Question: What do I do with a cat or dog I found on the street?

Answer:

Although PEACE’s “Ayuda a los Animales” found homes for approximately 200 cats and dogs in 2009, it is not a rescue organization. Our mission and focus is sterilization of dogs and cats.

PEACE sterilized more than 3,000 dogs and cats in 2009. A mass sterilization program will drastically reduce the number of dogs and cats on the streets being hit by cars, poisoned, starving, taken to the Acopio (pound) and reproducing. There aren’t enough homes for all the animals being born.

If you see an animal that is sick or injured and are willing to pay the vet bill, please contact Dr. Juan Tamyo at 224-0249 – 350 Viena in Colonia Versalles. Or - Sabueso’ s - 1198 Columbia; Phone - 222-5775; Emergencies 044-322-292-7510 There may be other vets who can make location visits.

If you have found a cat or kitten and cannot adopt it, please consider taking on some of the rescue costs, i.e., tests, vaccinations and/or sterilizations, if there is not a free clinic near you. Free clinic schedules are listed on www.peacemexico.org and on www.spcapv.blogspot.com

There are vets who give discounts for people who rescue cats and dogs. Please see “FAQ” tab at www.spcapv.blogspot.com. The Acopio (pound) charges 104 pesos per surgery. Appointment is necessary. 293-3690.

No animal-related charity in Puerto Vallarta has the manpower, money or means to rescue, attend to and find homes for all the street cats and dogs animals in Puerto Vallarta.

Following is some information that will hopefully help you achieve a happy ending for the animal you’ve rescued and cannot keep:

• Ask friends and neighbors if they would like to adopt it.
• Place a free add in Mano a Mano – manoamano@prodigy.net.mx
• Send your contact information, pet description and photo, if possible, to blogspots and newspaper editors: spcapv.blogspot.com; elrincondelhueso.blogspot.com; silvialvarezb@hotmail.com; Herald Tribune c/o heatherwilson@hotmail.com; PV Mirror c/o Allyna Vineberg at pkvia@yahoo.com; Wayne McLeod c/o vallartatoday@yahoo.com; SPCAPV blogspot c/o Sandra Briones at shojomanga@gmail.com; spcapv@gmail.com
• Place posters around town with photo, description and your contact information.
• Sit in front of places that have heavy foot traffic with rescued and sterilized animal.
• Contact SPCA de PV coordinator for cat foster homes, Marjorie Stevenson (marjorie@airanimation.ca) Sometimes a foster home will be available.
• Take cat or kitten to a free PEACE spay/neuter clinic and release it where found. Clinic schedule listed on www.peacemexico.org, also on www.spcapv.blogspot.com All animals must be 8 weeks old. If it is a nursing animal, 8 weeks after birth of litter . Mama and babies can all be sterilized at the same time.
• Take cat or kitten to a PEACE adoption day in front of MEGA in Bucerias. Felines must be sterilized and in good health. You will need to take it home with you if not adopted. Contact sioux4noff@gmail.com to confirm dates and times. If you want to assist in trapping feral cats, please contact Janice Chatterton – Janice@haciendasanangel.com for instructions and traps. Cats and kittens will be sterilized courtesy SPCA de PV. You will need to release them where found and return traps. ANIMALS TO BE ADOPTED SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE STERILIZED FIRST - OTHERWISE, WE ARE RECYCLING HOMELESS ANIMALS. If you have found a dog or puppy, most of the above information applies, plus:
• If there is space available and if the dog meets requirements for admission, refuge may be possible at the SPCA de PV’s “Casita de Guadalupe.” This is a half-way home between rescue and adoption. Adoptions take place at the library (Biblioteca los Mangos) on Saturdays between 10 AM and 2 PM. Please contact Janice Chatterton, manager of La Casita de Guadalupe. Janice is a co-founder of the SPCA de PV and is its treasurer. Janice@haciendasanangel.com
• I have a list of a few people who will foster canines. Please contact me directly and I’ll pass on request.

For other animal-related questions, including vet recommendations, information on transporting animals to the U.S. and Canada, many answers can be found at www.spcapv.com on the “FAQ” tab.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me and for wanting to help an animal. The responsibility of rescuing it began with you.

Gretchen DeWitt
Board of Directors
www.peacemexico.org