Veterinary nurse

Tasks for non-vet volunteers helping at the clinic include:

• make sure that every part of the clinic (rooms, reception, bathroom, kennels for the animals, shelves, tables, chairs, etc.) is always clean and tidy. There is cleaning staff available to do this, but they need supervision. This will be your main task. Do not forget that cleanness and tidiness are as important as medication in a clinic environment where ill animals are coming and going.
• make sure that the dogs waiting in the cages/kennels (either operation, ore recovery, or to be picked up after operation, or adoption, or for any other reason) are clean or are cleaned as soon as possible (they can't be cleaned while they are asleep, or if they are nervous, or if they are in pain, etc. )
• make sure that the dogs who happen to be closed in the cages for long hours can go out to wee and poo before they do it in the cages. If that is not possible, please make sure to clean the animals and the cages asap.
• make sure that animals that are in the cages for a long time (sometimes a couple of days, up to a week, receive food and water at the right time, are kept clean, go out when needed, etc.
• cats in a cage for a long time need a small litter box as well as a bedding. Please make sure that cats that are due to stay at the clinic for a longer time are relocated to a bigger cage with enough space for a litter box and a bed
• be always very careful with opening the animals in the cages. Most of the animals are very tame, we rarely use a muzzle to treat a dog, but they might try to run away when you open the cage. So never open more than one cage at a time, try to open the cages only after closing the door, ask for help if an animal seems willing to run away, always keep a lead at hand so that you can put it on the dog as soon as his head shows up from the kennel door. The lead is your working tool, it is your responsibility to have it ready when you need it, not to leave it around or loose it.
• make sure that there is always water in the bowls for the animals in the waiting room
• make sure that Simabo, the black and white cat that lives at the clinic, has always a clean litter box, water and food
• make sure that the bathrooms are always clean and with a clean towel, the same for the lavatory in the operating room.
• always make sure to have all you need to clean, and that everything is available at the right time
• be aware that water is at a premium in Cape Verde, so you will be asked to develop the ability to clean with as little water as possible
• be aware that our clinic is organized in a way that we need a second nurse with only on rare occasions. So your help as a nurse will be useful only after you have completed your main tasks, that is to keep the clinic clean and tidy and to take care of the animals there
• Please avoid to be distracted by nursing tasks before you have completed your specific tasks.
• The clinic is open to the public from 9 to 13 and from 16 to 19. You will be able to access it at any time to complete your tasks. There might be situations when it will be necessary for you to be there in the early morning or late in the evening, if any animal requires special care. Some animals are not left at the clinic during night, they might need to be taken to the office or to the pharmacy. Please be aware of critical situations.

We are extremely grateful to all non vet volunteers who will help at the clinic, as their contribution can make a great difference to the animals, to the people waiting with their animals and also to our staff and voluntary vets.