APC Report to General Meeting
May 12, 2009

Animal Protection Committee report:

3 female adult dogs (2 pregnant) and 2 female puppies were taken to Sayulitanimals (see following paragraph) on Tues., April 28, for spay. The 2 puppies were without owners but 1 has been adopted. 2 adults have owners, and the other, a beautiful purebred German shepherd who was thrown away by the side of the side of highway 200, has been adopted.

Thanks to a generous benefactor and many other donors, Sayulita now has a PERMANENT small animal clinic, Sayulitanimals, ESPECIALLY for homeless dogs and cats and pets of low income families. The MASH (mobile surgical animal hospital) unit is a separate, independent entity. Spay and neuter and certain other medical treatment is free at Sayulitanimals (spay/neuter on Tues., Thurs. and Sat. by appt.), and although the facility does not rescue or foster animals, it is part of the foster and rescue network. The facility is staffed by a full time licensed Mexican vet, Marco Aldivarez Garcia (also available for emergencies) and volunteer staff, and is open Tues. through Sat. 9-6 and Sun. 9-2. The phone number is (329)291-3974, emergency (045)322-148-2328. For more information, inquiries and location contact sayulitanimals@hotmail.com, marco_alvidrez@hotmail.com and sayulitanimals.org <http://www.sayulitanimals.org/>

There have been no committee expenditures as yet because expenses for the June spay/neuter clinic are as yet unknown. The committee also awaits a reply to the request to purchase a large animal trap from MASH.

Please be aware of the epidemic of a highly contagious venereal canine cancer. It affects both sexes, does not affect other species, including humans, and is usually treatable if not too advanced. Although the local vet says it is only sexual transmitted, internet infomation indicates that it can be transmitted through licking or sniffing affected cells. All 3 adult female dogs just recently spayed have the cancer and require treatment, a series of 3-6 intravenous "chemotherapy" injections. This is certainly another strong case for spay/neuter. For more information on canine transmissible venereal cancer, CTVC, consult the internet. I have just been told there also exists a similar feline transmissible cancer, but have not researched it. Everyday is a learning experience in Mexico!