Spaying our way across Mexico –
the summer 2008 Mexico Spay Odyssey

A SPAY CLINIC DOUBLE HEADER!!!

Compassion without Borders strongly believes that the only way to truly reduce companion animal suffering in Mexico is through steady, focused spay/neuter efforts – which are unheard of throughout most of the country. To this end, over the past 6 years we have implemented spay camps throughout different regions of Mexico, wherein we host free, high volume spay/neuter clinics staffed by both US and local volunteers.

The spay camps are targeted in areas where we have identified local groups or governmental agencies that are committed to sustaining an ongoing effort once our week long clinics are over. The idea is to gauge interest in sterilization, teach local agencies and veterinarians about the proper protocols, surgical and anesthetic techniques, and overall clinic organization --whilst also sterilizing and providing basic health care to hundreds of animals within impoverished communities.

This past month, in July, CWOB did our first back-to-back spay camp mission – two cities in just 7 days! Over 20 US volunteers, with backgrounds ranging from veterinarians to lay folk, headed south to work alongside locals and the Mexican animal protection agency APRODEA to carry out the clinic.

Each clinic was 3 days in length. The first was hosted in Agua Prieta where we have been working with a local group named ‘Rancho Feliz’ to set up ongoing spay/neuter efforts and a humane euthanasia program. The second clinic was held in Casas Grandes, where the local government had been asking for assistance with developing a sterilization program for quite some time.

395 animals were sterilized during the two clinics and many more were treated for basic health issues such as wounds, skin disease, and other ailments. All animals spayed and neutered were also vaccinated, dewormed, given flea and tick control and sent home with a certificate of sterilization and vaccination, collar, ID tag, and leash.

While admittedly exhausting, these two clinics serve as testimony as to how much good can be done in just one week’s time. The beneficial impact we have had on the animals we sterilized and attended to, who will no longer have to breed endlessly and endure one pregnancy after the next is a blessing in and of itself. And, thousands upon thousands of animals will be spared the misery of being born into a life of suffering upon the streets of Mexico – which is a huge victory in our eyes.

Many thanks to Aprodea, the US volunteers, Casas Grandes Department of Health and Rancho Feliz for making the spay camps such a huge success.

View the Photo Slideshow Click here

Check out the accomplishments of our spay camp double header:

• 395 animals sterilized – all animals sterilized are also vaccinated, dewormed, and provided with flea/tick control, leashes, collars and ID tags

-Conservatively speaking, if each animal we spayed and neutered had just one litter in the next year, with an average of 6 offspring in that litter, we have prevented nearly 2,500 animals from being born over the next 12 months!

• Given this is the only veterinary care most animals will receive we also performed several eye surgeries, as well as a limb amputation for a cat with a severe, infected broken limb.

• Dozens of animals were treated for wounds, skin disease, and other ailments

• Dozens of US volunteers were able to donate their time and expertise toward the animals of Mexico and see, firsthand, the suffering and immensity of the overpopulation crisis south of the border

• An agreement was made with the Department of Health in Casas Grandes to host one sterilization clinic per month, which we will staff/coordinate with our partners in Juarez, Mexico and the government will finance.

• An agreement is underway with Rancho Feliz in Agua Prieta to help them properly train local veterinarians and organize ongoing local spay/neuter, which will likely be initiated in January 2009.

DONATE NOW

Help us to fight the suffering of unwanted animals in Mexico through prevention - spay and neuter. It cost an average of $25 for an animal to be sterilized at one of our clinics . Spaying just one dog and one cat prevents 67,000 puppies and 420,000 kittens from being born over the next 7 years! Sponsor a sterilization surgery today and help to prevent untold suffering.

•Watch a five minute video with an overview of the clinics
•Contact us if you are interested in volunteering or donating much needed medical supplies

Donate Now: It cost an average of $25 for an animal to be sterilized at one of our clinics . Spaying just one dog and one cat prevents 67,000 puppies and 420,000 kittens from being born over the next 7 years! Sponsor a sterilization surgery today and help to prevent untold suffering