Thanks to the generosity and help of many people 36 dogs and cats were sterilized last Sunday, and many were vaccinated and treated for health problems.
Special thanks to Dr. Sandra and team, Dr Katherine Meek, Andres Marin Solis from the Casa de Cultura, Fannie and family from Tortillaria Wiberth who again provided lunch for the medical team and then helped with clean up, Marie and Nicole for fund raising, and many members of Celestun's snowbird community for their donations.
It was a beautiful day. We hope to use the space again.
The first surgery of the morning.
There is growing support for sterilization/wellness clinics in Celestun.
Lots of people helped out -a delivery of cardboard for the recovery room.
So many sweet animals and caring people.
Planning for the next clinic is underway.
Donations always appreciated and needed!
Awful smells, s l o w internet, and a personal malaise are hallmarks of life during the rainy season. Insects and thunder figure prominently.
Newbies Perl and Ruby are a bright spot
The sterilization clinic in May went well enough.
Thank you to Fanny from Wilberth tortillaria for making/donating lunch for the surgical team!
Follow up lasted well after the clinic. Once the dogs
spayed at the clinic (including Soliteria!) recovered, we had 5 more
dogs spayed in Merida using left over supplies. Thank you Pets
& Co!
Since then the town has poisoned strays again, including some that had been sterilized. If that pisses you off, let the mayor know!
Perl and Tupo safe at home
In June we had Nico and Coco spayed -and their sisters (thanks to the help of Angel). So relieved to
have all the mosquito shack girls sterilized!
We didn't really believe we could make it happen.
Coco Nut in motion
After months with no results from treatments for fungus, we had a biopsy done and it turns out Nico has a problem with her immune system. Poor baby.
Since we've been treating that she has started to put on weight and regrow her fur and lost nails.
Airborne Nico
June was the first anniversary of the arrival of Junebug and Zoila.
Strong, smart, beautiful and a bit weird. They are a handful!
August is sweet, silly Murci's third anniversary.
We intend to start a CADA website for updates and fund raising that focuses on strays and emergency cases in town.There is obviously overlap, but I think of this blog as a family album. Until then I'll try to be better about mentioning things we do outside of our home (usually with the help of fellow CADA member Jacky).
3 legs and all cute
poor girl got hit by a car but she's on the mend.
We recently were surprised to find out that Linda has bad hips. That means going swimming instead of on walks,but she isn't complaining.
Linda, Perl and Ruby love the water!
Happy, wet Linda Loca
Ruby is a fierce little beauty
Perl is a charmer (and smitten with Archie)
Perl and Nico front a group of our finest demolition experts
All done swimming, going home.
Ruby, Perl and Linda 3 cute soggy bottoms
The clinic went well! 38 animals sterilized!
Nine males and 28 females. Mostly dogs and a few cats.
Thanks to the team assembled by Dra. Sandra at Pets & Company and everyone who donated!
Thanks to Pronatura Celestun for the use of their building.
The weather was beautiful and the line formed early.
Dogs and cats are closely monitored in the recovery room.
Jackeline (in white) was there ALL day keeping things running smoothly. She is also responsible for securing the donation of medication from the Centro de Salud. We couldn't have done it without her!
Sean, Hueso and his very nice dog that he saved from the garbage dump! He was rightly proud of her and her being up to date on her rabies shots. She was spayed and we'll be giving her a distemper vaccination when we remove her stitches.
When we were picking up lunch for the surgical team (paid for by the municipio!) we stopped by to visit one of our favorite beach dogs, neutered at the 1st clinic. Handsome Brian aka Caramelo is a great guy and it seems like he's been staying out of trouble.
If the C.S Celestun SSY (Health Center) is willing to continue to provide the Zelazol we can hold more regular clinics. We're going to take a moment to be happy about this one, but the next clinic is tentatively planned for January.
Tomorrow is the next clinic! Vets and veterinary students will be arriving in the morning! We'll be
doing this and future clinics under the name CADA (Celestuneos Associados en Defensa de Animales).
Celestunea Jackeline has been a great help and managed to secure government funds to cover the most expensive medication needed for the surgeries. That means that in addition to sterilizations we'll be offering mange treatment and rabies and distemper vaccinations! Thank you everyone who contributed! I'll update with photos from the event as soon as I can.
The 1st neuter/vaccination clinic was a mitigated success!
Advertising taxi announcing the clinic while passing the clinic.
It was held at the RV campgrounds next to the pier and we couldn't have asked for a prettier location. Thanks to the proprietress of Hotel Maria del Carmen.
The day was made possible by the animal lovers that donated funds, those who helped out in person and the veterinarians, vet techs and students that volunteered their time.
13 dogs and 1 cat neutered - better than expected though not as many as we'd hoped.
Surgery in a cabana.
Restaurant Celestun graciously supplied lunch to the vets and vet students.
This gorgeous guy arrived in style.
Door to door service. This woman sent a chihuahua and a cat.
Convincing people to neuter is an uphill battle, but there were 30 sign-in reservations (& 10+ verbal) for females to be spayed at the next clinic!
Dr. Sandra is willing to assemble a team of vets large enough to make that happen and it's up to us to do the rest.
We're thrilled that zocolo stray Bernard was neutered and vaccinated!
As was his super friendly pal, the dog we call Brian. Brian has already shown the efficacy of modern mange treatment; one little pill and his coat has grown back in beautifully.
He's a bit tipsy post surgery and headed back to his stretch of beach.
Attitudes about neutering need to be changed. We hope that the strays that have been neutered will convince some doubters of the benefits.
We couldn't sway this guy's human. Maybe next time.
We want to make basic preventive care and vaccinations affordable and accessible,
stem the relentless tide of puppies
and improve the lives of street dogs.
Dogs are everywhere and while it is disheartening we are encouraged that others care and are willing to help.
It was a good day of many small successes. The older pup was neutered and vaccinated against rabies.
Little charmers at dog friendly Hotel Gutierrez.
