The very large creature with a shark-like dorsal fin swam slowly towards us. There was no panic or rush of adrenaline. At that moment, we weren´t swimming in the bay, we were in a panga. Karla´s guess was that the fish was a curious basking shark, the second largest fish in the water after the whale shark.
The females are larger than the males, measuring 9-10 meters long. Both sexes can be seen solitary and are harmless, as they only feed on plankton. Migratory fish, they prefer temperate waters between 8-14 centigrade (46-57 Fahrenheit). Current water temperature in Banderas Bay is 82-84 Fahrenheit. We passed by a large red tide, sometimes the result of warm water, and dangerous for marine life. Also dangerous for marine life - speed boats. A very large turtle lay still in the water, its shell split open. Underneath the dead turtle, small fish were feeding.
On a more recent outing to celebrate Karla´s birthday, shiny, silvery tuna were flipping up out of the water as blue-footed boobies and terns were swooping down to feed on them. While snorkeling, Karla encountered a drowsy turtle that seemed to be completely nonplussed by her proximity. Minutes later, the turtle blinked its eyes, gave a push with its flippers, and disappeared.
Motoring back to Boca, close to shore near Mismaloya, we encountered a school of at least twenty móbulas, which belong to the ray genus. Second only in size to the manta ray, móbulas have been measured as large as 17 feet in width. (Mantas can reach 23 feet in width). Also related to the shark, móbulas are often called "devil fish," and are known for their sensational breeches. None of the ones we saw were breeching, but were swimming in a very closely formed pod, looking like an otherworldly aquatic army.
High above us, a flock of eight or nine guacamayas (macaws) circled gracefully over a parched, brown hilltop. Too distant to see their brilliant rainbow colors, they were recognizable by their size and their calls. Almost the only splashes of green now in the foothills of the Sierras are palms and the poisonous, green fruit-bearing manzanilla trees. Air temperature - 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius- with 75 % humidity. Still waiting for rain. There have only been a couple of light sprinkles during the last two very hot weeks.
Josefina, one of the adult daughters of a neighbor, rang my doorbell one afternoon to say that the woman upstairs from her had moved and left two Chihuahua mixes behind. I called Colette Zarry, owner of Colina clinic, Langostinos restaurant and an avid dog rescuer, who immediately said she would take them.
They were easy to find on the described street. I delivered them to Colette, who had the two tested for diseases (negative) and spayed. One of the dogs - and it´s likely they are sisters, was pregnant. Both are playful, sociable and for adoption. Vet´s estimate of ages - 1.5-2 years old. Contact: Colina Clinic via FB.
LAS VARAS ("vara" = stick-like bush) is about a two-hour drive north in the nearby state of Nayarit. Las Varas is only a 22-minute drive from Chacala, a little beach town that is experiencing the arrival of upscale yoga retreats and small hotels.
A recent census lists las Varas as having a population of 30,000 people. Most locals work primarily in agriculture - beans, pineapples, mangos and tobacco. Roads entering and leaving las Varas are lined with fruit stands selling "cocos frios" yaka, banana bread and candied fruit, which is why it is known as "Fruit Town." This is the point at which drivers turn off to the west for San Blas.
The juncture at las Varas is also the beginning of the slow, two-lane curving road through the mountains heading east to Guadalajara. Projected completion of the new highway from Riviera Nayarit to Guadalajara is 2022, cutting the drive from 4-5 hours to 2.5 hours. A portion of the new highway, from Compostela to Jala, is now open.
This was a first-time clinic for PEACEAnimals in las Varas, which is filled with dogs and cats. Because of the long drive, regular volunteer Frank Ohly and I didn´t attend. Locals provided the vet team with food and lodging, plus funds for the extra gasoline and driving time.
STERILIZATIONS AT LAS VARAS, NAYARIT - MAY 23-26
Male dogs - 7; Female dogs - 75; Male cats - 17; Female cats - 43
TOTAL: 142 (The ratio of male to female dogs was by far the lowest we´ve ever seen).
No terminated pregnancies.
DONATIONS AT LAS VARAS: 820 PESOS
THIS CLINIC WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT OF $10,000 USD FROM A FOUNDATION THAT WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
DONATIONS TO PEACEANIMALS:
Lilka Jones - $17 USD
Anonymous customer at Choco Diva - 100 pesos
Vallarta Adventures - 5,000 pesos worth of vet supplies (monthly November-May)
Amazon Smile - $57.44 USD (January 1-March 31, 2018)
Greater Good - $73 USD
LA FLORESTA ("the forest") We have been to this cobble-streeted colonia northeast of centro Vallarta in the past. No forest in sight, but many of the streets are lined with shade trees. This past week, the clinic took place in the empty, front section of a dark blue cement home belonging to a fireman relative of (Santa) Elena.
Elena was there with a truckload of neighbors´ dogs, and Angelica of the AngeliCAT refuge was there with ten rescued kittens for future adoption. At forty-seven animals, there was no more space for animals by the time I arrived at 8:45 on Thursday. Only a few years ago, we had to go door to door in colonias asking people to please let us sterilize their pets.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS...It has been a week of parades, bands, mariachis, concerts and folkloric dance performances celebrating the founding of Puerto Vallarta on May 31st, 100 years ago. Traffic in centro, where the events have been taking place, has been very congested, with many thoroughfares closed. On Thursday morning, because of the centennial parade. the ride back to centro took 80 minutes versus the 23 minutes it took to arrive at the clinic in la Floresta. Almost all the routes into centro were closed. That evening at 11, international superstar singer, Pepe Aguilar performed on the malecón, followed by fireworks at midnight.
STERILIZATIONS IN LA FLORESTA - MAY 30-JUNE 2:
MALE DOGS - 22; FEMALE DOGS - 41; MALE CATS - 45;
FEMALE CATS - 47 TOTAL: 155
PLUS 1 PREGNANCY TERMINATED FOR DOG WITH 7 FETUSES.
DONATIONS AT LA FLORESTA: 1,720 PESOS
THIS IS THE SECOND CLINIC MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT OF $10,000 USD FROM A FOUNDATION THAT WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
The mission of PEACEAnimals is to end the future suffering of cats and dogs. The most efficient way to do this is via a massive, free spay/neuter program. In 2017, the mobile clinics of PEACEAnimals sterilized 5,357 cats and dogs, primarily in the area of the Bay of Banderas (Puerto Vallarta).
FOR PHOTOS/NAMES OF RESCUED DOGS THAT NEED HOMES, THE CITY SHELTER (FORMER CENTRO DE ACOPIO) HAS A CURRENT ROSTER THAT INCLUDES PHOTOS, NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS.
PARA FOTOS, NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE PERROS EN EL ALBERGUE (ANTES CENTRO DE ACOPIO) QUE NECESITAN HOGARES: https://perrospv.
June 6-9 - PUERTO VALLARTA - col. las Aralias - atrás del parque los Sauces (calle Pavo Real en la bodega de Sofi)
June 13-16 MUNICIPALITY OF PUERTO VALLARTA -las Palmas - Francisco Villa S/N mercadito municipal en la delegación
https://www.facebook.com/cualespayneuterclinics/
http://www.peaceanimals.org/volunteer_1/volunteer_duties
WE NEED DONATIONS OF USED AND NEW KENNELS FOR CATS AND DOGS OF ALL SIZES. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE USED OR NEW COLLARS AND LEASHES TO DOG OWNERS WHO BRING THEIR PETS TO THE CLINICS.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:
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| BASKING SHARK |
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| KARLA Y TORTUGA (VIVA) |
On a more recent outing to celebrate Karla´s birthday, shiny, silvery tuna were flipping up out of the water as blue-footed boobies and terns were swooping down to feed on them. While snorkeling, Karla encountered a drowsy turtle that seemed to be completely nonplussed by her proximity. Minutes later, the turtle blinked its eyes, gave a push with its flippers, and disappeared.
Motoring back to Boca, close to shore near Mismaloya, we encountered a school of at least twenty móbulas, which belong to the ray genus. Second only in size to the manta ray, móbulas have been measured as large as 17 feet in width. (Mantas can reach 23 feet in width). Also related to the shark, móbulas are often called "devil fish," and are known for their sensational breeches. None of the ones we saw were breeching, but were swimming in a very closely formed pod, looking like an otherworldly aquatic army.
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| MÓBULA |
High above us, a flock of eight or nine guacamayas (macaws) circled gracefully over a parched, brown hilltop. Too distant to see their brilliant rainbow colors, they were recognizable by their size and their calls. Almost the only splashes of green now in the foothills of the Sierras are palms and the poisonous, green fruit-bearing manzanilla trees. Air temperature - 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius- with 75 % humidity. Still waiting for rain. There have only been a couple of light sprinkles during the last two very hot weeks.
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| ABANDONADAS POR SU DUEÑA, RESCATADAS Y PARA ADOPCIÓN. TIENEN 1.5-2 AÑOS DE EDAD Y YA ESTERILIZADAS. CONTACTO: COLINA CLINIC POR FB. |
Josefina, one of the adult daughters of a neighbor, rang my doorbell one afternoon to say that the woman upstairs from her had moved and left two Chihuahua mixes behind. I called Colette Zarry, owner of Colina clinic, Langostinos restaurant and an avid dog rescuer, who immediately said she would take them.
LAS VARAS ("vara" = stick-like bush) is about a two-hour drive north in the nearby state of Nayarit. Las Varas is only a 22-minute drive from Chacala, a little beach town that is experiencing the arrival of upscale yoga retreats and small hotels.
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| CHACALA, NAYARIT |
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| PASANDO LAS VARAS, NAYARIT PASSING MANY FRUIT STANDS ON THE ROAD NORTH photo credit: Amy Welch |
The juncture at las Varas is also the beginning of the slow, two-lane curving road through the mountains heading east to Guadalajara. Projected completion of the new highway from Riviera Nayarit to Guadalajara is 2022, cutting the drive from 4-5 hours to 2.5 hours. A portion of the new highway, from Compostela to Jala, is now open.
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| COCOS FRÍOS - LAS VARAS COLD COCONUT WATER Photo Credit: Amy Welch |
STERILIZATIONS AT LAS VARAS, NAYARIT - MAY 23-26
Male dogs - 7; Female dogs - 75; Male cats - 17; Female cats - 43
TOTAL: 142 (The ratio of male to female dogs was by far the lowest we´ve ever seen).
No terminated pregnancies.
DONATIONS AT LAS VARAS: 820 PESOS
THIS CLINIC WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT OF $10,000 USD FROM A FOUNDATION THAT WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
DONATIONS TO PEACEANIMALS:
Lilka Jones - $17 USD
Anonymous customer at Choco Diva - 100 pesos
Vallarta Adventures - 5,000 pesos worth of vet supplies (monthly November-May)
Amazon Smile - $57.44 USD (January 1-March 31, 2018)
Greater Good - $73 USD
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| LA FLORESTA A UN LADO DE LA CLÍNICA - PERROS DEL TECHO - UNA VISTA COMÚN - Y A VECES ESTÁN SIN SOMBRA NI REFUGIO DE LA LLUVIA.. ROOFTOP DOGS NEXT TO THE CLINIC IN LA FLORESTA A COMMON SIGHT IN MEXICO, THEY SOMETIMES LIVE WITHOUT SHELTER FROM SUN AND RAIN. |
LA FLORESTA ("the forest") We have been to this cobble-streeted colonia northeast of centro Vallarta in the past. No forest in sight, but many of the streets are lined with shade trees. This past week, the clinic took place in the empty, front section of a dark blue cement home belonging to a fireman relative of (Santa) Elena.
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| (SANTA) ELENA - CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
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| LA FLORESTA - REGALANDO CORREAS, LIBRITOS DE PEACEANIMALS EDUCACIÓNAL Y COLORES |
ONE HUNDRED YEARS...It has been a week of parades, bands, mariachis, concerts and folkloric dance performances celebrating the founding of Puerto Vallarta on May 31st, 100 years ago. Traffic in centro, where the events have been taking place, has been very congested, with many thoroughfares closed. On Thursday morning, because of the centennial parade. the ride back to centro took 80 minutes versus the 23 minutes it took to arrive at the clinic in la Floresta. Almost all the routes into centro were closed. That evening at 11, international superstar singer, Pepe Aguilar performed on the malecón, followed by fireworks at midnight.
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| PUERTO VALLARTA CELEBRANDO 100 AÑOS |
MALE DOGS - 22; FEMALE DOGS - 41; MALE CATS - 45;
FEMALE CATS - 47 TOTAL: 155
PLUS 1 PREGNANCY TERMINATED FOR DOG WITH 7 FETUSES.
DONATIONS AT LA FLORESTA: 1,720 PESOS
THIS IS THE SECOND CLINIC MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS GRANT OF $10,000 USD FROM A FOUNDATION THAT WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
The mission of PEACEAnimals is to end the future suffering of cats and dogs. The most efficient way to do this is via a massive, free spay/neuter program. In 2017, the mobile clinics of PEACEAnimals sterilized 5,357 cats and dogs, primarily in the area of the Bay of Banderas (Puerto Vallarta).
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| LLEGANDO A LA CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA CON GATITOS |
FOR PHOTOS/NAMES OF RESCUED DOGS THAT NEED HOMES, THE CITY SHELTER (FORMER CENTRO DE ACOPIO) HAS A CURRENT ROSTER THAT INCLUDES PHOTOS, NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS.
PARA FOTOS, NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE PERROS EN EL ALBERGUE (ANTES CENTRO DE ACOPIO) QUE NECESITAN HOGARES: https://perrospv.
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| CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA - |
RAISING FUNDS AND VISIBILITY: Three hundred PEACEAnimals blue mesh shopping/beach bags with extra-long straps were ordered and a few are still available for purchase. All profits go directly to cost of clinics. The PEACEAnimals logo and website are on one side and the familiar mermaid on the other. Bags are 200 pesos each and can be purchased at:
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BOLSAS DE PEACEANIMALS EN VENTA
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Lucy´s CuCu Cabana -295 Basilio Badillo (closed until October 25)
Choco Museo - Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 128 in centro (across from the malecón)
Galeria Uno - 561 Morelos - Centro
Colleción la Bohemia - Constitución and Basilio Badillo
Cork & Bottle - Los Mercados - Aquiles Serdan 265
Charlie's Sport Fishing and Tours- Local 8B -Marina Vallarta
Galeria Dante - 269 Basilio Badillo
La Cruz Inn - at the plaza in la Cruz, Nayarit
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens (gift shop)
Salon Divas - Melchor Ocampo 51 - Bucerias
Salon Divas - Melchor Ocampo 51 - Bucerias
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| CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
YOU CAN DONATE TO PEACEANIMALS WITH YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES. Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by their customers. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/
Troy Valens - Owner of Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey restaurants -
$10 USD gift certificates to Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey for "sharing" AmazonSmile post.
$10 USD gift certificates to Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey for "sharing" AmazonSmile post.
GREATERGOOD - PLEASE CLICK! Your daily clicks or direct donations help animals, people and the planet.
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| (SANTA) ELENA - CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE, FB PAGE OR BLOG FOR NEW DATES AND LOCATIONS OF CLINICS. FAVOR DE CHECAR NUESTRO WEBSITE, PÁGINA EN FB O BLOG PARA NUEVAS FECHAS Y HOGARES PARA LAS CLÍNICAS GRATIS.
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| CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
SCHEDULE/HORARIO:
June 6-9 - PUERTO VALLARTA - col. las Aralias - atrás del parque los Sauces (calle Pavo Real en la bodega de Sofi)
June 13-16 MUNICIPALITY OF PUERTO VALLARTA -las Palmas - Francisco Villa S/N mercadito municipal en la delegación
June 20-23- PUERTO VALLARTA - ColoniaVolcanes - in the school (en la escuela)
June 27-30 - Valle Dorado, Nayarit
July 4-7 - Altavela, Nayarit
July 11-14 - PUERTO VALLARTA - Colonia Mangal
July18-21 - la Misión, Nayarit
June 27-30 - Valle Dorado, Nayarit
July 4-7 - Altavela, Nayarit
July 11-14 - PUERTO VALLARTA - Colonia Mangal
July18-21 - la Misión, Nayarit
DESIGNATED LINE WITH RECORDING ADVISING LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS – ONLY IN SPANISH –
(322) 113 3955
TO REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE, CALL THE CENTRO DE ACOPIO - 322-293-3690 OR THE POLICE - 911 - AND ASK FOR THE "GREEN PATROL" ("PATROLLA VERDE")
CUALE SPAY/NEUTER FREE CLINICS - ARE HELD AT THE ISLA CUALE IN THE CULTURAL CENTER - FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH. CLINICS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AT 7 AM. VET TEAM IS PETS FOR LIFE. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CUALE SPAY/NEUTER FREE CLINICS - ARE HELD AT THE ISLA CUALE IN THE CULTURAL CENTER - FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH. CLINICS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AT 7 AM. VET TEAM IS PETS FOR LIFE. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.facebook.com/cualespayneuterclinics/
COLINA FREE SPAY&NEUTER CLINIC - Every Sunday at 9 AM. Recommend arrive 7:30-8 AM. First 15-20 animals to arrive will be accepted. Address: 496 Venustiano Carranza in colonia Emiliano Zapata. Clinic is in front of Carnicería Colin, between Naranjo and Jacarandas streets. For more information: Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic on Facebook.
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| ESPERANDO SU CIRUGÍA - CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
LOCATIONS NEEDED FOR CLINICS. REQUIRED: WATER, ELECTRICITY, BATHROOM AND PARKING AVAILABILITY.
NOTE: PEACEAnimals, per our agreement with independent contractors, Pets for Life, is obliged to pay extra for driving time and gasoline for areas outside Puerto Vallarta. We ask that private or government groups pay those extra expenses.
PEACEAnimals does not buy advertising or pay for posters, flyers, megaphone announcers or locations. All monies raised go directly to actual costs of the clinics. Dr. Poli, as director of PEACEAnimals, a Mexican AC (non-profit) and Pets for Life, a Mexican SC (business), selects clinic locations.
All pet registration forms with signatures of owners or rescuers are submitted by Dr. Poli to the local department of health.
Clinic schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website: www.peaceanimals.org, on this blog and on the PEACEAnimals FaceBook page.
LUNCH DONATIONS NEEDED FOR VET TEAM.
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| NECESITAMOS DONACIÓNES DE ALMUERZOS PARA EL EQUIPO, POR FAVOR. |
PEACEAnimals has a lunch budget of 70 pesos per vet team member (four persons) per day - 4 days a week.
Please consider donating lunches for them, and please advise so we can create a lunch schedule. By having lunches donated, these savings can used for purchases of clinic supplies.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AT THE CLINICS. We are almost always short. Please contact Leslie Caratachea via FB or infopeaceanimals@gmail.com, or just drop by.
FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING:
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| FRANK OHLY, NUMERO UNO VOLUNTARIO - CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
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| REGISTRANDO MASCOTAS EN LA FLORESTA |
If directions needed, please call our dedicated line (directions are only in Spanish) or refer to our website or this blog: 113 3955
COST FOR ONE SURGERY WEEK CLINIC IS APPROXIMATELY $1,800 USD.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION VIA CHECK, CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, BEQUEST OR STOCK TRANSFER. Note: Stocks are transferred at full value without the donating stock owner being taxed.
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PEACEANIMALS VET TEAM - EL EQUIPO DE PEACEANIMALS - DR. ANTHONY, LESLIE, DR. POLI Y DR. PACHECO
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PEACEAnimals is under the umbrella of Banderas Bay Charities, Inc., a US 501 (c)(3) charity located in Portland, Oregon.
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| ANGELICA - DUEÑA DE ALGEICAT- UN REFUGIO PARA GATOS Y GATITOS RESCATADOS Y PARA ADOPCIÓN. ELLA TRAJO 10 A LA CLÍNICA PARA ESTERILIZACIÓN Y LUEGO PARA ADOPCIÓN. |
Please make payments payable to either BBC INC or Banderas Bay Charities, Inc. Donations are tax deductible and should be earmarked for PEACEAnimals.
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| CLÍNICA EN LA FLORESTA |
Banderas Bay Charities, Inc (BBC, Inc) offers tax-deductible receipts in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Amy Welch, Secretary-Treasurer amywelchpdx@comcast.net
505 N Tomahawk Is Dr Portland, OR 97217
503 285 4007
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.
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Gretchen DeWitt – President – Board of Directors
gretchen@peaceanimals.org
https://www.facebook.com/PeaceAnimals
###########################################
http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol
Los animales no necesitan tener una camada para completar su ciclo vital, puesto que no existe una relación consciente con la reproducción como parte necesaria de su bienestar emocional.
PARA FOTOS,/NOMBRES Y INFORMACIÓN DE LOS PERROS EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO QUE NECESITAN HOGARES:
PARA REPORTAR ABUSO A LOS ANIMALES- LLAME A LA POLICA - 911 - Y PIDA LA PATROLLA VERDE o al centro de acopio 293 3690
LINEA DESIGNADA PARA DIRECIÓNES Y COMO LLEGAR (EN ESPAÑOL) A LAS CLÍNICAS CADA SEMANA: (322) 113 3955
NECESITAMOS LUGARES PARA NUESTRAS CLÍNICAS EN COLONIAS Y PUEBLOS. PRECISO: BAÑO, ELECTRICIDAD, AGUA Y PARA ESTACIONARSE.
INFORMACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL SOBRE LA ESTERILIZACIÓN PARA MASCOTAS Y LAS CLÍNICAS GRATIS EN NUESTRO WEBSITE - www.peaceanimals.org
NECESITAMOS SU APOYO. FAVOR DE DONAR ALMUERZOS PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO. NOS CUESTA 1,120 PESOS LA SEMANA PARA NUESTRO EQUIPO DE 4 PERSONAS. CON SUS DONACIÓNES DE COMIDA, PODEMOS USAR ESTE DINERO PARA SUMINISTROS. FAVOR DE CONFIRMAR CUÁL DÍA DE LA SEMANA PUEDEN. LESLIE VA HACER EL HORARIO PARA ALMUERZOS. GRACIAS.
TAMBIÉN NECESITAMOS VOLUNTARIOS, POR FAVOR.
http://www.peaceanimals.org/espa_ol/protocolo_para_voluntarios
GRACIAS POR SU INTERÉS Y SU APOYO.
Gretchen DeWitt – Presidente de la mesa directiva
gretchen@peaceanimals.org
We have volunteered at at least 4 clinics in Las Varas in the past. Always brutal conditions. If you find the funding again we can get help between Nov - March.
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