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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."
|
|
Welcome to the web site of Spay/Panamá-Chiriquí
Together we can make a difference!
Please watch this movie "In Hope." It will make you cry!
The Panama News article about Spay/Panama Our Sterilization Clinics in Volcan Standing invitation to local vets Spay/USA - lots of good information here
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By Dorothy Atwater, Volcán, Chiriquí, Panama: Effective August 6, 2006, I was appointed by Pat Chan of Spay/Panama as the Chiriquí branch of Spay/Panama. Here in the highlands of Panamá, along with a few helpful volunteers, we had already begun work toward the sterilization of dogs and cats. The goal is to end the suffering of these poor animals - often homeless, starving, and disease-ridden. But with the help of Pat Chan and Spay/Panama, we can progress faster and more efficiently. How all this came about: I moved to Volcán, Chiriquí, Panamá toward the end of 2004. When I began to notice the tragic life of many dogs and cats here - homeless, starving, diseased, and the females nothing but puppy mills who constantly produce more and more homeless litters - I felt angry and sad. Yet I also felt helpless to do anything about the problem other than to rescue and adopt a few homeless dogs myself. So far, I have rescued and adopted nine "street dogs." However, adoptions (or euthanasia) can never keep up with the number of births. Plus, in the interior of Panamá, even after people adopt dogs or cats, there remains the problem of obtaining competent medical care for them. I had several horrible experiences with vets both here in Volcán and in the larger town of David (about 45 minutes away from Volcán). But good news! In February of 2005, I met Pat Chan, founder of Spay/Panama, when she brought her team of vets to Volcán for a week-end sterilization blitz. During those two days, they sterilized 129 dogs/cats. Meeting Pat Chan that week end was the beginning of a dear and continuing friendship. I have a deep admiration for Pat's tireless work (and the use of much of her own funds) to reduce the suffering of dogs and cats in Panamá through competent sterilization. I have spent extended periods at the Spay/Panama clinic, so I have first-hand knowledge of the dedication and hard work by Pat Chan and her vets and volunteers. Since inception in 2002, as of March 24, 2007, they have sterilized 10,447 dogs and cats! (Please see the Spay/Panama web site for continuing up-to-date figures.) Their mortality rates are 0.0022, despite the fact that many of the animals are in poor health to begin with. Pat regularly sends her vets to the U.S. to train in the safest and most advanced methods. People are welcome to visit her clinic in Panamá City, and I guarantee that anyone who visits on a sterilization day will be in AWE at the dedication, skill, and organization of these wonderful vets and volunteers. Here in Volcán we are now having monthly sterilization clinics performed by our wonderful and dedicated veterinarian, Dr. Andres Tello who travels here from Costa Rica. He is experienced in quick-spay techniques and pediatric spay/neutering....and bar none, he is the best vet I have ever known....including from the US. We wish that the local vets would commit to gaining this knowledge and expertise, but so far, none have been interested.. Pat Chan has a standing invitation for any veterinarians to attend one (or more) of Spay/Panama's sterilization clinics and receive free training. She even provides free room and board for those who care to attend and learn. As we gain success with the over-population of animals in Volcán, we will branch out to help serve other areas in the Chiriquí province and Bocas del Toro. The importance of spaying/neutering your dog or cat cannot be stressed enough! And for reasons of the safety of your animal, it must be done by a competent vet. In addition to the overpopulation problem, venereal disease is rampant in both male and female dogs in Panamá. 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 even know if either your male or female dog has the disease. In the female, the tumor is inside the dog's vagina. At advanced stages, if you are paying close attention to your female dog, you may notice some bleeding from the vagina...or bleeding from your male dog's penis. The tumors can be surgically removed (but can be done successfully only by a COMPETENT vet); even so, sometimes chemotherapy is needed as a follow-up. 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 and/or small-incision sterilization and who uses stainless steel sutures. Contact me for the dates of future sterilization dates in Volcán and/or the Chiriquí Province.
Dorothy
Atwater
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