Thank you for the donations!

We are so blessed to have such a generous following at Amigos de los Animales!  Here are a few of the latest donations..... Muchisimo gracias!!!

Melisa Puerta

la familia Lewis

Mariana Nieto Preciado

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's Barry...

Meet Barry, our newest arrival. 

Meet Volunteers - Valerie & Jack Moreau

We are Valerie & Jack Moreau. We have been involved with Amigos de Los Animales since 2000.

We spend our summers in Nanaimo BC on beautiful Vancouver Island. Every November we migrate south to Mazatlan for 6-7 months. We met in Mazatlan in 1984, both of us vacationing with friends, got engaged in Puerto Vallarta, and honeymooned on the Baja. So Mexico and particularly Mazatlan has a special place in our hearts.

Our initial involvement with Amigos de Los Animales was a result of a radio program, which we hosted for seven years, called Que Pasa Mazatlan. While doing the program we interviewed many local guests, which included Nadine and Henry Laxen, who were the cofounders of Amigos. We instantly connected with them because of the love for animals we all shared. It wasn't long before Valerie became a member of the board, and held various positions for a number it years.

We are also involved in several other charities, and we try and divide our time between all of them. Our main contribution is to Amigos de Los Animales, which we support through the annual bus trips that we host. We have been to many parts of Mexico including Mexico City, Guanajuato, Morelia to see the monarch butterflies, Sam Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara, Copper Canyon to name a few. Our goal is to keep these trips affordable, and also to make a donation to help our four legged friends.

Helping the animals is a very rewarding experience, and we encourage others who share our passion, to assist however they can. Whether it be a monetary donation or volunteering your time, all support is appreciated.

Amigos Bazaar

DID YOU KNOW?
(Shopping at our Bazaar)


Often the term "second hand Bazaar" conjures up an image of old, broken, tattered items for sale - not any more!

Thanks to the generosity of many Nationals and "Gringos" alike, we receive hundreds of new and used items for sale. Admittedly some end up in the trash - a normal occurrence at donation drop-off locations. However, for the most part we receive very useful, sometimes brand new, items for sale.

We try hard to price our items to sell. We also cull out ripped, stained, worn-out clothing before it gets to our sale racks. Many first time shoppers are amazed at the overall quality of our clothing items.

On any given day you could "discover" something new ranging from kitchen utensils, dishes, souvenirs, shirts, blouses, pants, socks, shoes, art work, electrical supplies, CD's, electronic cables, suitcases, . . . .etc., etc. Even some appliances and furniture (they sell fast).

Most clothing, purses, belts, etc. are priced using a color code system. Each week one color is discounted by 50%, so a red tag that might normally be 40 pesos would be 20 pesos that week. Many shoppers come in weekly to see which color is on sale and buy accordingly. A win win all around.

The Bazaar is open from 11:00 am till 2:00 pm Monday through Saturday. The address is Bicentenario Juarez #3, in Col. Francisco Villa (Col. Pancho Villa).  Don't overlook this unique shopping opportunity.

As always, 100 PERCENT of the proceeds from the sale of Bazaar items goes towards the care of our animals. All of us that work in the Bazaar are non-paid volunteers.

Donations badly needed!

HEALTH UPDATE:   this photo was taken Friday, March 7. (after 1 chemo treatment) less then half the size of the original tumor!  Compare the difference!!

After 1 chemo treatment!

Original size

UPDATE: More donations have been pouring in, bringing the total to 6504.00 pesos so far for Cinderella's care.  Thank you!!!  There is one more way to donate if you don't use PayPal.  

Please note that the latest address for our bank in the U.S. is as follows:

BMO Harris Bank

Attn: Cindy Tintner

50 So. 6th Street Suite 1000

Minneapolis, MN 55402

If supporters in the U.S. or Canada want to mail checks to us, this is the address that you should use.

This sweet little pup, only 2 years old, sick, malnourished and with a HUGE tumor on her neck, was dumped out by our complex about a week or so ago... Jill Degner, pictured, was able to rescue her and take her to Amigos de los Animales Mazatlán Humane Society, A.C., where she is a volunteer. Yesterday, her tumor was cleaned and explored and she will need surgery to

remove it and chemotherapy afterwards...This is far beyond what ADLA's budget can afford. If you have a few pesos in your pocket and compassion in your heart, please donate what you can to Cinderella's care. Jill named her Cinderella in the hopes that one day soon, she will become a princess. I believe, that with the help of loving and caring people, she will. Thank you.

Donations can be made through Paypal using the link on THIS blog.   

For those of you who don't have any way of knowing, there are about 13 pesos to the US dollar.  So it takes alot of pesos for this type of treatment. 

Gary

Today was Pizza Day at the shelter - a nice way of saying "Thank you" to Gary for his unwavering loyalty to our animals. Gary works throughout Latin America doing volunteer work as part of a faith-based organization in Denver, Colorado.

He can only stay in Mexico for 6 months at a time so we say que la vaya bien and we hope he will return to us next year.

Facts vs. Myths

By Pete Betlem

Facts vs. Myths

Much has been said, written and rumored about Amigos de los Animales, Mazatlan's premier animal rescue center. Let's compare the myths and the facts:

Myth: ADLA is a kill center that routinely euthanizes cats and dogs after a specified period of time or to make room for new animals.

Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth. Unwanted or non-adoptable cats are neutered and released back into the wild where they have the best chances for survival and a natural life. Dogs are kept indefinitely until a forever home can be found. It is not unusual to have one or two dogs at the Shelter that have been with us for over a year.

Do we ever "put down" an animal? Unfortunately, Yes. Animals that contract serious, irreversible illnesses, diseases or injuries may, after much consultation with our veterinary and vet-tech personnel, have to be euthanized for the overall well-being of the shelter.

It should be noted here that ADLA is a Humane Society and, as such, there are those rare instances where it is more humane to euthanize an animal than it is to let them live out a shortened life in pain and suffering.

Myth: We arbitrarily refuse to accept some animals into our care because we feel that they do not have a good chance of being adopted.

Fact: The adoptability of an animal has no bearing whatsoever on our decision to accept or reject an animal. The number one reason for rejecting animals is that we have limited space. When we have a "full house" we cannot accept more animals. If we cannot properly feed and house an animal, we do not accept them into our care. While we would like to receive every animal that comes to our door, it is just a physical impossibility. We do have a few generous individuals that are willing to foster animals for us until a home can be found. That enables us to accept slightly more animals than the shelter alone can handle.

Myth: You can bring your sick or injured animal to the shelter and have it treated for free or at discount rates.

Fact: We do not have a veterinary on duty to treat your sick or injured animal. You must take your animal to a reputable veterinary for treatment. Once we make the decision to accept an animal we provide all the necessary care and treatment to ensure the health of the animal - at our own expense.

Myth: We will allow an animal to be adopted by anyone - just to get rid of it.

Fact: Not true! Prospective adoption applicants are carefully questioned as to the type of home that the animal will be exposed to. On many occasions we do follow-up work to ensure that the animal is being treated in a kind and considerate manner. Every effort is made to ensure a good home for our animals.

It should also be noted here that all animals released for adoption must be vaccinated and neutered. In some cases the animal being adopted is too young to have received all of its vaccinations or be neutered. In those instances we stay in touch with the new parents and schedule vaccinations and neutering when the animal is old enough. We do this at our own expense.

Myth: ADLA is administered by lay-persons who are well-intentioned but posses little or no practical experience with animals.

Fact: Quite the contrary - at present ADLA is fortunate to have two highly experienced veterinarians that give of their time almost daily to do wellness checks on the animals and prescribe medications as needed. Additionally we have two highly experienced vet-techs on board that assist the vets and administer the prescribed medications.

If you would like to join our staff as a volunteer you can contact us at: 669-986-4235. For as little as 3 hours a week you can make a difference in the life of an animal. There are several ways in which you can help: Your time, your money, your material donations such as quality animal food and cleaning supplies or unwanted household items that could be sold in our on-site bazaar, or your ability to be a foster parent. And - perhaps the biggest gift of all - a forever home for one of our guests. Which of these options work best for you?

Picasso and Miguel

Miguel

Picasso

PAWS TO CONSIDER


Many of you will recall our previous article highlighting the two longest running residents at Amigos de los Animales - Paula and Puma.  We are pleased to follow-up by letting you know that both have found forever homes.  Our heartfelt thanks to those generous people and to you for helping to spread the word.

Many of you have asked about Blanca, our Dalmatian variety female rescued from a life of being tied up (wire) and living in filth.  We are very happy to report that Blanca has gained a lot of weight and looks terrific.  Our staff provides her with ample amounts of loving care, good food and clean water.  She is healthy, ready and deserving of a good home.

This brings us to another shelter resident that you have read about.  Once, (un-say), now the shelter mascot, is doing just fine and living the life of a princess.  You will recall that Once came to us just hours after giving birth to 11 (once) puppies.  After approximately 10 months two of her pups (now, not so small) are still waiting for their chance to become a part of your family.

Both Picasso and Miguel are medium sized dogs and full of energy.  They will need a home with lots of room to move around.  Picasso is neutered,  Miguel will also be "fixed" by the time you read this article.They will come fully vaccinated and with a bag of goodies to help their new owners get started.

Like their mama, Picasso and Miguel are extremely friendly dogs and are well socialized with people and other dogs.  Admittedly their manners are lacking but with some guidance and training they will do just fine.

Please help us to find them forever homes and take them from the necessary confines of the shelter into homes where they will be able to experience the joy of being part of a family.

Please take the time to visit Amigos de los Animales at Bicentenario Juarez #3, Colonia Francisco Villa (Pancho Villa) here in Mazatlan.  You can call for more information on our animals, ways to donate and volunteer opportunities at 669-986-4235.  You can be a volunteer for just 3 hours a week and make a difference in the lives of our special residents.

If Picasso or Miguel is not for you, we have many others to choose from including dogs (large and small) cats and kittens.  Each one is waiting to see you. Will you be that special  person that brings one of our guests into your home?   You won't be disappointed