2010 Clinics a Huge Success

Our clinics for 2010 concluded on Wednesday May 12th. This year we were able to help 5 communities by providing free spay neuter services for their animals. The first two days of clinics our entire group was together in Kantunilkin. Kantunilkin is the government seat for the municipality of Lazaro Cardenas in the state of Quintana Roo. It has an estimated population of 6100 people.


We had many new volunteers this year so our first clinic on the 8th was a a training session for everyone as well as a very busy clinic. We altered 89 animals on May 8th. On the 9th the clinic ran like clock work with everyone understanding their jobs and getting right down to business. We unfortunately had fewer animals presented but were able to alter 68 animals during our second day.

May 10th is Mothers Day in Mexico and we always take the day off to rest and prepare for the next two days of clinics.

Tuesday we broke into two groups and headed to two small villages, Cedral and El Ideal. Both villages are Mayan. Maya is the common language in these villages. Many of the children are fluent in Spanish as well as Maya. Some also speak a little English. The dogs are very important to the Mayan people. They are greatly loved by their owners. The people and children were in and out of the clinics all day, as the doors were all open for ventilation. They find the whole process of our clinics very interesting. We make sure we treat the animals with respect as well as their owners. 54 animals were altered in El Ideal and 49 were altered in Cedral. On dog was sedated and had a growth removed from the corner of it's eye.

Wednesday the final day of clinics we again broke into two groups. One group went to Solferino and the other stayed on Holbox. We visited Solferino in 2008 but not in 2009. In Solferino the Ejido donates their building for us to use. It is a nice large area and well designed for a clinic space. 49 animals were altered in Solferino.

The Holbox clinic is held at Casa de Morelia. Morelia has done so much work on the house and grounds. There are many cages and carriers for the animals. The prep area is outside under a palapa roof, surgery is in the kitchen/living area and recovery is in a bedroom. The entire grounds are surrounded by a high fence so if an animal should become free of its carrier it can not escape. We altered 58 animals including a raccoon. We ran out of daylight and were not able to alter all of the rescued kittens that are currently being cared for by Morelia. The local vet on Holbox, Luis, will alter them next week.

We altered a total of 363 animals this year. We have left supplies so that at least 100 more can be altered in our absence. This was a very successful campaign.

2010 Clinic Underway

This is a long over due update. We were so busy before we left that I just didn't a chance to write. We arrived on Holbox Monday May 3. For the first time all of our supplies were cleared through customs. We had one bag that was delayed but it was delivered to us on the 4th.

Friday evening we hosted a get together at the house we are staying in. Our good friends, Alejandro Vega and Elia brought many delicious snacks. They always are so supportive of our efforts and help us in many ways.

The weather is very hot and humid. Perfect for sitting on the beach or swimming a little hot for working.

The first two days our clinics are in Kantunilkin. Yesterday after a slow start the day went well. 89 animals were altered. It is so rewarding to have the opportunity to help these animals and people. We had many puppies brought to the clinic. They can now live a life without contributing further to the over population problem.

More later.