare of animals and people, and to
promote good human-animal bonds. To carry out this mission, The BIG FIX Uganda has
focused on: (1) Animal Birth Control through surgical sterilization; (2) Animal Health and
Wellness through free veterinary care; and (3) Animal Welfare Education with the goal of
developing human-animal connections. The activities carried out during 2012 and 2013
included sensitization and education (through school outreach, village education classes
and radio broadcasts) and the providing of comprehensive free veterinary services. From
inception of the organization through the end of 2013, these activities were carried out at
set times with teams of participants traveling to Gulu. The organization acquired a lease on
a house to serve as our staff housing and clinic in Pece Division, Gulu town, in June 2013. In
order to become more cost effective, to provide continuity, and to better meet the
overwhelming demand for its services, The BIG FIX Uganda transitioned to full-time
operation in Gulu beginning January 2014 with a veterinary surgeon (serving on rotation)
and a humane officer as full time staff and services provided on an ongoing basis. By the
end of 2013, we had treated 8,375 animals, performed 989 surgeries, held 62 field clinics
and presented our education program to 36 schools, reaching over 30,000 students.
Transition to Full Time Operation in Gulu.
Funding from Humane Society International and a private donor enabled us to
obtain two Dura XL motorbikes in January 2014. These motorbikes have been our sole
means of transportation and have enabled us to carry our vet surgeon, humane officer, two
vet assistants and our portable field clinic and supplies to remote villages which could not
have been accessed by a motor vehicle.
Since mid-January, we have had one veterinary surgeon and one humane officer as
full time staff in Gulu. We obtained a post office box, a U.S. Dollar bank account and work
permits from the Uganda Revenue Authority which allow us to carry on full time activities
in Gulu. We are also working with the full permission and cooperation of all local, county
and district officials. Our full time staff members have included Dr. Moses Migadde, Dr.
Robert Omara, Dr. Wilfred Opira and Mr. Remmy Mukulu. Our veterinary assistants,
serving on rotation, have been provided by the office of the Gulu District Veterinary Officer.
Animal Health and Wellness.
 42 field clinics were held and 1
special event (World Spay Day)
during which free services
(vaccinations against rabies and
parvo virus, de-worming, flea and
tick treatment, spay/neuter and
other needed surgeries) and
animal care/welfare education
were provided.
 A total of 4,428 animals were seen and treated at the village clinics.
 555 dogs and cats were surgically sterilized and 34 other surgical procedures
were performed.
 We acquired a sponsor and a source which now avail us of the use of
vincristine sulfate, a highly effective chemotherapy drug, to treat
transmissible venereal tumors in dogs.
 Initiated Uganda’s first trap-neuter-return program for feral cats in Gulu
Municipality.
 Our World Spay Day event in
Gulu resulted in the
spay/neuter of 67 companion
animals and received media
coverage from every outlet in
Northern Uganda.
 We conducted field clinics in
Kasese District in June which
reached 708 animals including
dogs, cats, goats and sheep
and involved more than 20 volunteers and local leaders in the Bwera area.
Animal Welfare Education.
 Our team visited 32 schools and reached 19,655 students with our animal
welfare education program.
 We received a grant from The Pollination Project to produce Uganda’s first
children’s book in Lua and English, and completed pre-production work on
Adongpiny & Tampira: Best Friends Forever, scheduled to be published and
ready for distribution by early September.
 We have formed 29 Animal Kindness Clubs in schools and villages throughout
Gulu District, engaging children interested in animals in activities to promote
the human-animal bond and to empower them to be advocates for the
animals.
 We now have more than 20 villages participating in our Village Ambassador
program which empowers Big Fix ambassadors to educate others concerning
animal health, wellness and grooming and to promote their humane
treatment.
Support and Development.
 The BIG FIX Uganda received donations of supplies and equipment from
Providence Health International, Global Links, Worldwide Veterinary Services,
and Project V.E.T.S.
 Humane Society International granted scholarships to Animal Expo 2014 and
internships at Northwest Spay/Neuter Center to Dr. Robert Omara and Dr.
Moses Migadde. Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy refused to grant visas our
team members so that they could take advantage of this opportunity.
 A private donor provided continuing support to Dr. Wilfred Opira to enable
him to complete the first year of Makarere University’s Masters program in
veterinary medicine.
 A textbook and resource drive was commenced to gather materials for our
veterinary/animal rights library and reference center.
The Comfort Dog Project.
In June, The BIG FIX Uganda team was joined by
Francis Okello Oloya, a graduate of Makarere
University’s Community Psychology program. Francis is
volunteering as director of The Comfort Dog Project, a
program integrating the companionship of dogs to help
war survivors in Northern Uganda to heal from their
psychological wounds. There has been an absence of
psycho-social services available to the many people who
suffered during the atrocities of the 20 year war in this
region, including war veterans, young people who were
abducted and forced to serve as child soldiers and
victims of rape. The program will include community sensitization concerning posttraumatic stress disorder, personal intervention and counseling, and the involvement of
dog companionship as an integral part of the rehabilitation effort. The BIG FIX Uganda is
seeking funding for the project, including the provision of a salary for Francis in his role as
director and counselor.
Further Goals.
Commencing July 1, our monthly goals are:


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8 village field clinic days per month;
Weekly TNR of feral cats;
6 school visits per month;
8 days per month conducting activities with Animal Kindness Clubs and Village
Ambassadors;
 Participate in a weekly radio talk show concerning animal issues;
 Hold clinic hours at our facility in Gulu one day per week.
Our longer term goals are:
 Develop a training conference for our club leaders in January 2015.
 Search for a plot of land and acquire funding for it to work toward our long
range goal of building Uganda’s first free veterinary hospital, an education
center and housing for hospital patients.
 Secure a grant to build a small veterinary laboratory. (The closest laboratory
is located 6 hours away from Gulu.)
 Obtain additional education and training opportunities for our team
members.
 Develop support for The Comfort Dog Project so that the maximum number
of people suffering from PTSD in the region can benefit from animal-assisted
therapy.