There is no charge but owners are asked to make a donation of whatever they can afford (minimum $5 - about £1 - per animal) to cover costs. The vets come from all over the world, the ones in our pictures are from the UK. They pay their own air fare and receive free bed and board but nothing else.

These flew in from England on Friday afternoon, set up their equipment on Saturday morning and were operating from mid-day until gone 6 pm without a break apart from a quick snack.

The facilities are primitive compared with those in more developed countries but the island dogs and cats are hardy. Soluble stitches, a shot of antibiotic and home the same evening or next day. Post-op infections virtually never happen and the animals recover quickly.

Funds are desperately needed to run the clinics, publicise them and provide for the other work of SLAPS - rescuing, caring for and re-homing stray animals and raising public awareness in how to care for pet animals. If anyone would like to make a donation, email me and I'll tell you how you can do it.