"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."
...ALBERT SCHWEITZER

(Para la versión en español
haga click Aqui)

 


 

Welcome to the web site of Spay/Panama-Chiriqui

                                                                                 :-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)
                                 
Important Links:

Links to Each of My 
Sterilization Clinics in Volcan

New Animal Protection Law

May 2, 2017-Possible Prison
for Abusers

Why and How This Program Began in Volcan

Benefits of Sterilization

Standing invitation to local vets in various areas

Spay/USA - lots of good information here

About declawing of cats

Injectable Vitamin C:
A miracle cure!

 


    



By Dorothy Atwater:

I moved to Volcán, Chiriqui, Panama in 2004. There were dozens of suffering dogs roaming the streets, starving and covered with mange, yet still able to procreate. It broke my heart but I didn't know how to help them

But then in 2005 I had the opportunity to meet Patricia Chan, Director of Spay Panama, an NGO in Panama City, when their group was in Volcán to perform an offsite large sterilization event.

With Patricia Chan's encouragement, and after repeated trips from Volcán to the Spay Panama clinics in Panama City for training, I decided to start low-cost spay/neuter clinics of my own in Volcán.

I began my Spay/Panama-Chiriqui clinics in March of 2006. At age 63, I had found my life's purpose!

My Spay/Panama-Chiriqui clinics are legally authorized by Foundation Spay Panama, but they are personally financed by me. I chose not to form an NGO because of the initial cost of approximately $1,000 plus the additional annual fees. I always include a financial report in the web page I create after each clinic.

Through January of 2023, we had sterilized 6,614 dogs and cats during 163 spay/neuter clinics. But then after 17 years of dedicated service, at age 82 I experienced a tragic event--not of my doing--that caused the abrupt halt of our Spay/Panama-Chiriqui clinics: a fire in the building that I had rented for 15 years which destroyed much of my equipment and supplies. To see pictures and the narrative about this heart-rending event, click HERE.

After I recovered from the emotional trauma caused by the fire, despite much searching I was unable to find another suitable building and location to rent. But in November of 2025, I had the inspiration to buy a building!

And then what happened was divinely inspired by God.

Within two weeks of that decision, I had found the perfect solution: an old house in an ideal location. The house and property would require a lot of work, but I immediately recognized the potential and agreed on the spot to purchase it. And because the owner supported my intended use of the property, he gave me the keys so we could begin work--before I had signed an agreement OR given him any money!

Among a lot of other work required, we had to replace all of the wiring in the old house, install new ceiling lights and many new electrical outlets. Another blessing was that my wonderful electrician charged a much-reduced cost        --because he, too, supported my intended use of the facility.

So after three months of dedicated work by Alcides (my employee), his 16-year-old son Jadiel, and one  other man, we had transformed the old house and the property into our perfect Spay/Panama-Chiriqui sterilization clinic! See photos HERE of some of the transformation process.

In February of 2026 we resumed with our 164th Spay/Panama-Chiriqui clinics in Volcan.   I will continue creating a web page after each clinic. See the link for all the clinics HERE.

I have long known that everything that happens is ultimately for my highest good. But the "highest good" does not happen immediately, and I don't remember this in a time of emotional trauma. After the fire it took three years for my highest good to materialize and for me to realize that if not for the fire, I probably would have continued the Spay/Panama-Chiriqui clinics in the former rented building and location, which in every way was inferior to everything we have now.

Thank you, God.

Please see links at the left for more important information. 

Dorothy Atwater
Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama
507-6361-3234 (WhatsApp)
email: muffiemae@gmail.com

And see my many rescues (my family!) here:
https://goo.gl/photos/RsPDZnUNWhyYZNuF8