APC Report to General Meeting
December, 2009

Dear Amigos Members,

Since 2007, when the first spay/neuter clinic happened here in Lo de Marcos, nearly 200 cats and dogs here have been sterilized, which greatly improved the quality of life for those animals and that of the human residents by reducing the number of unwanted domestic animals and all the problems associated with overpopulation. Now, with the support of Amigos de Lo de Marcos, the spay/neuter program can continue. It is not without cost of course, and the Animal Protection Committee in 2010 requests $7000 pesos. The mobile animal surgical hospital (MASH), a branch of PEACE (see www.peacemexico.org ), based in Bucerias, Jalisco, has a salaried staff of 4 and does a phenomenal job of year 'round of dog and cat sterilization in towns all over Jalisco and Nayarit. They request, but do not demand, a fee to continue their fine program. In addition to spay/neuter, they do medical consultations and often provide additional meds and surgical services WITHOUT COST.  

Amigos de Lo de Marcos paid for food and supplies for staff and volunteers of the June, 2009 spay/neuter clinic, but did not provide for salary support for staff. In order for PEACE/MASH to WANT to return to our town, they deserve compensation. The head vet from Tepic presently works 4 days per week doing surgery and drives home 3 of those days to work a night job at a boarding school for children. He is an excellent vet with an excellent staff, and we hope to encourage all of them in their career paths. The APC kindly requests that you vote to support this excellent program.  

Since the June clinic here, over a dozen animals have been transported to other MASH/PEACE clinics and to Sayulita Animals for spay/neuter (see www.sayulitanimals.org ), and many more still await this service. Volunteers are needed to help transport animals to and from Sayulita Animals, and animal cages/crates are provided for safety and cleanliness. Animals need simply be dropped off in Sayulita in the morning and picked up in the afternoon after surgery. If you have business for the day in Bucerias and/or Puerto Vallarta, this service is a much appreciated but easy contribution. Please leave your name and contact info. for the APC, e-mail anadelodemarcos@gmail.com , or call Ana (327)275-0235, Marge at (327) 275-0049, or Lupita at (327) 275-0334.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely, 

Ana Lewis, Marge Hummel, Lupita Meza, Tyler Henshaw