|
July
3, 2011 - 35 animals were sterilized today We sterilized 24 dogs and 11 cats. Of the dogs, 16 were female and 8 were male. Of the cats, 8 were female and 3 were male. I am very pleased with the number of animals we sterilized today. Even so, we could have done more; we had seven "no shows" - people who had appointments who did not bother to call and cancel. Thanks very much to Anne and Gordon Bakke, who brought a mother dog and her three puppies and paid for them to be sterilized. The dogs live hear Anne and Gordon and they had been feeding them. The sweet mama dog had had two litters within 8 months. Anne and Gordon are still working on their Spanish, so when they mentioned that they'd like to get the dogs sterilized, I went and talked with the owner. I told her she would not have to pay anything, and she agreed that Anne and Gordon could take the dogs to the clinic. Such a deal: no-cost sterilization for the owner, plus free pick up and delivery of her dogs. But we are all very happy that the dogs have been sterilized and they will now be healthy and happy. Big thanks to Dorreene and Richard Reynolds from Paso Ancho. They have also been feeding and caring for neighborhood dogs, and they brought two to be sterilized and paid for them. They plan to bring two more to the next clinic. I hope that more people like the Bakkes and the Reynolds realize that feeding dogs without having them sterilized only adds to the overpopulation problem. Without sterilization, more and more dogs will be born. Many will die early, and some will experience longer lives with much loneliness and suffering. Remember: 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. People frequently tell me what a positive influence our clinics have made for the community. In the past, the starving, diseased, mange-ridden dogs roaming the streets created a disturbing and negative impression - both for people living here and people considering moving here. Now we seldom see one of these sad dogs on the street. However, while many people appreciate the results, it apparently does not occur to the majority to help. It's easy to to let someone else do the work and finance the clinics, but remember: if the clinics were to cease, soon there would again be an abundance of starving, diseased dogs roaming the street. I truly believe the quote by Albert Schweitzer: "Until he extends the circle of compassion to every living thing, man will not himself find peace." It's disappointing that so few people get involved with the clinics - whether to volunteer, contribute food, or donate funds. It is also a not-so-positive commentary about our community that the majority of donations are made by people who don't even live here. (See income and expenses listed below.) The dedicated group that we do have not only volunteer their time, they also often contribute food and/or money for the clinics. I hope that more local people will step up to the plate. If enough people will donate just $25 per month, that will go a long way toward helping finance the clinics - and perhaps eventually help me recoup some of the approximate $4,000 that I've already spent from my own pocket for the clinics. A link for donations through PayPal is below. However, if you donate via PayPal, it often takes a long time for the funds to reach me. (See income and expenses below.) If you are local to Panama, please consider donating directly to me. If you're not able to donate in person, I can give you information about how to deposit to my bank account. Thank you! Please donate! Your PayPal tax-deductible donations for Chiriqui go through Spay Panama's Animals YES in the USA and are eventually forwrded to me. Please send me an email if you donate by PayPal so I can thank you personally! Donors and amounts are reported on my web page for each clinic. Income and expenses are listed on each clinic web page. Thank you for your help! Your contribution helps make Spay/Panama-Chiriqui services possible. PLEASE BE AWARE that if you donate through PayPal, I cannot credit your donation on my web page until I actually receive the funds. If you have donated through PayPal and your donation has not been credited on my web page, please contact me. Anyone who is local to Volcan, PLEASE talk with your friends and neighbors, explain the importance of proper sterilization and tell them about our clinics. My goal is to sterilize at least 30 animals during each clinic. Our next clinic will be on August 21, 2011. MANY thanks to our wonderful volunteers and contributors. Without their help and dedication, this important work simply could not be done. And - I am in heaven! Mary Ann White, fairly new to Volcan and a brand new volunteer at the clinics, took the blankets and dishes home from the clinic to wash! This is the first time that anyone has done that and I am very grateful! (The animals lie on blankets while recovering from surgery; and I bought dishes and silverware to use rather than having to add even more trash to the landfills.)
At this July 3, 2011 clinic, we sterilized 24 dogs and 11 cats. With my average cost of $22 per dog and $11 per cat, expenses were $649 plus $100 for building rent, for a total of $749. With contributions of $854.30, there was a positive cash flow of $105.30. Therefore, my accumulated deficit is reduced to $3,885.69. (I began the clinics in March of 2006 but it didn't occur to me to keep financial records until October of 2006.) I very much appreciate any and all contributions. They are welcome and needed!
Here in Volcan, our small group has been responsible for sterilizing 1,304 animals to date. Added to the 129 animals that Spay/Panama (from Panama City) sterilized in in Volcan in February of 2005, we have sterilized 1,433 dogs and cats! There are many more to go, but we are making progress! Our goal is to sterilize at least 75% of the dogs and cats in the Volcan area, and thus almost completely solve the problem of homeless dogs and cats, and the terrible venereal disease suffered by so many dogs. Thanks to everyone who participated in our clinics today, and to those who had their pets sterilized. Always remember that TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Dorothy
Atwater - 6780-2565 or viajar2566@yahoo.com Back to Clinics Page Back to HOME PAGE |
Jacky Suñe handled registration.