[News Boquete] Amigos de Animales - February newsletter

Our mission is to provide low cost spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and to promote the general welfare of animals in our community and surrounding areas.   Si prefiere recibir los correos electrónicos en español, haga clic aquí. AMIGOS DE ANIMALES BOQUETE PANAMÁ   MARCH 2023 NEWSLETTER PLEASURES OF PANAMA FUNDRAISER - TICKET SALES ARE UNDERWAY   Ticket sales are underway on our annual Pleasures of Panama fundraiser.   1st price - hotels and tours in Panama City and Boquete, flights to/from David, $1,000 toward airfare to Panama City, $200 toward meals (or $1,500 cash)   2nd prize - 4 day island hopping in the San Blas Islands (or $500 cash)   3rd prize - 2 night stay at Tranquilo Bay Resort in Bocas del Toro. Click here for more details. Tickets are $100 and only 200 will be sold. The drawing will be held on April 15th. Contact Carol Cardinale-Santana at cardinalesantana@gmail.com if you have any questions. Purchase tickets here FEBRUARY CLINIC   On Sunday February 26th, Amigos de Animales spayed or neutered 308 animals, 158 dogs and 150 cats with five vets and one trainee working.  We have now spayed or neutered over 24,000 animals!   67% of the animals were female and 45% came from Boquete. 223 animals were brought in by owners and 85 came from collectors.   MORE ANIMALS ARE NEEDED FOR OUR MARCH 26th CLINIC   For the past few years, we have had a constant waiting list of 300-500 animals. We currently have less than 300, so we need more dogs and cats for our clinic to be held on March 26th.   Historically, about 2/3rds of our animals are females. Males should be neutered too for the following reasons: • Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking • Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents • Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease • Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies • Decreases aggressive behavior, including dog bites • Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives • Males can impregnate 7-10 females per day   Please contact Rosa by March 17th at 6563-8686 or boqueteanimales@gmail.com to get the link to register. Or you can register directly by clicking here.   THANK YOU TO SPCA INTERNATIONAL   A big thanks to SPCA International for a $3,000 grant toward our Food Program. Since 2012 we have received $19,500 in grants from SPCAI plus two shipments of veterinary supplies and drugs. MIKE'S GLOBAL GRILL   Thanks also go out to Mike & Heidi who own Mike's Global Grill. For years they have been making pizzas for our vets. This was Mike's first trip to our clinic! We appreciate both of you! FAREWELL TO ROB MUNDIE   We very recently lost one of our wonderful pre op volunteers, Rob Mundie, to cancer.  Rob was originally from Zimbabwe, but had lived in the United States for many years.  Rob, and his wife Pippa, moved to Boquete about 2 years ago and both became well loved by many here in the area. Rob worked the computer in Pre op, with Pippa by his side filling syringes for the animals. He was a joy to work with, always with a smile on his face and a funny comment or observation.   Rob and Pippa recently celebrated their 44 th anniversary.  Their love and the joy they had was felt by all those around them.  Pippa lovingly cared for Rob until the end. We will miss you Rob. GET TO KNOW OUR AMIGOS DE ANIMALES FAMILY This month we're featuring one of our founders:   Name: Judy Sacco   Your position/title with AdA:  Recovery supervisor   How long have you been working with AdA?  I have been here since the very first spay/neuter clinic in June 2005 Can you tell us a little bit more about what you do with AdA?:  I have done almost everything: making appointments and registration in the early days; being in the original group of founders of the Foundation in 2007; board member as Secretary for a few years; recovery; assisting the vets during surgery; and supervising recovery. I have also been the grant writer and have obtained $25,000 in grants for Animales.   Why would you encourage others to volunteer here with AdA?  If you want meaningful work making a difference in the lives of cats and dogs and their caregivers, there are many volunteer opportunities where Amigos de Animales can use your skills and even teach you new ones. There are many ways volunteers can contribute besides working at the clinics.   Click here for the rest of Judy's story and more pictures on our website.  GIFT CERTIFICATES   We have made gift certificates in the denomination of $10 and $20, the cost of an individual sterilization for a cat or a dog. Do you have a friend or neighbor or worker who has an animal needing to be sterilized? Please tell them that the procedure will make their animals safer and free them from the worry of the related illnesses or injuries that might ensue with cat or dog fights. These certificates are an easy way to help. They are available at the Animales table at the BCP Tuesday Market or at our clinics. You also can send an email to Cary at Animalesdeboquete@gmail.com KIBBLE & BITS:   •  Food Drive: We are continuing to feed needy dogs and cats in Boquete at a cost of over $1,300 per month.  You can donate by clicking here   •  Membership Drive: Sign up for your annual Amigos de Animales membership and receive a great car magnet. Membership is still only $10. You can sign up at the BCP Tuesday Market or at a clinic.   •  Gift certificates: We have made gift certificates in the denomination of $10 and $20, the cost of an individual sterilization for a cat or a dog. Give your neighbors, gardeners and maids certificates for their dogs and cats.  Let's help each other help each other!   These certificates are an easy way to help. They are available at the Animales table at the BCP Tuesday Market or at the clinics   •  2024 Calendar: We've sold out of the 2023 calendars. Contact Larry & Jennifer Pascal to get your animal or ad in the 2024 calendar. landjpascal@msn.com   •  Education program: We are visiting local schools to educate students about proper care for their pets, and the importance of spaying and neutering animals. Please email Katrina at katrinakneebone@gmail.com if you can help.   •  Spay or neuter your animal: we get new requests daily, but we are still following MINSA rules and doing clinics by appointment only. Contact Rosa, our appointment coordinator, at 6563-8686 to be added to our list.   •  Rescue/adoption?: The mission of Amigos de Animales is strictly spay and neuter, we are not a rescue, adoption or veterinary service.  Please do not ask Rosa about any other service, but there are many other rescue groups in and around Boquete   •  We have been updating our website - check it out here   •  Animales is always looking for stories and pictures to share in this newsletter.   Please contact Alicia at akcleavenger@hotmail.com if you are interested. MARK YOUR CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS   • Training - you can watch our training here.  We have training sessions for new volunteers Saturday at 9:45 the day before each clinic. Contact Alicia if you have any questions.   • Clinics - Sunday March 26, 2023  (held the last Sunday of each month - we are dark in November and December)   • Casino Night - postponed until June - raffle prizes needed, watch for more details  WAYS TO HELP AMIGOS DE ANIMALES:      •  Donations:  Any amount will help.   Click here for ways you can make a donation   •  If you would like to volunteer for Animales, contact Alicia or Raquel at volunteer@aadab.org •  If you can donate dog or cat food, please drop it off at the Amigos de Boquete office in Alto Dorado or contact akcleavenger@hotmail.com •  Don't forget, the Animales Events Center is available to rent for meetings and gatherings of any kind. Contact Sherry Shirritt at sshirritt@gmail.com or 6858-3607. Here are statistics from the February clinic: Here are 2023 statistics through February:    2023 Totals Animales Totals-to-Date Thank you for your support!  We could not do what we do without all of our incredible donors, sponsors and volunteers!