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(Para la versión en español
"Until
he extends the circle of his compassion to all
living things, man will not himself find peace."
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(Para la versión en español
"Until
he extends the circle of his compassion to all
living things, man will not himself find peace."
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Welcome to the web site of Spay Panama-Chiriqui
At age 63 I found my life's purpose!
I moved to Volcán, Chiriqui, Panama in 2004 where I saw dozens of suffering dogs roaming the streets, starving and mange-ridden, yet still able to procreate. It broke my heart but I didn't know how to help them.
But then in 2005 I had the opportunity to meet Patricia Chan, Director of Spay Panama, an NGO in Panama City when their group was in Volcán to perform an offsite large sterilization event.
With Patricia Chan's encouragement, I decided to start low-cost spay/neuter clinics of my own in Volcán.
Panama City is a seven-hour drive from Volcán. I began several trips to the Spay Panama clinics. After extensive training, in March of 2006 I began my Spay Panama-Chiriqui clinics in Volcán, legally sanctioned by Spay Panama.
I ran my clinics
in a very professional manner. People who contribute deserve to
know how the money is spent so they know that the organizer is
not personally benefiting financially from their donations. I
published a financial statement every month--income versus
expenses with a running net amount, either negative or positive.
(Most often negative from my pocket.) And the web page I created
each month also listed the number dogs and cats sterilized that
day and the number of each sex, with a running total on each web
page. I also included pictures of clients, animals, and the
volunteers. (At the end of this narrative, on the left you will
see a link for every clinic, 163 total, in which we sterilized
6,614 dogs and cats.)
I organized and
hosted my Spay Panama-Chiriqui clinics almost single handed for
17 years except for volunteers on clinic days, and largely
financed from my own pocket, I am very proud of how well
organized my clinics were. I had every intention to continue as
long as I had a breath, but after 17 years of dedicated service,
at age 82, I experienced a tragic event--not of my doing--which
caused the abrupt halt of my clinics. To read about the
heart-rending event, click HERE.
(Click on the first picture to begin viewing the narrative for
each one.)
After six months, I had finally been able to grieve and to heal the debilitating depression, trauma, and shock. Although my Spay Panama-Chiriqui clinics no longer exist, I continue to work for the animals in many other ways: rescuing dogs; helping people with their animal's injuries or illnesses; providing dog food for people who need it and for homeless dogs. Any way that I can be of help. And please join my WhatsApp group, Volcan Animal Advocates.
I do have many happy memories. I and my group of volunteers always experienced camaraderie, laughter, and joy while we helped the animals. Here is a video of a happy milestone! For my 100th clinic (of 163), I planned and executed a SURPRISE CELEBRATION for Dr. Andrés Tello, who had been my veterinarian from the beginning. I paid a local business to prepare a huge banner, which Dr. Tello saw as soon as he arrived. He was surprised! And so was I! Then after I gave him a certificate of appreciation, the volunteers presented an almost identical one to me!
Interestingly,
there would possibly never have been any sterilization clinics
in Volcán without my efforts. The local people had never
considered such a thing as spaying or neutering their pets. For
months, I walked the streets of Volcán, knocking on doors,
handing out literature about the benefits of sterilization, and
trying to schedule appointments for their animals. I also posted
60 notices about the clinics each month all around town. It took
a few years, but eventually my clinics were full every month
with a waiting list. Work for the animals had truly become my
life's purpose! And it still is!
Links
to Each of My May 2,
2017-Possible Prison Why and How This Program Began in Volcan Standing invitation to local vets in various areas Spay/USA - lots of good information here Injectable
Vitamin C:
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By Dorothy Atwater, Volcan,
Chiriqui, Panama: Here in the highlands of Panama, in March of 2006 I began a mission to end the suffering of dogs and cats - often homeless, starving, and diseased - and to help educate people that their pets have feelings and need love, proper food, shelter, and water. I primarily provided low-cost spaying and neutering to the less advantaged Panamanians. And no one was turned away for inability to pay the very low costs requested. My costs of the surgeries included injections for the anesthesia, for pain, inflammation, anti-parasite, a long-lasting antibiotic, vitamin B-12, and treatment for fleas and ticks--plus payment to my excellent veterinarian. In addition to the overpopulation problem, venereal disease is rampant in both male and female dogs in Panama. It is eventually fatal to both males and females. It is spread every time an infected male or female has sex. You usually won't know if your male or female dog has the disease until it reaches the advanced stage. At advanced stages, if you are paying close attention, you may notice some bleeding from the vagina of a female dog (which may be misinterpreted as being in heat)...or bleeding from the male dog's penis. The tumors can be surgically removed but can be done successfully only by a SKILLED vet like Dr. Andres Tello from Costa Rica who operated at my clinics. (There was no licensed small-animal veterinarian in the entire area then--and after 19 years, there still isn't.) I announced to everyone: Please keep in mind: In 7 years a female cat and her off springs can be the source of 420,000 kittens. In 6 years a female dog and her off springs can be the source of 67,000 puppies. Unless your dog/cat is totally confined and unable to continue the population increase (AND the spread of venereal disease), please do the humane thing of having them sterilized! For the health and safety of your dog/cat, however, have the sterilization performed by a competent vet who is experienced in early sterilization (eight weeks of age and up) and small-incision surgeries, and one who closes with stainless steel sutures....like Dr. Tello, who I was so fortunate to have operate at my clinics. I rented the building for the clinics, and I bought all the anesthesia, medications, instruments, supplies, and equipment. I had no offices, no salaries, no advertising. Every penny went for the animals. This was a project from my heart, and I paid the considerable deficits from my own pocket.
Dorothy Atwater
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