Spay Blitz in San Miguel de Allende -Volunteers Needed

Yesterday I received news that

Amigos de Animales
in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
are continuing their great work.

If you are in or plan to be in San Miguel during the dates below they could use some help.

UPCOMING BLITZ: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MAY 8-9, 9 AM to 5 PM


LOCATION:
The blitz will be held in the Escuela Primaria Gral, Avenida (or Calle) Manuel Avila Camacho, Comunidad de Don Diego, Colonia Santa Teresita de Don Diego. This colonia is on the road to Celaya just beyond Los Frailes on the right hand side, bordered by the Presa.

DIRECTIONS:
Detailed directions will follow as we get closer to the date.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS BUS SERVICE FROM SMA TO COLONIA SANTA TERESITA CLOSE TO THE BLITZ LOCATION, IT IS PROBABLY EASIER TO GET THERE BY CAR. WE ARE CONSIDERING OFFERING A SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE MEGA PARKING LOT TO THE LOCATION BUT NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD NEED THIS SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SHUTTLE WILL NOT RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, BUT ONLY AT THE START AND END OF EACH SHIFT.

BLITZ VOLUNTEER JOBS:

If you want to work with dogs, please email Alex Delechambre to sign up.

If you want to work with cats, please email Pam Knoles
to sign up.

You may sign up for one day or two and choose either morning or afternoon hours that work best for you. When you e-mail, please specify the position(s) from the list below that you are interested in filling and the times you are available. Also, if you are a Spanish speaker, please let us know. Specifically for this blitz, also note whether you will need transportation (shuttle) from and to the Mega.

Volunteers are needed to help with:

- Posting flyers
- Setting-up
- Registration
- Weigh-in
- Number Calling
- Dog Recovery
- Dog Carrying
- Dog Recovery Calling
- Grooming (must have grooming tools and experience)
- Collars/Leashes Dispensing
- Check out
- Photography
- Errand Running (must have car)
- End of day clean up
- Post blitz pack up
- Shuttle driver (must have car)


PROXIMO BLITZ: SABADO Y DOMINGO, 8-9 DE MAYO, 9 AM HASTA 5 PM

DONDE:
El blitz estara en la Escuela Primaria Gral, Avenida (o Calle) Manuel Avila Camacho, Comunidad de Don Diego, Colonia Santa Teresita de Don Diego. Esa colonia esta en la carretera a Celaya pasada de Los Frailes a la derecha, lindado con la Presa.

SENAS:
Senas detalladas van a seguir mas cerca de la fecha.

AUNQUE HAY SERVICIO DE CAMION DE SMA A LA COLONIA SANTA TERESITA CERCA DEL BLITZ, ES MAS FACIL A LLEGAR EN COCHE. ESTAMOS CONSIDERANDO DE OFRECER UN SERVICIO DE SHUTTLE DESDE LA MEGA HASTA SANTA TERESITA PERO NECESITAMOS SABER CUANTOS VAN A NECESITAR ESTE SERVICIO. FAVOR DE REALISARSE QUE EL SHUTLLE NO VA A CORRER TODO EL DIA PERO SOLO AL INICIO Y AL FINAL DE CADA TURNO.


OPORTUNIDADES POR TRABAJO VOLUNTARIO:

Si ud. quiere trabajar con los perros, favor de mandar un correo electronico a Alex Delechambre a palomalex@yahoo.com para voluntar.

Si ud. quiere trabajar con los gatos, favor de mandar un correo electronico a Pam Knoles a pgknoles@yahoo.com para voluntar.

Se puede voluntar para uno o dos dias y escoger un turno en la manana o la tarde como quiere. Cuando manda su correo, favor de especificar su eleccion de la lista abajo y el turno que ud. elige. Especificamente para ese blitz, apunte si va a necesitar transporte (shuttle) desde y hasta la Mega.

Necesitamos voluntarios para:

Poner avisos
- Instalacion
Registracion
Pesar de las mascotas
Llamar los numeros
Recuperacion de perros
Llevar perros
Buscar duenos despues de recuperacion
Almohazar (necesite equipo y experiencia)
Collares/Correas
Check out
Fotografia
Ir de compras (tener que tiene coche)
Limpiar al fin del dia
Arreglar despues del Blitz
Shuttle chofer (tener que tiene coche)

Wish List Wednesday

Allwormer

Havahart® Collapsible Live Animal Trap

Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags

Kids Interacting with Dogs Safely™ Coloring Book Spanish Version

The above items will be greatfully accepted in Havana, Cuba.
Should you not be able to deliver in person I would be happy to receive and arrange delivery.
Spanky Project
Box 224
Consecon ON K0K 1T0
Canada

Destination Specific
Street Animals of Morocco

Austin, Texas

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

If you are in the USA - Christy at Peluma Cuba will happily accept donated supplies.

Peluma Cuba
P.O. Box 7322
West Palm Beach, FL 3340

Peluma Cuba also has a wishlist.

Amigos de Animales, Mexico

(Animals have feelings and need love just like people)

During my visit to San Migel de Allende Mexico I had the opportunity to meet with Amigos de Animales' president Arno K. Naumann.

We meet at El Jardin during a fund raising campaign.


Amigos de Animales has been in operation since 2002. In that time they have run spay/neuter programs that average 1000 animals each year. Numbers like that make a huge difference in the stray population.

I addition to it’s spay and neuter programs Amigos de Animales promotes education on responsible pet care giving and animal welfare.

They are also guardians, overseeing the operation of San Miguel de Allende’s “dog pound”.
Amigo de Animals has situated a small clinic on site. Every day a Veterinarian on site
ensure that the condition of the animals ...the premises... and the level of care is of a humane standard.
Animals that enter the pound are not there long. City law mandates that if an animal is not claimed or adopted after 5 day they are put down.
Working with the state government they have changed the local method of euthanising animals from electrocution to more humane methods.

If you are planning a visit to San Miguel, and would like to assist or donate supplies,
Amigos de Animales
would be happy to hear from you.

S.P.A. Dog Training Program

The S.P.A. facility in San Miguel de Allende conducts a wonderful training program - the brainchild of Kathi Hamblet.
-Kathi doles out the chicken bits-

S.P.A. TRAINING PROGRAM - PROGRAMA DE ENTRENAMIENTO

During these sessions, led by Tomas, the students learn training methods.
The shelter's dogs learn proper behaviour and socialization. This helps the dogs become more adoptable.

On this day a youthful group were completing a twelve week course of dog training. Usually restricted to students between 13 and 18 years this special session was held due to the overwhelming enthusiasm on the part of those registered.

For complete details on the S.P.A. TRAINING PROGRAM
- PROGRAMA DE ENTRENAMIENTO-
and how you can sponsor a student..
CLICK HERE.

The final task each session is to walk the cages.
This is an exercise of immense value.
All staff and volunteers are trained that when approaching a kennel to ignore the dog unless they sit and remain quiet.This is to reinforce behaviour that will work in the dog's favour
when any potential new caregiver comes to visits.

Good dog !!

Community outreach ...

On Tuesdays at 5:00 pm locals gather for an open training session in Parque Juarez.
Drop by and say "hola".

This is an excellent opportunity to meet Tomas and become familiar with his training methods... ... just like Skeeter did.

We had a stray, with a bout of mange, drop by to improve his people skills.

If you would like a consult...
email Tomas

Cycle4Strays - Mexico

Here he goes again !!!

Davide departed the Best Friends sanctuary on January 26.
His journey will take him from Kanab, Utah (departure video) to Costa Rica where he will be greeted by the McKee Project.

The stars truly aligned for this meet. With Davide cycling through Mexico and us being in Patzcuaro for the month of February - Morelia was only 57km (35miles).

This was the first time Davide and I have met.
We have been in email contact regarding a cooperative effort - putting a Cycle4Stray Ride together in Cuba.

This initial meeting was great.
The dogs of the world have a true advocate in Davide and his work.
Mexican animal welfare groups will benefit with increased publicity as a result of this ride.
The fact that Aliac (Archivio Latinoamericano de Identificacion Animal) requested he remain in Guadalajara for several days is a testament to the interest this ride is garnering.

After conspiring on some canine adventures and enjoying espressos and tea we hit the streets.
We took Davide to visit a mobile/stationary spay neuter clinic located in Plaza del Carmen near the Museo de la Mascara.

Our timing was poor as it had closed for the day.
I look forward to providing more info on this outreach program.

Davide hit the road this morning for Mexico City.
Looks like there will be quite a reception upon arrival.

Follow the ride on..
TWITTER

Buen Viaje Davide.

This program is Skeeter approved!
DONATE !

Spa -San Miguel

¡Ayúdeme!

The Sociedad Protectora de Animales (SPA) is the only animal shelter in San Miguel de Allende. It houses up to one hundred animals and is staffed 24/7. The shelter is self funded and relies on donations and income from the low cost veterinary clinic within.
During my first week in San Miguel I had a serendipitous event.
Kathi, a volunteer at SPA was my neighbour. At the time Kathi was fostering a puppy named Mercedez (Miche). Part of the fostering program requires the pet to be brought to SPA for vaccinations and regular check ups. Miche was due for some shots so we went to SPA and I was given a tour.

We left Miche in the capable hands of Dr.Vanessa and began our tour.

.
The first stop on the tour was a lesson for me.
Workers and volunteers are trained that when they approach a cage they are to ignore the dogs until they sit and remain quiet.
This "good" behaviour is reinforced with a treat reward.
This training is done so that when a prospective adopter approaches a cage the dogs are not all barking and jumping.
No doubt you have been a witness to "crazy" dogs in shelters.

SPA has the capacity for about 100 animals.
Above you will see some of the older kennels.
These are at a low end of the property which poses a problem during heavy rains.
New kennels, as in the photo of Kathi with the two dogs, will soon be the facility standard.

This is a no kill facility. No animal in SPA's care will be killed for lack of a speedy adoption.
This policy has saved the life of Silky. She has been at the facility for over four years.
No one can quite figure out why she has not been adopted.
It sure would be great if some of you in San Miguel could consider Silky as a new companion.


One of the great stress relievers for the "inmates" is the new dog park that has been opened as part of the facility.

Improvements at SPA are ongoing.
Every animal gets the greatest of care.
Every animals is spayed/neutered before adoption.
Help contribute to the betterment of San Miguel's furry denizens.

¡Help Me!

Blessings

Upon our arrival in San Miguel de Allende we discovered a few events that were of much interest.

On January 17th, St.Anthony the Abbot Day, the blessing of the animals was held.

This event took place at a few locations around town. We attended the fourth annual “Blessing of the Poodles” held in front of the Oratorio de San Felipe Nari.

Locals and “Gringos” waited patiently for the event to begin.

Despite the event being called “Blessing of the Poodles” critters of all sort were brought forward.

Some of which were less than impressed with the goings on. Check out this little feline.

The Padre and his crew waited until all that wanted to be part of this blessed event came forward before calling it a day.

This day also allowed us to make some new friend.

Big or small ...

... share some love.