Dear Friends of the Animals
How many times do we say that we should do something about the plight of animals that need
our help? Most people just walk away. I've watched this on the beaches and streets of Acapulco,
Mexico, for many years, and it disturbs me.
My husband and I love our visits to Acapulco. We love the people, the resort, the restaurants, the scenery and the history. We love everything except the sight of poor starving dogs that walk and lay on the beach, sidewalks and streets looking for help, a kind word, or a scrap of food.
The first year that we visited the city I didn't see any dogs in serious distress. Guess I wasn't looking. The second year changed all of that. I saw one particular dog that needed food not to mention medical help for a number of obvious physical problems. I would walk the beach looking for him. I saw many dogs, some soon to whelp pups, others just roaming the beach looking for food. I would take food to "my dog" while other Americans would look at him and say, "Poor dog, why doesn't somebody help him"? Friends who were on vacation with us would say, "This is Mexico, you can't change it." I wondered about that and for about 10 days let them influence me. The day they left for home is the day I decided that I couldn't live with myself unless I tried to make a difference in this poor dog's life.
We hired a taxi that waited while we walked the beach for 2 hours looking for "our" dog. We finally found him in really bad shape and drove him to a central Acapulco Vet Clinic. It was a Sunday and he was not walking very well. He probably would not have lasted the day. He was severely dehydrated, very sick, and starving. I never imagined that this would be the start of a relationship with the potential to save many animals, educate people, and perpetuate a policy of spay and neutering.
Our story is a mixed blessing. Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque owner of the Clinica Veterinaria San Francisco is a man who loves his country and the animals that populate it. He realizes that the people need to be educated about vaccinations, the need for spay and neutering and the problems of uncontrolled street animals. He and the animals need OUR help.
We named our dog, Suarte, which means Lucky in English. I would get daily feedback by e-mail and phone when we returned to the US and I was hoping that we could eventually bring him "home". Suarte was not so lucky. He died after about three weeks of intensive treatment. I have the comfort of knowing that he was cared for by people who really loved him and that he was the inspiration for something much larger.
Home to our family is where a large number of big beautiful dogs play, go to shows and are pampered and cared for beyond belief. While I didn't expect this would be the case in every Mexican home "what could be done to help"? Dr. Gomez and I talked at length about creating an Association where we could make our dream a reality and make a difference. No rescue/animal care organization or ASPCA (as we know it in the US) exists in Acapulco at this time
This past January (2006), after much local effort by Dr. Gomez, we signed all the necessary documents and the Mexican Federal Government approved Animal Care Association of Mexico as an accredited non-profit charity in Mexico. Dr. and Mrs. Gomez and my husband, Marv are the Founder's of this organization but now we need the help of many more caring people. We couldn't walk away from the problem--- can you?
There are 3.2 million people in Acapulco. I haven't a clue how many dogs, cats, and other animals are in need of help. We do know the math. When two un-neutered dogs mate their offspring can multiply to more than 60,000 dogs in five years. Obviously starvation and disease control this growth but the numbers are still staggering. We know that we can't help all of them, but we'd like to see spay and neutering clinics able to help those who want help but can't afford these services. The actual "out of pocket" cost to neuter a dog in Mexico is about $30. We'd like the appropriate vaccinations to be given to the animals and we'd like to educate the general public to the problems and offer them affordable solutions.
Americans always help. That's what we do best. I have watched with tears in my eyes while people at dog shows contributed thousands of dollars to assist animals in hurricane ravaged Louisiana. I know that we can help our Mexican neighbors. We CAN help animals that cannot help themselves.
We still have many things that need to be done on this side of the border. We are preparing this website. Deciding how will we handle contributions of supplies and services? A number of large suppliers have already expressed interest in contributing dog food and medical supplies. How will we solicit donations?
As a start we have formed a 501C(3) and Incorporated as a Non Profit Corporation. in New Jersey This allows US citizens and corporations to deduct all donations. We have opened bank accounts in the US and Mexico. Much more needs to be done.
If there is any way you can contribute your knowledge or talents to these issues please contact us. If the answer is no but you wish to donate to the Association please send us your donation and we will confirm receipt for tax purposes.
Please join us as we begin this incredible journey. We need you! The dogs and other stray animals in Mexico need you even more! Thank you in advance for your help.
Concerned for the Animals,
Debbie Thornton
My husband and I love our visits to Acapulco. We love the people, the resort, the restaurants, the scenery and the history. We love everything except the sight of poor starving dogs that walk and lay on the beach, sidewalks and streets looking for help, a kind word, or a scrap of food.
The first year that we visited the city I didn't see any dogs in serious distress. Guess I wasn't looking. The second year changed all of that. I saw one particular dog that needed food not to mention medical help for a number of obvious physical problems. I would walk the beach looking for him. I saw many dogs, some soon to whelp pups, others just roaming the beach looking for food. I would take food to "my dog" while other Americans would look at him and say, "Poor dog, why doesn't somebody help him"? Friends who were on vacation with us would say, "This is Mexico, you can't change it." I wondered about that and for about 10 days let them influence me. The day they left for home is the day I decided that I couldn't live with myself unless I tried to make a difference in this poor dog's life.
We hired a taxi that waited while we walked the beach for 2 hours looking for "our" dog. We finally found him in really bad shape and drove him to a central Acapulco Vet Clinic. It was a Sunday and he was not walking very well. He probably would not have lasted the day. He was severely dehydrated, very sick, and starving. I never imagined that this would be the start of a relationship with the potential to save many animals, educate people, and perpetuate a policy of spay and neutering.
Our story is a mixed blessing. Dr. Eusebio Gomez Duque owner of the Clinica Veterinaria San Francisco is a man who loves his country and the animals that populate it. He realizes that the people need to be educated about vaccinations, the need for spay and neutering and the problems of uncontrolled street animals. He and the animals need OUR help.
We named our dog, Suarte, which means Lucky in English. I would get daily feedback by e-mail and phone when we returned to the US and I was hoping that we could eventually bring him "home". Suarte was not so lucky. He died after about three weeks of intensive treatment. I have the comfort of knowing that he was cared for by people who really loved him and that he was the inspiration for something much larger.
Home to our family is where a large number of big beautiful dogs play, go to shows and are pampered and cared for beyond belief. While I didn't expect this would be the case in every Mexican home "what could be done to help"? Dr. Gomez and I talked at length about creating an Association where we could make our dream a reality and make a difference. No rescue/animal care organization or ASPCA (as we know it in the US) exists in Acapulco at this time
This past January (2006), after much local effort by Dr. Gomez, we signed all the necessary documents and the Mexican Federal Government approved Animal Care Association of Mexico as an accredited non-profit charity in Mexico. Dr. and Mrs. Gomez and my husband, Marv are the Founder's of this organization but now we need the help of many more caring people. We couldn't walk away from the problem--- can you?
There are 3.2 million people in Acapulco. I haven't a clue how many dogs, cats, and other animals are in need of help. We do know the math. When two un-neutered dogs mate their offspring can multiply to more than 60,000 dogs in five years. Obviously starvation and disease control this growth but the numbers are still staggering. We know that we can't help all of them, but we'd like to see spay and neutering clinics able to help those who want help but can't afford these services. The actual "out of pocket" cost to neuter a dog in Mexico is about $30. We'd like the appropriate vaccinations to be given to the animals and we'd like to educate the general public to the problems and offer them affordable solutions.
Americans always help. That's what we do best. I have watched with tears in my eyes while people at dog shows contributed thousands of dollars to assist animals in hurricane ravaged Louisiana. I know that we can help our Mexican neighbors. We CAN help animals that cannot help themselves.
We still have many things that need to be done on this side of the border. We are preparing this website. Deciding how will we handle contributions of supplies and services? A number of large suppliers have already expressed interest in contributing dog food and medical supplies. How will we solicit donations?
As a start we have formed a 501C(3) and Incorporated as a Non Profit Corporation. in New Jersey This allows US citizens and corporations to deduct all donations. We have opened bank accounts in the US and Mexico. Much more needs to be done.
If there is any way you can contribute your knowledge or talents to these issues please contact us. If the answer is no but you wish to donate to the Association please send us your donation and we will confirm receipt for tax purposes.
Please join us as we begin this incredible journey. We need you! The dogs and other stray animals in Mexico need you even more! Thank you in advance for your help.
Concerned for the Animals,
Debbie Thornton