141st STERILIZATION CLINIC IN VOLCÃN

At this 141st clinic, we sterilized 30 dogs and 23 cats. Of the dogs, 23 were female and 7 were male. Of the cats, 15 were female and 8 were male. This brings our total of dogs and cats sterilized to 5,677.

We've had a slight increase in the cost for dogs that weigh more than 25 lbs. We use the best and most expensive anesthesia, which costs me almost $5.00 per cc. And of course the bigger dogs also require more of the antibiotics, pain meds, vitamin B-complex, antiparasite, and the solution for fleas and ticks. The new costs for dogs weighing more than 25 lbs. are:

26 - 40 lbs. - $30
41 - 55 lbs. - $35
56 - 70 lbs. - $40
71 - 85 lbs. - $45
86 - 100 lbs - $50
101 - 115 lbs. - $55

These charges were effective beginning at this clinic, and no one had a problem when they needed to pay an additional amount. The charges are actually less than my actual cost. For example, I just bought supplies and medications at a cost of $1,071.34.

We have also announced that when people have confirmed appointments but do not bother to come without canceling, when they want a subsequent appointment there will be an extra charge. Therefore, for this clinic we had only two no-shows instead of the usual 20 or so.

I am SO proud of our volunteers--and very thankful for their dedication, hard work, and their love of animals! Volunteers present at this clinic were:

Francia Pinedo
Alex Rios
Juan Lozada
Suany Quintero
Nicole Valdes
Agueda Castillo
Alcides Quintero
Diego Delgado
Dr. Tello's oldest daughter, Naomi, also assisted today.
Rodrigo Morales uses my car to transport animals when necessary.

Some of the tasks our volunteers perform:

Register the clients and animals; prepare a tag with the names of the animal, the owner, and other information regarding the animal;
weigh the animals in order to give the correct amount of anesthesia, antibiotics, pain medication, antiparasite, B-complex;
measure and administer all the injections;
after the animal is asleep, put oil in the eyes so they don't dry out;
shave and prep the surgical area of the animal;
carry the animal to the doctor's operating table;
assist the doctors when necessary;
carry the animal from the operating table to the recovery area;
clean the doctors' operating table;
clean the used surgical instruments and place them in a sterile solution;
clean any blood from the animal;
make sure the doctors always have a supply of sterile gloves and gauze;
put medication on the surgical site;
apply flea and tick medication;
tattoo the ears of female dogs to indicate they have been spayed;
cover the animal with a blanket and keep watch until they are awake.
Hold an animal over a trash can on occasions when they vomit;
clean up poop and pee from the floor;
clean ears and trim nails when necessary;
And Alex Rios also cleans dogs' teeth when the client requests it.

Also, I had forgotten to thank Alberto Tribaldos who used his mathematical genius to create a dosage sheet for the flea and tick medication we use. Sorry for the late "thank you," Alberto!

I'm sure I've forgotten something--or several things--but as you can see, our volunteers are very busy!

Our next clinic will be on February 21st, but it is already full. Send a whatsapp
message to 6640-3171 for appointments on March 21, 2021.

Only the veterinarians receive any pay. Neither I nor anyone else connected with the clinics is paid. 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 for any deficits from my own pocket.

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

Phyllis and Kevin Klecha went above and beyond! They provided the main dish of roasted vegetables and tender, tasty beef, a fruit plate, and they even brought bottled water. I provided the dessert, coffee, cream, sugar.
No photo album for this clinic. It's not worthwhile with everyone having to wear masks!

Income and expenses:

$ 980.00*
contributions by guardians/owners

      25.00
Al Jan

     500.00 Anonymous, in honor of her dog Molly

      75.00 Hazel Blumberg-Mckee

        5.00 Monica Steyn

     180.00 Calendar sales, thanks to Pat Chan/Spay Panama

$1,765.00 Total cash income

*Note: The $980 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 January 21, 2021 clinic Dr. Tello sterilized 30 dogs and 23 cats. A more realistic average costs are $30 per dog and $15 per cat. Expenses were $1,245 plus $100 for building rent, for a total of $1,345. Income this month was $1,765 leaving an excess of $420. Therefore, with my previous out-of-pocket expenses, there is an excess of $2,345.93.

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!

Here in Volcan, our small group has been responsible for sterilizing 5,677 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. God is judging these cruel people!

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. (I do not trust care of my dogs or injured dogs that I find in the street to ANYONE except the veterinarians at our clinics.)

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
For appointments: 6640-3171 (whatsapp)

muffiemae@gmail.com

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