AYUDA — for the Health of Dogs and Cats in Guatemala

Through the support and encouragement of Lago de Atitlan residents, in May of 2009  Selaine d’Ambrosi founded Ayuda, a small nonprofit effort dedicated to needy dogs and cats in Guatemala.

————————————————————-

Harold, Selaine, and The Pack

Selaine and her husband Harold, along with their two adopted dogs Bruno and Kizzy, moved to Guatemala in the winter of 2006. Earlier that year the couple had made an exploration visit to the area. They had been considering several places in the world to make their retirement home. But the lakeside village of Panajachel was quickly chosen when they experienced its extraordinary population of homeless dogs and cats. Shortly after they had made their move and gotten settled, their pack of adopted dogs grew to six.

Previously, and in addition to many years of working with various nonprofit organizations, Selaine had also been part of a large animal sanctuary in the US Southwest.  Her lifelong love of animals only grew more as she became active in the most modern practices of animal welfare.  In choosing Guatemala as a new home, Selaine committed herself to bringing all she could to its needy animals.

As if by fate, and after living in their rented Panajachel guest home for a very short time, a local nonprofit group asked Selaine and Harold if they would be willing to lodge a team of visiting US veterinarians.  The couple eagerly stepped up to the lodging opportunity, as well as solved a second problem for the visiting professionals—where to hold their planned free clinic.   Using her formal medical training, and the vet team’s’ 47 page pre-clinic manual, Selaine configured their home for all treatment and surgical requirements well before the team arrived. This included transforming a small parking area into a fully functional three table operating room. After the completion of their four week mission through Central America, the visiting seven member team of veterinarians formally reported a #1 rating for the two day clinic which Selaine had organized and played an active hands-on role.

Greatly encouraged by the effectiveness of the clinic and wanting to do more, Selaine became actively involved with the nonprofit group which had hosted the event.  She became recognized as their founder of a new program focused on the health of pets and homeless animals.   Selaine defined, developed, and ran a comprehensive animal program which included:   (i) monthly sterilization and vaccination clinics, (ii) public media and classroom awareness of animal issues, (iii) adoption services for the homeless, (iv) subsidized pet food for the needy, and (v) foster care services for special needs and convalescing homeless animals.

Between March 2007 and September 2008 when Selaine left the parent nonprofit group, many hundreds of animals in the Lake Atitlan region had received healthy food and necessary health care services.  As part of her legacy and hopes for the work to continue, Selaine left behind a well-structured program, including a formal membership with an international animal society that offers bi-annual grant opportunities.

Dogs feeding near the Mercado

Between the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009, Selaine went back to hands-on basics.  Always with her backpack filled with dog food and treatments for worms and fleas, she once again became a familiar face on Panajachel’s streets, indigenous neighborhoods, and mercado.

As she encountered special cases of extreme medical needs,  Selaine and her companion Marilena would arrange for treatment by Dr. Miguel as best as they could.  Suddenly, locals began stepping forward and supporting her work through unsolicited donations.  Others acknowledged how much she and her work had been missed and encouraged her to do more.

Admitting area of Santa Catarina Clinic Apr09

In April 2009, Selaine was asked to facilitate a special clinic for the lakeside village of Santa Catarina.  The event was privately sponsored as a free clinic for a poor community,  which turned out with open arms of support.

Selaine became highly encouraged by community spirit and support which stepped forth during her pre-clinic meetings with Santa Catarina’s leaders.  Many of the clinic’s medical supplies were donated by a friendly US vet.   Lodging for the visiting vet students was donated by the village’s resort hotel.   Meals were donated by the mayor’s office.   Injections and other services were donated by the local health department.  And local gringo volunteers turned out in force.

Greatly inspired by the results of  the Santa Catarina clinic, Selaine decided that it was time to start a small, but well-defined nonprofit effort, which focused primarily on homeless cats and dogs.

On 9-June-09, formal application was made to the government of Guatemala to recognize Ayuda as an official nonprofit association.  The application was accepted and approved on 24-Aug-09.  Click here to see a copy of the official mondato.