Newsletter-November 2021-English

Our mission is to provide low cost spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and to promote the general welfare of animals in our community and surrounding areas.  

Si prefiere recibir los correos electrónicos en español, haga clic aquí.

On Sunday October 31, Amigos de Animales spayed or neutered 231 animals, 105 dogs and 126 cats.  We had four vets and two trainees working.  This was our last official clinic of the year, though we will be doing a smaller clinic in Caldera later in November.  (See below for more statistics on the clinic) 

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL VETS!

Since November is the month of giving thanks, we would like to thank our wonderful vets for continuing to work with us.  We gave each of our vets a certificate of thanks as well as our new calendar hoping that they will mark their calendars to be with us again for 2022. 

From left to right are: Dr. Nicolas Mellana, Alcibiades Aguilar, Dra. Amanda Zamora, Dr. Javier Rodriguez, Dr. Virgilio Gonzales Quiel, and Dr. Andres Tello Atencio. 

Not pictured: Dra. Sandy Ullstrop

Dra. Chely began with Amigos de los Animales before we were even officially formed. She was at the first sterilization clinic in 2005 when 21 animals were sterilized and since then has only missed one clinic.  She is basically a very shy and humble person.  She does not like to operate at the clinics but she surely knows how to mix our anesthesia cocktail and to inject animals with it at our clinics.  She has been a mainstay for all of us.  

Dra. Chely is a compassionate, talented vet, a very good and tireless friend of Animales. Thank you, Dra. Chely Castillo for all that you do!

Martha has ten dogs in town that she feeds regularly, in addition to the five dogs and seven cats that currently live with her, and the thirteen cats that she is looking after, as well as the six that she placed in foster care.  

In addition, Martha is a trusted house and pet sitter in her spare time.  Thank you Martha!

These certificates are an easy way to help. They are available at the Animales table at the BCP Tuesday Market.

BEWARE OF FIREWORKS

Gia Pallone (aka The Dog Whisperer who helps at Intake) sent in this cautionary story about a neighbor’s dog, along with some great tips to deal with fireworks:

Tuesday night my neighbor Lily’s dog, Chloe, took off during a spray of fireworks. She told me on Wednesday that she was sad but, had little hope of her return as she always came home by the next morning. We posted her picture and that of her brother Cojin on Facebook and around the neighborhood. (They are both success stories of Dr. Tello having been treated, independently, in Costa Rica for fractured legs)  Several days later, Lily sent me the picture of Chloe on her way home!
A BIG THANK YOU! to ALL of the ingenious, creative, animal lovers who give a voice to those who can’t speak. We are ALL united in a way that surpasses understanding. This story had a happy ending but many animals run away and get lost around this time of celebration.  

     Fireworks can send even the calmest of dogs running away in fear of the scary noises coming out of the sky.

Here are some tips:

•    Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to, and has access to this place at all times; this could be under some furniture or in a closet.
•    Walk dogs during daylight hours, and keep cats and dogs indoors when the fireworks are likely to be set off.
•    At nightfall close the windows and curtains and put on music or the TV to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.
•    Don’t punish or fuss over your pet when it is scared.
•    Make sure your cat or dog is always kept in a safe and secure environment and can’t get out if there’s a sudden noise.
•    Keep yourself calm so no feeling of anxiety will pass on to your pet.

•    Keep a collar with a name tag and your phone number on your animal at all times. 

KIBBLE & BITS:

•  Food Drive: We are continuing to feed the dogs and cats in Boquete and we still need your help.  We have raised $10,110 toward our goal of $15,000.  

You can donate by clicking here

•  Our “non-raffle” fundraiser will start in early 2022.  Watch for more details coming soon!

•  New volunteers: in mid-January we will be having an orientation for new and returning volunteers to explain opportunities to help at our clinics

•  Spay or neuter your animal: we have a waiting list for animals to be spayed or neutered. Contact Rosa, our appointment coordinator, at 6563-8686 to be added to our waiting list.

•  Animales is always looking for stories and pictures to share in this newsletter.  

Please contact Alicia at akcleavenger@hotmail.com if you are interested.

•  We are in need of volunteers to help with social media and fundraising.

You do not need to be in Panama to help.

WAYS TO HELP AMIGOS DE ANIMALES:   

•  Donations:  Any amount will help.  If you are a U.S. citizen, you can deduct $300 on your tax return ($600 joint) even if you don’t itemize deductions.

Click here for ways you can make a donation

•  If you would like to volunteer for Animales, contact Alicia at akcleavenger@hotmail.com

•  If you can donate dog or cat food, please drop it off at the Amigos de Boquete office in Alto Dorado or contact akcleavenger@hotmail.com

•  Don’t forget, the Animales Events Center is available to rent for meetings and gatherings of any kind. For rates and dates, contact us.

Here are the statistics from the October 31st clinic:

Here are the statistics for 2021 through the October 31st clinic: