Manchitas, a beautiful girl who needs a forever home — quickly!

Manchitas has been a regular visitor at a local school for her entire life. She showed up in the callejon (alleyway) behind the main building over 2 years ago. Julia S., a former Ayuda volunteer and teacher at the school fell in love with her but couldn’t take another dog into her own home fulltime. We discussed the circumstances and decided that Manchitas was capable of remaining on the street if she received daily care. She received our standard care package of treatments that includes sterilization and Julia pledged to monitor as well as feed her.

There have been threats made towards Manchitas.

This is now a desperate situation.

Please help us find Manchitas a place to live in peace.

Francisco adoted Bubu when she was 3 months old; he has given her a wonderful home in San Antonio Palopo. Thanks to Francisco, Bubu has been sterilized and has completed her initial vaccination series.

Happy New Year, dear friends and supporters! The final months of 2011 were full of activities wrapped around a whopping rain storm and seasonal fiestas. Truly a whirlwind of surgeries, treatments, meetings, financial planning for 2012, end the year reports, etc.

One of the most satisfying accomplishments over the past year has been the development of relationships with three Guatemalan vets in 3 different cities. Through our partnerships, these vets provide negotiated low-cost professional services to Ayuda patients. We are happy to report that we have been able to hold our sterilization costs to $20-25 per animal.

September brought our annual vaccination/re-vaccination campaign.  Armed with copies of spreadsheets listing members of the Ayuda family, volunteers hit the streets in search of the “kids”. While some of us were vaccinating, others were fundraising to ensure enough vaccine to complete the campaign. We raised 93% of our fundraising goal for this campaign and went well over our goal to provide 300 combo vaccinations.

The only hitch we encountered during our campaign was that Centro de Salud (Health Dept) ran out of rabies vaccine in the middle of the month. To date, they are still without this life-saving vaccine which means that Ayuda is out, too. We built solid partnerships with the Centro offices located in the different villages in which we currently work to provide all of our rabies vaccines for free. This is the first time we have encountered a complete outage and hope that the federal office will send us vaccines soon.

We were visited by a 14-member World Vets team in October. Although we lost a clinic day due to weather conditions, the 2 days we spent in San Pedro went very well. They left us with a huge duffel bag and box of supplies that have helped us continue our daily activities.  We look forward to the next team’s arrival in April 2012.

During November and December we were back at our normal monthly run rate for sterilizations, vaccinations and medical treatments. Ayuda prinipals spent time preparing our annual financial report, new grant requests and cultivating a new relationship within the Santa Cruz community. The mayor’s team along with local leaders have welcomed Ayuda into their village to begin work in 2012. As a gesture of goodwill towards our partnership, we donated 25 dog combos, a large bottle of wormer, flea/tick treatments and a small bottle of Ivermectin to the Centro de Salud representative, Evelyn. She showed genuine interest in helping Ayuda with the local dogs and cats. Evelyn is responsible for injecting rabies vaccines for the CS office so there was very little training involved to bring her up to speed. It was great to find such a wonderful resource!

A meeting with the Mayor-elect for Panajachel went very well, too. He has promised to support our program, intervene with locals when we need a little extra muscle and to develop a recognition program for local business that support Ayuda’s activities. We look forward to working with our new mayor in advertising Panajachel as an “animal friendly” international destination.

2012 promises to be another record-breaking year for Ayuda and for the dogs and cats in our region. Along with World Vets in April, we have another 4-person vet team coming from the States in May who will conduct 4 days of clinics in one or more villages. We have also been contacted by 3 diferent volunteer student travel groups interested in coordinating trips for vet students.

STATEMENTS OF SUCCESS FOR 2011

Ayuda achieved 113% of its goal for sterilizations.  There were 389 completed sterilizations vs. the goal of 345.

Ayuda achieved 103% of its goal for vaccinations.  There were 819 vaccinations administered vs. the goal of 790.

Ayuda achieved 85% of its goal for emergency cases. However, falling short of this goal is viewed positively as a reduced need for emergency treatments during 2011.

Ayuda achieved 100% of its goal for feedings.  The goal was approximated at 10,000 feedings.

Thank you again to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, Marchig Animal Trust, World Vets, our dedicated volunteers and to all of you who helped make this a stellar year for Ayuda!

Twenty team members and equipment crammed into the boat to San Pedro. 18-Oct-2011

It was quite an experience for our most recent World Vets team!  Their arrival in Panajachel was delayed a day in Antigua due to roads blocked by mudslides and other unsafe travel conditions.  Luckily, the following day’s journey along the PanAmerican Highway did not encounter any new obstacles or hazzards, despite the continuing downpours.

Early the next morning we loaded the team and clinic equipment into a boat and headed across Lake Atitlan to San Pedro La Laguna.  Volunteer Barbara had a good line up of animals already waiting for us.   We quickly got to work setting up for patients while dodging rain drops. What a great team! We were up and running in less than an hour!

By mid-afternoon the rain had turned heavy again. The road in front of the facility looked like a small river.  The weather had impacted our intake.  But the team had already sterilized 30 animals by that time. We held tight until the rain subsided enough for our safe return across the lake in late afternoon.  We hoped that conditions would allow us to safely return the next morning according to plan.

However, we awoke the next day to pouring rain and a phone call from our boat captain saying that it was not safe to cross the lake.   The extended tropical depressions we were having caused another change of plans!  Day 2 became a “free day” for the team, and plans for Day 3 in Santa Cruz/Jaibalito were canceled.  Instead, Day 3 became a return to San Pedro to finish what was started.

On Day 3 the weather finally broke.  Some members of the team commented that it was like they woke up in a different country than they had been in for these past days.  Excited to see the sun and volcanoes, we easily made the boat trip back to San Pedro.   With equipment and supplies still in place, we were back to work within minutes after our landing. An additional 38 animals received our standard complement of services that day, along with numerous consultations for ailments such as skin conditions and other diseases.

As Day 3 ended and we made our return to Panajachel, our boat captain told us that the San Pedro radio station had made special acknowledgment announcements of gratitude to our team.  As well as hopes of anticipation for future clinics in their village.

This special event was made possible primarily through the support of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Ayuda is very grateful to BBF, World Vets, and the enthusiastic residents of San Pedro!

Please check out our Flickr Photostream for more photos of our activities.

First stop: 4 puppies with their Mom. An Ayuda volunteer encountered this new litter of pups about a week ago. When we arrived we were told by the family who runs the bakery and second hand shop that they needed to be moved quickly. The pups, old enough to get around, were on occasion wandering onto Calle Los Arboles, a busy street by Panajachel standards. We had a nice chat about the mother’s circumstances and what to do about the puppies. Mom’s previous owner had recently died leaving her homeless as well as pregnant. When the time came, she delivered deep in a drainage pipe where no one could reach the new family. As the rains began to increase over the last couple of weeks, she found refuge among the tightly packed items in the second-hand store.  While Allan and Selaine gave the pups their first Parvo vaccinations and worming, Kelly began calling our foster homes. By the end of the day, we had lined out temporary care for 3 and a permanent home for 1 pup. Mom is staying with her new buddies at the second-hand store who have agreed to sterilize once the time is right.

Next stop: La Casa de Manzana in Barrio Norte. Manzana is a sweet momma dog who lives with a family of locals along with her four puppies. We stopped in to see how life was progressing for this family, to continue the puppies’ vaccination series and to schedule them all for sterilization. Now on the boards to be done within the next couple of weeks, Allan began giving the needed combos and rabies vaccinations as Kelly and Selaine treated for worms, mange and fleas. The family was very grateful for the help. They really didn’t want Manzana to get pregnant in the first place. It was just another case of procrastination and they totally admitted it!  Thankfully, they have agreed to keep them all as we look for permanent homes for at least 2 of the Manzana’s babies.

3rd Stop:  Barrio Norte near the river. As we were leaving Manzana’s home, we ran into a nice gentleman who asked us if we could vaccinate his dog and cat. Whenever we meet someone new on the street who asks for help, the first question is always “Are your pets sterilized?” He replied, “Yes.” We love it when we get that answer! With that and a bit more discussion, we stepped inside, took care of his pets and he graciously handed us a small donation accompanied with a heartfelt blessing. He and his wife also agreed to talk with their neighbors to encourage them to sterilize and vaccinate their pets.

The Last Stop: This particular day, we wound down activities a little after 12 noon so that Allan could get ready for his afternoon session at school. We made our last stop at another home in Barrio Norte near Allan’s home. There we encountered 3 dogs and 7 cats (!) all in need of vaccinations and 3 in need of sterilization. The family is very cooperative and anxious to complete surgeries on their remaining pets. The lady of the house explained that they didn’t intend to have so many cats but the family simply didn’t have the resources to pay to sterilize and vaccinate them all. She was so happy to hear that Ayuda would provide the services in exchange for a small donation or for some other form of help, like advocacy.  We all agreed that the 12-year-old male shepard mix didn’t really need to be done due to his age.

OUR WORK IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF:  THE BRIGITTE BARDOT FOUNDATION AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

Please help us continue to provide services to the dogs and cats of the Lake Atitlan region.  http://ayudagt.wordpress.com/donations/

Little Boy sends his thanks to all who’ve donated towards this year’s “Stick it to ‘Em” campaign!

One of our most favorite local characters is “Little Boy”. He is on his second human companion who also lives on the street and calls our pal “Canche”. His original street partner passed away about a year ago. After a greiving period that was quite obvious to all of us who know him, Little Boy took up with his current mate.

We’ve known this friendly, easy guy for over 3 years now and, know that we can usually find him laying around the plaza in front of the Catholic church conveniently located near the Mercado as well as several comedors. He has many folks along his daily route who keep an eye on him for us and often give him a good meal!

Little Boy was one of the first “victims” during our annual “Stick It to ‘Em” vaccination campaign. For the last 2 years, Ayuda volunteers hit the streets and travel to other villages to re-vaccinate the dogs and cats we track for services. We picked the month of September in support of World Rabies Day which occurs annually on the 28th of the month.

During the last couple of weeks, 64 of the 228 sets of re-vaccinations were given to Ayuda animal family members that dwell in and near Panajachel. Over the next week, we’ll be visiting Jaibalito, wrapping up re-vacs in two Panajachel barrios and will then be lakeside in Jucanya next Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm. Our records show that nearly 300 sets of vaccinations need to be given to cover all those who have already been sterilized through Ayuda, thereby part of the Ayuda family. For those animals not currently part of our program, we provide free rabies vaccines and reduced-price combos along with information on our services. It’s the opportune time to gather names for our next series of sterilization clinics!

We also find that day campaigns, such as the one slated for Jucanya and work in the streets provide a perfect avenue for hands-on humane education. Volunteers are trained to field basic care questions, to provide parasite treatments as well as to share the importance of good pet health and how it relates to their own health.

 A favorite demo involves a simple stethescope. Gently place the ear pieces into the ears of a human; place the scope over person’s heart; finally, place scope on their dog or cat’s heart. The results are immediate! Eyes light up, the connection is made! Now is the time to discuss the need for proper food, clean water, vaccinations, parasite treatments and most of all the health benefits of sterilization.

UPDATE: We have reached 76% of the fund raising goal for this year’s “Stick It to “Em” campaign.

Vet Students from Canada recently volunteered with Ayuda. This is a typical vaccination/treatment scene.

It’s that time of year again! September is right around the corner and that means Ayuda volunteers will be hitting the streets, the plazas and “callejons” to provide annual rabies and combo vaccines for the many dogs and cats we track around Lake Atitlan.  This year’s roster has well over 300 adults who need boosters and an undetermined number of new dogs, pups, cats and kits who will receive their first rounds.

Ayuda works with the Centro de Salud (health department) offices in several villages. They provide us with free rabies vaccines along with official certificates and sometimes even syringes. This is a huge cost savings for Ayuda and we’re very grateful for their confidence and support.

It’s the combo vaccines that must be purchased. While we have negotiated decent price breaks, we still have to raise the funds to buy them. Combo vaccines prevent diseases such as Distemper and Parvovirus, two huge canine killers that plague our region. For our kitty friends, the vaccines protect against feline viruses such as Rhinovirus and Feline Leukemia which is very similiar to human HIV.

Ayuda volunteers all unanimously agree that combos should always be considered a critical part of our service package due to the high levels of these viruses in our region. It also seems to us that if we’re going to spend the time and resources sterilizing animals, we need to go the extra step and ensure their safety from preventable diseases. After all, Ayuda is all about the care and well-being of dogs and cats, not just the reduction of population.

Our goal is to raise an additional $2000 solely for the purchase of combos.  However, the more we raise, the more we can provide for newly discovered adults and youngsters.

Please help us reach our goal to provide these life-saving vaccinations!

Every donation makes a difference!

No one knows if little 11 lb. Sky, originally named Marshmallow would have lived or died that day in Jaibalito. Today, everyone agrees that she’s one very lucky puppy.

When Ayuda volunteers first encountered Sky, she was being swept into a gutter while others threw stones at her. Dejected and weak, she didn’t even try to run. Poor girl was emaciated, full of fleas and demodectic mange, dehydrated with a belly load of parasites. Those on the scene were horrified at the sight they were witnessing and quickly snatched up Sky to see what could be done to help her.

Far too depressed and ill for surgery, Sky needed foster care. On that particular day all the Ayuda foster homes were filled to the brim but we just couldn’t turn our backs on little Sky.  Ayuda founder, Selaine picked up the phone and called good friend and long-time collabortor, Linda G. at Unidos Para Los Animales to ask for some help.

It was agreed that Sky would ride back up to Antigua to spend some time in Dr. JP’s hospital while the rest of us looked for either a permanent or foster home. After 2 weeks of treatments, good food and some rest, her mange was dead, fur was beginning to grow back and she was ready for sterilization. All was going quite well thanks to a great team effort.

The very best news for our sweet little Marshmallow Sky came this week when Dr. Jim Bader agreed to accept her at his shelter in Holland, Michigan. There she will complete her treatments as others help her find the perfect forever home!

In recovery at Dr. JP's Hospital

Enjoying her foster home in Antigua, GT.

Awaiting her flight to Michigan at the GT airport

Canela at Cafe Q'Anil

Canela and Laura

Checking in for surgery and vaccinations, please.

 Our first-ever clinic in Jaibalito was held this past Sunday. The lovely little village of 700 people is nestled on the western shore of the Lake and solely accessible by boat. Through the diligent work of friends Hans, Nadereh, Carol, Ceasar, Belle and Peggy along with the support of Cocode, Luciano, the team sterilized 24 animals and renewed vaccinations for several others previously sterilized. 

We were very fortunate to have a the help of Elena, a delightful young woman who speaks Spanish and Kaqchikel, the original language of the local population.  She took time to verbally translate our brochure and WSPA educational materials written in Spanish to the many, many children who showed up to see what was going on.  Clinics are an ideal time for humane education with the adults, too.

Dr. Juan Pablo Calderon along with vet team members Claudia, Jenny, Christian and Dr. David Barrios pulled off the surgeries including one very complicated pyometra case. As of today there have been no reported complications. Another perfect record for Dr. JP and team!

We also had a special guest volunteer photographer, Lori Dean visiting from Kanab, Utah where she is employed by Best Friends Animal Society.

All of our clinics are funded through the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and private donations.

Thank you again to a great team and to the village of Jaibalito for the warm welcome!

Safe and Sound in Their Foster Home

Abandonados, but not by choice. These four little ones arrived at the Santa Catarina clinic in a costele (coffee bean sack), their littles eyes not even open. The woman who brought them literally dumped them on the floor with a thud heard by everyone in the waiting room. After all the appropriate questions were asked, like “where’s the mother?” and “will you take us to her?” it was determined that the woman had no intention of helping the newborns.  Before walking out of the clinic she said that as far as she was concerned the puppies could all die.  We believe that she probably thought she was doing a good thing by leaving them with us.

Thankfully, the team rallied and a foster home was arranged on the spot. Ayuda volunteer Kenneth and his wife Rosario are trusted puppy tenders and took them home for the first couple of nights. In the meantime, Marilena spoke with a local pharmacist and his wife who agreed to take the “kids” for the extended period of time needed to bottle-feed, vaccinate, etc. and as we search for permanent homes.

Yesterday the puppies  received parvo vaccinations and deworming meds. Eyes open and playful, we have a happy family on their way to good health and forever homes!