Local animal support groups, the municipality of Chapala, local veterinarian Dr, Erik Sanabria, another local veterinarian and individual pet activists, led by Lucille Van Straaten and a host of volunteers have readied a second free sterilization clinic focusing primarily upon the pets of Mexican households.
Families and individuals with dogs or cats needing to be spayed or neutered will be able to take them to Casa Ejidal in the Lakeside village of Santa Cruz from 8 a.m. on the mornings of Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5.
Though all of those who have animals needing sterilization but who are without the means to pay for surgery will be welcomed, those living in the Santa Cruz and San Nicolas areas will have preference. The program is especially welcoming to those in the community who continue to house and care for rescued animals.
Besides the volunteers who will see to the preparation, assist in surgery and care for the pets after surgery, veterinarians from the Havhenbeck Foundation in Mexico City will be performing the actual surgeries. Housing and meals for those vets is being provided by the municipality of Chapala.
Those taking their pets in for sterilization should be sure that the pet has nothing to eat or drink after 8 p.m. the night before. Take a comfortable blanket along for the pet to cuddle in after the operation and some identification. Pet owners will have to sign waivers allowing the surgery to be performed.
The last such clinic that took place some months ago produced 175 sterilizations, in spite of medication and supply shortages. Volunteers are ready and all is in place this time for as many as 300 surgeries.
Pet sterilization remains the most important and most efficient way to avoid pet overpopulation, packs of street dogs prowling through neighborhoods and healthier, happier pets.
Those who wish to are welcome to make donations to “Operacion Amor” at O’Rourke and Associados located next to HSBC in the Centro Laguna shopping plaza.