Hope for the Animals Team Rescues a Mother Cat

Please read this astonishing rescue story, a first-hand account from Susie, from our Hope for the Animals Program:

The phone call came yesterday, near the end of the work day from America, from our Panajachel preschool teacher that a mother cat had fallen into a latrine in San Andres. We quickly assembled our Hope for the Animals Team, (Erick, our driver and ex fireman, Jonathan #75, Augustine, Doña Berta and myself, Susie).  Armed with 2 flashlights, a rope, a cat carrier, a hot water bottle and cat formula, we arrived at the scene. As soon as we stepped out of the truck we were met by a group of children excitedly telling us that a cat had fallen into their latrine. They shoved a dirty box  with a hole cut out of the top at us which contained 4 tiny kittens. Doña Berta took charge of the 4 two week old kittens and asked the family to heat water to fill the hot water bottle so that we could warm the mother when she was rescued. 

I quickly told everyone that we would survey  the situation before deciding how to proceed. As we approached the cane-made latrine we were relieved to hear the howling cries of the cat. The smell was horrible and the cat had been trapped for at least 2 hours. It became painfully apparent that there was no way that this cat had “fallen,” into the latrine. It is unfortunately quite common for people to dispose of unwanted animals in this manner.

I angrily exclaimed that the cat had not fallen into the latrine and where was the lid, because it is dangerous for animals as well as children. Augustine and Jonathan took a picture and I was comforted by the fact that the cat was only belly deep in raw sewage! This was going to be easier than we all imagined. Erick quickly fastened a noose and was able to loop it around her front legs and head after the 4^th attempt! We hurriedly rinsed her in a nearby pila. We left feeling proud of having rescued these cats from certain death. 

The mother and kittens are now resting comfortably in Sharon’s bathroom after receiving medical attention. I feel so honored and grateful to be able to work with such an exceptional bunch of people. The admiration I feel for my coworkers is difficult to explain. Each is so wonderfully unique and bring their skills and life experiences to aid in the many unique situations we encounter. They all have stories of hardship and I have NEVER heard them complain about how someone else is getting help and not them.

Unfortunately, the Hope for the Animals Project has been temporarily shut down due to budget constraints. We will commence with the sterilization program in February when Meredith comes down for her annual clinic. Last night's adventure was a grave reminder of the importance of our monthly spay and neuter clinics. 

Yesterday was big parade day!

Yesterday we held a parade in Panajachel. 
It was supported by the Health Commission here in Panajachel.
It was for raising awareness about giving dogs and cats rabies shots and also to create more awareness about spaying and neutering animals.
While we are animal lovers and hate to see the suffering of animals this is not just about wanting to help the animals. It is about keeping the community safe.   Rabies is a deadly, horrible disease.  We want to make sure that no child or adult will ever  have to suffer a death like that.   We recently had a group come and show us a video about Rabies and they had small footage ( thank goodness) of a child in Haiti dying of rabies.  It was the most horrendous thing I have ever seen. This little boy was about 5 yrs old.  He was tied to a bed. He was foaming at the mouth and then would bring up the most amazing amounts of saliva and foam, throwing his head back and screaming ....I never want to see another child suffer like that.   I hope that they quickly sedated this child and did  not let him suffer more.

The spaying and neutering will increase the cleanliness of the town, there will be less feces on the streets.....this feces washes into the river and the lake.

There will also be less packs of dogs forming and roaming the streets.   We have been spaying and neutering here in Panajachel for the past five years and it has made a huge difference in the town.
But there are so many towns around the lake that are asking for help.
Poisoning which is the method used here is horrible. It is a terrible death for the animals, it is horrifying for children to watch this and it is dangerous. The poison can stay on the street,  people who are searching for food at the garbage dumps are very vulnerable to finding poisoned food,  ( yes, unfortunately, we have families searching for food in the garbage dumps at the local market (which is where poison is left for the animals and at the local dump).

We were very encouraged by the support that we received from the community yesterday and the local government. They even sent their brass band down from Solola to participate!

Today we are holding a free spay and neuter clinic in Panajachel.
Yesterday....rabies shots were free in several booths that were set up throughout the town.

We had lots of sponsored children participate in the parade and we were amazed to see one whole school turn up with all their children in costumes.  Our Pana pre school was also there....please go to this link to see the photos. https://picasaweb.google.com/mayanfamilies/Julio6De2011FotosDeDesfileDeLosPerros?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Sharon

Another abandoned puppy.

This little puppy, probably around 2 months old was found down by the river. She has an old machete wound going from the top of her head all along her back. Someone slashed her with a machete. A machete is a large knife that men use for a variety of reasons, usually chopping firewood, work around the house. Unfortuantely, it is not uncommon for us to find dogs with machete wounds.

This poor little girl was starving and thirsty, she also has a problem with an infection in her fur.

We will be having our monthly spay and neuter clinics today. We will probably have around 30 - 35 dogs/ cats to spay and neuter.

One of the reasons we are so dedicated to doing these clinics is to limit the number of animals that are left to wander the streets suffering, abused, injured, starving and terrified.

If you are an animal lover, please consider sponsoring a dog or cat to be spayed or neutered. It only costs $20 US and it saves so much future suffering.