APC Report to General Meeting
June 1, 2009

Animal Protection Committee report:

Preparations continue for the upcoming Lo de Marcos spay/neuter clinic, June 10-13th at Casa de Los Ninos (thanks SO much David and Patty!). El Caracol donated 2 rooms (1 has a kitchen), and Karen Olesen is allowing 2 volunteers from San Blas to stay at her home. THANK YOU both!

The following services/items are still needed:

* Meals for vets, staff and volunteers in the early AM OR afternoons. Diana Rohde has kindly offered to cook and bring one meal to Casa, and if anyone else out there can do the same for another day it would be very helpful and appreciated. There will be some snack foods and drinks in the kitchen for quick sustenance and refreshment, but once surgery begins no one has time for a sit down meal until afternoon. The vets will probably fix at least 20 animals per day (they try to set that limit) and finish around 2 or 3 PM -- at least that is when they take their first break. So far there will be 4 MASH personnel, 2 volunteers from out of town, and 2 from here. Since there ARE funds available this time for restaurant meals, even a runner to a restaurant for order and pick up would be great. If anyone is motivated to cook an early breakfast for our guests that would be GREAT too, since restaurants are not open early. Casa de Los Ninos has a nice roomy kitchen with stove, microwave and fridge, and you can be compensated for your purchases and even time if necessary.

* A preferably somewhat bilingual person or persons to check animals in and out. This is not difficult as there are standard forms.

* A person or persons to hang around and/or be on call to help pick up & deliver animals. Many people do not have motor vehicles nor leashes nor carrying crates, OR are not physically able to walk an animal in. Animals after surgery should NOT be forced to walk home. You can be compensated for your gas if necessary.

* A person or persons to clean cages, before and after surgery. Casa has ample outdoor space and hoses.

* A person or persons to either do wash at home or deliver it to be washed. We go through LOTS of towels and linens. If you don't have a clothes dryer at least laundry dries very quickly in the sun!

* Linens and towels -- ripped and stained is fine.

* Flea & tick spray. Animals are given a med. to kill both internal & external parasites after surgery, but many animals are heavily infested upon arrival.

* A person or persons to help with general clean up, esp. on Saturday afternoon. Casa must be left spotlessly clean.

Please continue to check this site for updates or call Ana at (327)275-0235 or e-mail anadelodemarcos@gmail.com, or call Melanie at (327)275-0492. Thanks for helping to create and maintain a healthy, clean & safe community for both our animal & human residents!