Dear Friends of the Animals
Letter to our Contributors:-2009 status report
2009 was a slow start up year, we hope, caused by the terrible economy in both the US and Mexico. Contributions from the US simply were inadequate to put a dent in the current situation. Thousands of sick dogs and cats continue to roam the streets and beaches. However, this did not stop our spay and neuter efforts in Acapulco.
-Multiple attempts were made to engage the major tourist hotels to participate in the program and support us financially by contributing a modest amount annually. In exchange we would remove stray dogs and cats from their property and the beaches fronting their property. This is a chronic issue as tourist constantly complain about the wild starving dogs and cats living on the beaches. So far these efforts have not had a positive result.
-We continue to partner with Bayer Corporation in their effort to educate school children in the care and respect for animals in general and specifically the care of their own dogs and cats. It is our joint belief that the solution to the stray/street animal problem starts with the young. A complete mind set and cultural change is needed and this may take 2-3 generations to accomplish. A number of schools have asked Debbie to speak to their classes in English in hopes it will help educate the children regarding the animal problem but also help with their English studies. This may occur by way of Skype of some other form of telecommunication and in person when Debbie is in Mexico each year
-Our veterinary clinic, owned and operated by Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque, continues to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats at no charge. This entails receiving calls for help, taking time to drive and catch these wild animals and returning them to the clinic where in many cases they must be treated for any number of conditions before neutering surgery can take place. Many of these animals are starving and suffering from a myriad of diseases . Some are even pregnant. The care of these animals may require several weeks and all of this is hopefully covered by your contributions. Efforts to find homes for these animals is also on-going
-Dr Gomez has been attempting to grow awareness to this problem through multiple TV appearances, presentations at social gatherings, membership in clubs such as Rotary and the like. He has achieved some early success by earning pledges for assistance from the Rotary Club and the Guerrero Department of Health. These efforts are on-going and are showing signs of success—so much so that the demand at the clinic, for walk in free spay and neutering , cannot be met due to lack of funds.
-100% of all US contributions have been used to support the Acapulco clinic. The officers of the Association take no money and contribute all their time and travel expense to the Association. This will continue. All contributions are now tax deductible as the Association was finally granted full tax free status as a 501C(3) non-profit charity last year.
-In February of this year Debbie was interviewed on “Good Morning Acapulco” and was granted a private audience with the President of the State of Guerrero. This resulted in an introduction to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services who has agreed to help with the supply of some surgical materials and possibly temporary personnel – but no money. A start!! Televisa, the station that owns the Good Morning Acapulco show, continues to repeat showing the interview which is contributing to the walk in demand.
The demand and awareness of the problem is happening. We need funds to execute. It is impossible for Dr Gomez to handle this out of his own pockets. The Association needs to fulfill its mission to help fund this free clinic and contribute to the solution of the street and beach animal problem. This can be successful with your continued help.
Marv Thornton
Vice President
Animal Care Association of Mexico Inc.
434-286-9504
2009 was a slow start up year, we hope, caused by the terrible economy in both the US and Mexico. Contributions from the US simply were inadequate to put a dent in the current situation. Thousands of sick dogs and cats continue to roam the streets and beaches. However, this did not stop our spay and neuter efforts in Acapulco.
-Multiple attempts were made to engage the major tourist hotels to participate in the program and support us financially by contributing a modest amount annually. In exchange we would remove stray dogs and cats from their property and the beaches fronting their property. This is a chronic issue as tourist constantly complain about the wild starving dogs and cats living on the beaches. So far these efforts have not had a positive result.
-We continue to partner with Bayer Corporation in their effort to educate school children in the care and respect for animals in general and specifically the care of their own dogs and cats. It is our joint belief that the solution to the stray/street animal problem starts with the young. A complete mind set and cultural change is needed and this may take 2-3 generations to accomplish. A number of schools have asked Debbie to speak to their classes in English in hopes it will help educate the children regarding the animal problem but also help with their English studies. This may occur by way of Skype of some other form of telecommunication and in person when Debbie is in Mexico each year
-Our veterinary clinic, owned and operated by Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque, continues to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats at no charge. This entails receiving calls for help, taking time to drive and catch these wild animals and returning them to the clinic where in many cases they must be treated for any number of conditions before neutering surgery can take place. Many of these animals are starving and suffering from a myriad of diseases . Some are even pregnant. The care of these animals may require several weeks and all of this is hopefully covered by your contributions. Efforts to find homes for these animals is also on-going
-Dr Gomez has been attempting to grow awareness to this problem through multiple TV appearances, presentations at social gatherings, membership in clubs such as Rotary and the like. He has achieved some early success by earning pledges for assistance from the Rotary Club and the Guerrero Department of Health. These efforts are on-going and are showing signs of success—so much so that the demand at the clinic, for walk in free spay and neutering , cannot be met due to lack of funds.
-100% of all US contributions have been used to support the Acapulco clinic. The officers of the Association take no money and contribute all their time and travel expense to the Association. This will continue. All contributions are now tax deductible as the Association was finally granted full tax free status as a 501C(3) non-profit charity last year.
-In February of this year Debbie was interviewed on “Good Morning Acapulco” and was granted a private audience with the President of the State of Guerrero. This resulted in an introduction to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services who has agreed to help with the supply of some surgical materials and possibly temporary personnel – but no money. A start!! Televisa, the station that owns the Good Morning Acapulco show, continues to repeat showing the interview which is contributing to the walk in demand.
The demand and awareness of the problem is happening. We need funds to execute. It is impossible for Dr Gomez to handle this out of his own pockets. The Association needs to fulfill its mission to help fund this free clinic and contribute to the solution of the street and beach animal problem. This can be successful with your continued help.
Marv Thornton
Vice President
Animal Care Association of Mexico Inc.
434-286-9504