125th STERILIZATION CLINIC IN VOLCAN

(Para la version en espanol)

 

 

 February 24, 2019

 Our 125th spay/neuter clinic! Today 52 animals were
 spayed/neutered by Dr. Andres Tello, 
our wonderful veterinarian. It was another long day--Dr. Tello
also performed several exams and
other
time-consuming surgeries other than spaying/neutering.


At this 125th clinic, Dr. Tello sterilized 30 dogs and 22 cats. Of the dogs, 22 were female and 8 were male. Of the cats, 15 were female and 7 were male. This brings our total of dogs and cats sterilized to 4,839.

There were four pregnancies, which take more time. Plus Dr. Tello also performed complicated and lengthy surgeries (other than spaying and neutering) on four animals. 

So it was another long day. And once again, a feral cat got loose inside the building. Fortunately none of our volunteers were injured, but the cat was all over the tables, knocking everything to the floor, climbing the walls and generally causing chaos. Thank goodness for my Ketch pole! But of course before we could get near enough to use it, the cat had already caused a lot of damage.

The cat situation doesn't happen too often, but coupled with other chaotic events, this 125th clinic was the most stressful for me that I ever remember.


Remember: I am not a veterinarian, but I can usually help with animal problems...excepting of course, broken bones and/or serious illnesses. If you want to visit my house regarding a problem with an animal, please call me in advance, 6517-8752 or whatsapp at 6361-3234 after 7:00 am or before 7:00 pm. I will usually not open my gate when my employee is not present.


Remember, we also offer teeth cleaning of dogs. The cost is $25.00. Please make an appointment if you want this procedure. 


Except for our wonderful veterinarian, neither I nor anyone else connected with the clinics receives any pay. I rent the building where we hold the clinics, and I buy all the anesthesia, medications, instruments, supplies, and equipment--and provide transportation for those who need it. I have no offices, no salaries, no paid advertising. Every penny goes for the animals. This is a project from my heart, and I pay the deficits from my own pocket. 

Thank you in advance for future financial help, and thanks to everyone who has donated in the past.


Volunteers:

Following are our regular volunteers. I believe that we now have the best team of volunteers we have ever had!

Francia Pinedo served as registrar.  
Don Binder weighed animals and gave the anesthesia injections. He, Elcy Morales and Agueda Castillo gave the pre-op injections of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. They also put mineral oil in the eyes of the animals so they would not dry out, shaved the surgical site before surgery, and performed whatever other duties were needed. 
Various volunteers assisted Dr. Tello and gave post-op injections of B-12 and antiparasite. Those include Kathleen Arauz and Elcy Morales. They dressed the incisions, applied flea and tick treatment, tattooed the ears of female dogs, and generally checked the well being of the animals.
And of course our wonderful John Gould who helps provide transportation and helps everywhere he is needed! 
Elcy Morales also helped by cleaning and sterilizing the surgical instruments.
Luis Pablo Caballero, our recent and youngest volunteer (10 years old). We love him.
Alex Rios cleaned the teeth of four dogs and he helped with other tasks as well. 


We had a lot of delicious food for the doctor and the volunteers! Thanks to everyone who contributed: The main dish by Sue Lovett, drinks by Don Binder, bananas by Amanda Rankin, and a wonderful chocolate cake by Erik Westra.

Please forgive me if I forgot to thank anyone who donated or contributed.


Income and expenses: 

$   815.00*

contributions by guardians/owners

      25.00

Al Jan 

      20.00  Dana Larson
       20.00  Anonymous
       10.00  Anonymous
     100.00    Kimberly Turner
      40.00  Judy Odom
      25.00  Liz Waring
      15.00  Dorreene Reynolds
      10.00  Vincent Spagnoli
      20.00  Don Binder
       5.00  Calendar sales (thanks to Patria Chan, Spay Panama)
$1,105.00  Total cash income

*Note: The $815 contributions by guardians/owners were for spaying and neutering only. Payments for other procedures were paid to Dr. Tello separately. Neither those payments nor the charges for other services are  included in the income and expenses.


At this February 24, 2019 clinic Dr. Tello sterilized 30 dogs and 22 cats.  With my average costs of $25 per dog and $15 per cat, expenses were $1,080 plus $100 for building rent for a total of $1,180. Income this month was $1,105 leaving a deficit of $75. Therefore,  with my previous out-of-pocket expenses, there is currently an excess of $2,874.28. 

My heartfelt thanks for the generous donations of those who have contributed for this clinic, who have contributed in the past, and who will contribute in the future! We need and appreciate your help! Love and thanks to everyone!

And I can never thank our volunteers enough! They work hard and they are wonderful!


See the photo album for this clinic here: https://imgur.com/a/gFwjy8Y


Here in Volcan, our small group has been responsible for sterilizing 4,839 dogs and cats to date. (And this number does not include the extraordinary surgeries that Dr. Tello has performed at our clinics...removal of tumors, amputations, etc., nor the clinic we performed in Davila in which 35 dogs were sterilized.) 

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--but thankfully, we see a lot fewer venereal tumors than we did in the past!. But sadly, cruel and uncaring people are bringing dogs to this area and dumping them.

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. 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 we are so fortunate to have operate at our clinics. (I do not trust care of my dogs or injured dogs that I find in the street to ANYONE except Dr. Tello.)

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 -  6517-8752 or whatsapp, 6361-3234
muffiemae@gmail.com
skype:  muffiemae

For appointments: 6640-3171 (phone or whatsapp)

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