About Dr Alan Emerton and the Cycle Tour

Dr Alan Emerton, Senior veterinarian at  The People’s Dispensary For Sick Animals – PDSA (SA) has been a part of the PDSA since 1998.  His passion for animals and for cycling has come together in a once in a lifetime opportunity – he has decided to combine these two passions by participating in the journey of a life-time, the TOUR D’ AFRIQUE.  This cycling tour – from CAIRO TO CAPE starts on 14^th of January 2012 fromCairo toCape Town.  Amazingly, the starting point isEgypt where the only other PDSA inAfrica is positioned. 

 The Tour d’Afrique is a 12 000km, four month cycle tour which will include various African destinations like, Egypt/Sudan/Ethiopia/Kenya/Tanzania/Malawi/Zambia/Botwana/Namibia and finally South Afirca on 12^th May.  The PDSA is a non profit organisation concentrating on the primary health care of domestic animals and cart horses.  We do not receive any government funding and Dr Emerton through this tour, plans to raise money and awareness for PDSA (SA). The money raised will enable the PDSA in acquiring much needed surgical equipment and supplies in order t continue offering the quality service that we do, to our poorer communities nationally.

 As mentioned the PDSA is a welfare organisation focused on providing treatment and care to sick and injured animals, from owners in our communities, who are not able to afford the services of a private vet. We have three hospitals situated in George,Cape Townand inSoweto;   we have three satellite clinics situated in Athlone, Mitchell’s Plain and Pimville. Our nine mobile units reach 75 poorer communities that would otherwise not have access to any other welfare veterinary healthcare service.

A comment from our Dr Emerton:

“I am always happiest on my bike and a number of years ago, while driving through Namibia in a vehicle on some remote dirt track, I mentioned to a friend that I wish I could rather be on my bike. His reply was “ Tour d’Afrique”. So here I am.  I live in Cape Town so finishing the TDA here will make it extra special for me as well.  I will most probably be one of the older contestants at 60 but still feel extremely young and am looking to a few challenges from the younger riders. Even though I have had this TDA in mind for a number of years I made a last minute decision to enter which has made it very exciting, as everything is suddenly happening at an incredible pace. I will be raising funds for The People’s Dispensary For Sick Animals, PDSA (SA).  I know this is going to be a journey, both outward and inward, that I will never forget.”