2003
Rosie Carrandi of Amigos de los Animales (AdlA) and the Mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Pedro Ruiz placed the first stone for the new animal shelter and clinic (Centro de Acopio) which is scheduled to open in June, 2003. We are busy keeping after the government officials to make this a reality as this is a joint effort between the government and the ecology group (which AdlA is a major part of and very instrumental in pushing hard to make this happen).
We are so busy trying to help the local animals as they are the forgotten
ones after the recent devastation of the hurricane which hit PV very hard.
So many animals lost their lives (many of the cats at Los Tules and elsewhere),
all the animals trapped in cages at resorts along the beach, and many were
displaced due to homes lost.
This of course is on top of an animal situation which was already in dire
need. The extreme problems in Mismaloya and elsewhere with animals is heartbreaking
and we have NO volunteer vets coming down this year (guess the economy in
the states and other areas has taken its toll on volunteering and vacationing).
We are doing the best we can, but we need help to get the clinic and shelter
equipped once it is built and get some funds to pay the local vets to help
with spaying and medical care, food and medicines for street dogs and perhaps
find some foreign vets who are willing to come down and volunteer.
I am attaching the scans of the two newspaper articles of Rosie placing the
first stone of the new shelter/clinic (Centro de Acopio). This is a real milestone
for PV as we have been working on this project for many years and it is truly
an important breakthrough.
We are proud to report in Ixtapa, Mexico the following procedures performed from Feb. 11 through Feb. 15, 2003:
Sterilizations
for 54 dogs and cats:
24 dogs - 6 neuters & 18 spays
30 cats - 6 neuters & 24 spays
Performed 1 tumor surgery and 1 ear surgery plus numerous consultations. We also gave away many flea and tick products, leashes and assistance.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Cesar Zamora and his staff who gave us a discounted cost for their services as we were unable to find volunteer vets to help so far in 2003.
We are in great need of many supplies including leashes & collars and of course any donations of money or supplies or veterinarian assistance will enable us to continue our important work to help many needy animals.
Amigos de los Animales is also working very hard with the local government in Puerto Vallarta to build the very first shelter/clinic. The land has already been set aside and architectural plans drawn. Approximately one fourth of the total cost will be funded by the government. The remainder will have to come from private parties. In the meantime the local government and Amigos de los Animales are trying to set up a temporary shelter as this is an urgent situation in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas.
We now have the key to the temporary shelter in Las Juntas and went over last
Sunday to start cleaning the place and figure out where to build runs, etc.
This really gives us some hope. Now we need to come up with the money to erect
the runs and get the place in a little better shape.
We have decided to devote one of the two large rooms just for cats and hope to be able to get some regular (perhaps used) furniture in there for them so they will feel more like they are living in a home-like setting.
It is our feeling that this is important if these cats are ever going to be adopted into a normal home.
We realize we don't have much to work with, but are thrilled that at least we have something to offer the animals. We will do the best we can.
Click photo to enlarge
