Sterilization Clinic #2

This month I embarked on my second sterilization clinic in Cancun Mexico in one of the poorest neighbourhoods. As many places in the world strays, overpopulation is still dense. These clinics are held for free for people who cannot afford to pay to spay/neuter their pets. Often we take time to round up some strays in the area as well and get them spayed/neutered. Only 20 dollars helps to spay or neuter an animal (cats and dogs are done at these clinics). A lot of time these are the only time a dog/cat sees a vet.

 You see all kinds of people at these clinics, people who care, people who are indifferent, even some tragic cases however getting people to come and do this for their pet is a huge step stone to reaching out to the world in better animal care and help out with the various issues that affect not only Mexico but the world.

I saw a few tragic stories, one of the stories is a reason to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets. A dog was found in the trash, barely breathing, in terrible pain with mange, paper-thin and seems it had been burned. The poor dog was brought into the clinic and resulted it being humanely euthanized, as it was too sick to survive. However this makes for a good lesson in why spay and neuter in the first place. Lots of animals are left to fend for themselves on the streets, some of them survive where a lot of them don’t. While lots of people rescue and do the best to save as many as can it is impossible to save them all. By spaying/neutering you’re not only doing good for your animals health as you are helping out with the population issue as well.

As the type of people varies that come into the clinic you see all kinds of people. However one of the ladies that I remember, she came up to me as I was taking care of one of the dogs that came out of surgery. She came to me and basically told me in Spanish she said thank you for all your hard work and all your doing, and God bless. You know all in all that you’re making a difference and that some people truly appreciate what we are doing.

Well when I was not busy helping out on the recovery table I was trying to get as many shots as possible. I truly enjoyed helping out both ways equally. Tasks included deflating tubes, removing tubes, cleaning blood from the dogs/puppies skin and by the last day I even added giving the needles to the list. Naturally any moment I had to spare it was grabbing my camera quickly to take some photos before I was needed at the recovery table again.

 I would like personally to thank RUI for the accommodations, CEO Mexico for transportation to and from the clinic and airport and also Air Transat for flying me down to be able to help out with this wonderful event once again!

Various pictures from the clinic! Our grand total for this clinic was over our goal. Total of over 1566 animals spayed and neutered. Also have to give HUGE HUGE PROPS to George Lopez and Jennifer Pryor that helped fund our clinic .


 (to view more pictures please click read more & to view larger size simply click on the photo)

 

Hulé/ CANDi fundraiser

March 17, 2012 we had a fundraiser to help and benefit CANDi international with its next sterilization clinic in Mexico. The event took place at PawsWay in Harbourfront downtown Toronto. We had lots of fun like a silent auction; we also did raffles with various items as well. Upstairs we had some vendors come in which you could purchase from them like dog cookies with Hulé name on it, there were also soy candles, cupcakes and various other goodies. Guests also got to meet Hulé, which was one of the dogs CANDi rescued back in January during a clinic in Cancun/Bonfil Mexico after being brutally attacked with a machete by her owner.

We also had various presentations and videos so people can learn more about CANDi and also the situation over in places like Mexico. The event had a little less participation then was expected but we still managed to make over $ 2, 500 for the next clinic, which will be in November.


A big thank you list is after the photos; I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone that came out and helping out. Your participation and your donations are greatly appreciated so we can continue to help many more animals.

 If you would like to learn more about CANDi please feel free to visit them at www.candiinternational.org
(To view an image larger simply click on it to see more photos click on read more!)
 

Tierra De Animales

Prior to working with CANDi international I had heard about TDA threw CANDi's fan-page. I did not know how unique and remarkable this place was until I actually visited it. During my time at the January 2012 sterilization clinic, I managed to go and visit this place for a little while one afternoon.

Unlike your typical shelters this place is unique because of its commitment to helping strays in Mexico. Most shelters have a limited number of animals they are able to take in; however this place is remarkable with its passion for helping strays and giving them a chance


(at any time to view an image original size simply click on it)



I was astonished to see how many dogs are in this actual place, well over 160 dogs. Not only do they rescue dogs they also work very hard in making sure that each one of the dogs gets adopted. Some of the dogs are even flown to locations in Canada where fellow rescue groups work on finding them a home.

These dogs, unlike how you hear stories of places that have more dogs or animals that can be cared for, they are very well cared for. The dogs are happy, well fed and have a place where they can be safe and have a start to a better life.

Ricardo Pimentel who founded this sanctuary and also lives on the premises with the dogs works hard on rescuing dogs and building a safe place for them. You can clearly see that these dogs respect him and completely love him. As we followed him around the premises showing us the space, the dogs would run after him and follow him wherever he'd go. You truly can see the difference he has made with these dogs.

Ricardo when rescuing dogs he has his priorities, if a dog looks in good condition chances are its not going to be his first choice to rescue just due to the fact probably someone is feeding those dogs and taking care of them. His priority lies in rescuing dogs that are skinny, badly hurt, or really you can see close to dying. He works hard at saving dog lives and giving them a chance that would otherwise been left to death.

The shelter is divided and there are areas for all kinds of dogs rescued, dogs that are aggressive or were used for dogfights tend to be in one area. Then there is a massive area for a lot of the dogs. Plenty of doghouses around and lots of areas including mattresses that the dogs can get up and lie on. There even is a place like a mini hospital for dogs that need to be alone to heal and get better. They have their own food bowl, water bowl and there own bed. Most of the dogs in there are needing rest, as I saw they were just lying there and only raised their head to see what was or who was there.

This place is remarkable and what Ricardo has done for these dogs is amazing and this place is still growing. Having already a huge area they were also building another area that we got to see while there and seems as there is going to be still more growth. If there were much more people like Ricardo this world would be such a different place. He is so unique, and a rare soul in this world, you can see his true heart when you visit this place. Where most people are going to movies or taking time to sleep it is not the case for him. He is there with the dogs loosing sleep as the dogs wake him up as they like to play at night and skipping or foregoing the average activities because what is important are these dogs. Ricardo is a true hero for the dogs.

If you are interested in giving donations or seeing how you can help TDA, you can visit the following links.
→ Official Website
→ Facebook Page

If you want to view more photos please click read more. Please note there are 46 pictures in total.

First Sterilization Clinic

[ at any time to view an image larger simply click on it :) ]

First off before I go into this wonderful event that I was lucky to be part of I want to thank the following C.E.O Mexico for transportation to and from the clinic, Air Transat for flying me to Cancun Mexico, CANDi International for letting me be part this wonderful event, VIDAS for their hard work in successfully spaying and neutering the animals. I also need to thank Sea Adventure & Royal/ Grand Solaris for the wonderful accommodations and at such a great price!

This past week I headed down to Cancun Mexico to help out with a free sterilization clinic in Bonfil Mexico, which ran from Jan 20-24th and this was my first time doing a clinic like this. The situation of strays in really bad in Mexico, so many dogs and cats that just don't have a place to call a home. With the average Mexican making 4 dollars a day there just is not enough funds for them to support their own family, and take care of their pets by spaying an neutering which becomes super costly. These events are free for the locals but everyone works super hard to get funds so are able to head down there to do these types of clinics. Always in need and look for donations, wither it be a towel, money, bowels,food, etc. Its was so good to see so many people that took the time and came to the clinic and are helping their pets and their own country.

The process would consist of lining up, once you registered your pet and left your info they would do an examining of the pet, check the heartbeat, listen to the lungs, check teeth and get a weight basically make sure that nothing was wrong and that it was healthy to go into surgery. Once that step was complete they would line up and wait to be called into the surgery room. Their pets then would be shaved, have the catheter put in basically all the steps required before going into surgery and being spayed or neutered. Once surgery was complete they would be moved to the recovery area where they'd be taken care of by removing tubes, cleaning ears, removing blood from belly's, removing ticks, remove the catheter, cut nails, basically get some extra pampering that in general a lot of these dogs and puppies just do not get. All the info would be recorded on a piece of paper that was on the wall. Each dog or puppy that came to the table was recorded. We also looked in finding or getting it a better collar dogs that had none were given one and ones that were in bad shape were given a brand new collar.

Once the dog or puppy was awake and doing well we would move him/her to the floor. At this time we would look for owners so they could sit with their dog(s) while the anaesthesia warn off. They were also given a dose of de-worming formula. Before taking off and heading home each person was giving a sheet of instructions and more info concerning their pet. Paper collars with info was then removed and names were crossed off the board.