1. Jeff and I just got back to Mexico a few days ago. We're having a spay and neuter clinic next week and then the normal dog stuff from there. I would like to do a sweep of the island, door to door, working on vaccinations and spaying and neutering. I mean really - we've been back two days and we already have a very weak momma with eight pups. Then I got a call about another dog with eight pups and Jeff and I are about to go pick up four. This has to stop. I called my new momma - Momma Rina after the hurricane that wasn't. Here is our new mom warming up her pups after their bath this morning, such a good mom. This must be black dog week, out of the thirteen puppies there is only one white one. We are so looking forward to moving ahead this year. With all the rescue groups and people that we are working with now, we can get more done and we're hoping that we can get some help with this. Already we have some wonderful monthly donators, and it makes a huge difference. So many people ask me what they can do to help, well it's really easy. If we can get enough people donating $10.00 a month we will have a budget to work with. Ten people giving up two starbuck coffees every month can buy enough dog food for a week, or three spays or four neuters, or twelve vaccines, or five distemper tests, or four parvo tests, or two and a half medium crates, or ten bottles of specialty shampoos, or two bottles of de-wormer, or five dog rides to the airport, or five health certificates, and on and on. Every penny goes to the dogs, there is no administration, we pay Marcelino's salary (he works at the house and helps with the dogs). IT'S ALL FOR THE DOGS. We've been home three nights and already have two momma's with their pups. There is no where else for these dogs to go. We will find homes for the pups and spay the moms. Each spayed female is one step closer to a better life for dogs in Mexico. If you already donate, ask a friend to do it too, and ask their friends to do it as well. Ten dollars a month and we can make a huge difference together. I forgot to mention in this blog yesterday that the Isla Animals Website is set up to do monthly donations. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the front page there is a donate button, click on that and then there are instructions on how to continue. Thank you everybody, in advance, who donates. It makes all the difference. We are setting up for a big spay and neuter clinic today and getting ready for all the street puppies that we find.

2. We are doing another big spay and neuter clinic in Corales near Rancho Viejo which is next to Cancun. This is our second clinic in this location. Last time we ended up with over fifty puppies. We can put the dogs back on the street but never the puppies. We often re-home the dogs if we can as well. Anyway it has been the worst year for distemper that I've ever seen. Unfortunately we lost about 20% of those pups to distemper. It only takes one distemper pup to infect an entire group of un-vaccinated puppies. So this April we're going to test every puppy that comes in. The tests are two hundred pesos a piece, about eighteen dollars, we want to have seventy five available for that last week of April. I'm asking if any of you can help by buying one or two tests it would make a huge difference. You can donate on our pay pal and make a note that it's for distemper tests and that's exactly what it will be used for. This is an extra cost that we didn't figure into our budget when we were making the original plans. On a more fun note, Isla Animals has had a small explosion of puppies. First we got a litter of nine. Pepe spotted the mom and her pups next to the bull ring in Cancun and has been waiting for them to be old enough to bring here. Then we got a moma and her seven pups. Everyone is healthy, has already been tested for distemper and is adjusting well. By the way Rusty is doing much better.

3. The race was great. There's lots of room for improvement but for a first effort we are all very happy. To all of the incredible volunteers, Jeff and I are so, so grateful. And to those who helped set things up ahead of time with the city and the schools and the race route, we couldn't possibly have done it without you. We haven't finished with the tally because Jeff is still working at the music festival but as soon as we have numbers I will post them. We had over sixty runners thanks to all of you wonderful people who signed up to sponsor school kids. And for you generous supporters who sponsored teams of five, it added so much excitement. Unfortunately we couldn't fill all the teams but next year people will have a better idea of what's going on. The whole event was fun and involved the entire community. From the island government to the police department to the Navy that allowed us to run on the runway. We had help from the Red Cross, they sent their ambulance to be on standby. We had runners of all ages from many different countries. For the first year we couldn't have asked for more.

4. What could be better than getting a puppy or dog off the street. How can you beat putting meat on a starving animals bones or help out a dog before it's abused and learns to mistrust humans. It's the best feeling in the world. Help me prevent another box of unwanted pups being left on a vacant lot. I can do all that and more if I have the funds. Help us turn this Into this It's a great gift idea for the person who has everything. You can buy them a monthly donation to Isla Animals. I will make sure that every penny that you donate is put to work. It's the most wonderful thing to know that we can count on a certain amount of money coming in each month. It allows me to plan ahead in this work that is other wise, to say the least, financially chaotic. And if you are looking for something different you can donate a certain amount of spays and neuters in someone's name. The surgery averages out to $20.00 an animal and it's the bottom line solution to overpopulation and suffering of animals in Mexico. Donate and then let me know by email bayfirestd@aol.com so I can make sure that a Christmas card is sent to your friend or family member. They will love it.

5. Thank You to the Bow Wow Club For Your generous Donation!

6. Yahoo, we are now a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization

 

 

Donate $100 to Isla Animals today and get Alison's Book "No Urn for Ashes" FREE!

 

 

Adoptions

These are just a few of our most recent adoptions.

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Name: Swagger Status: Gone to Pet Project Rescue. Approx. Age: 5 months Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Swagger is so much fun. She loves to play and gets along with all the dogs. She is spayed and vaccinated and looking forward to a wonderful home.

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Erica’s Schnauzer Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 10 years Sex: Female Comments:         There is a wonderful veterinarian, Erica, on the mainland who has helped Isla Animals and other rescues with all of their animals. She’s saved so many of our dogs and has a heart of gold. Erica, like the rest of us ends up bringing dogs in off the street and caring for them. At the moment she has five that need homes and we want to help her as much as she has helped us. This little old lady is so sweet, she just wants a loving home to live out the rest of her days. She is vaccinated but not spayed due to her age.

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Mac Status: Adopted by a visitor who just adored him. Approx. Age: 3 months Sex: Male Comments:         November 2010, I have so many new puppies right now that I haven’t named them all. I call this group of four “The Twins” because they are like two sets of twins. Look at the pictures and you will see what I mean. This male has been neutered and has his first vaccination.

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Carolyn Status: Adopted by a visiting tourist. Approx. Age: 2 months Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, these two came in off the streets of Isla Mujeres. What a beautiful pair. They love to play and to cuddle. Both have been vaccinated and are doing very well.

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Pony Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoption Approx. Age: 1 years Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Pony is so smart, everyone falls in love with her. She’s a Rat Terrier, spay, vaccinated and ready to go. She is off leash trained and will steal your heart in a second.

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Wilson Status: Got a wonderful home on the island. Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, a friend of mine found Wilson hiding behind a rock on the shore. He was cold, wet and covered with sand. Now he is warm and fed and has had his first vaccination. He’s a little spit fire.

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Marta Status: Gone to Calgary, Yahoo. Approx. Age: 8 months Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, she’s still here and as wonderful as ever. April 29, 2010, wow is she cute, a friend of mine found her in the street and she loves it here. She is vaccinated and spayed. I need to update her photo, she is four months older now. She was sick for a while but has made a full recovery, still a cutie.

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Name: Sal Status: Gone to Calgary. Approx. Age: 8 months Sex: Female Comments:         November 2010, she’s still here and keeping Marta company but she would love to have her own person. April 29, 2010, this litter of five pups was found under a step on the mainland at Puerto Juarez. Sal is doing very well, she is vaccinated and spayed and loves to play. Both Marta and Sal were sick and both have made a full recover. Sal is four months older now and I need to update the picture.

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Nariz Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoption Approx. Age: 3 months Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, Nariz was found on the streets of Cancun with his bro Blizzard. They are so happy to be with people and get three squares a day. Such loves. He is neutered and has his first vaccination.

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Tulip Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoption Approx. Age: 3 1/2 months Sex: Female Comments:       November, 2010, someone found these two loves on the streets of Cancun. They had terrible skin problems but are healing so fast with food and love. Believe it or not they are only 3 1/2 months old. They are going to be huge. She is spayed and has her first vaccination.

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Petunia Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoptions Approx. Age: 3 1/2 months Sex: Female Comments:       November, 2010, someone found these two loves on the streets of Cancun. They had terrible skin problems but are healing so fast with food and love. Believe it or not they are only 3 1/2 months old. They are going to be huge. She is spayed and has her first vaccination.<

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Momma Corales Status: Gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 1 years Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Ricardo found this lovely momma on the streets during our spay and neuter clinic. He put a leash on her and she led him to her puppies. She stayed in the clinic with her five pups. What a great momma. Now she’s at our house in my pottery studio, so much for making pots.

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Puppy one Status: Gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Ricardo found this lovely momma on the streets during our spay and neuter clinic. He put a leash on her and she led him to her puppies. She stayed in the clinic with her five pups. What a great momma. Now she’s at our house in my pottery studio, so much for making pots. This is one of her pups.

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Puppy Two Status: Gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, Ricardo found this lovely momma on the streets during our spay and neuter clinic. He put a leash on her and she led him to her puppies. She stayed in the clinic with her five pups and was Incredible at taking care of them. Now she’s at our house in my pottery studio, so much for making pots. This is one of her pups.

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Puppy Three Status: gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Ricardo found this lovely momma on the streets during our spay and neuter clinic. He put a leash on her and she led him to her puppies. She stayed in the clinic with her five pups and was Incredible at taking care of them. Now she’s at our house in my pottery studio, so much for making pots. This is one of momma’s pups.

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Puppy Four Status: Gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Ricardo found this lovely momma on the streets during our spay and neuter clinic. He put a leash on her and she led him to her puppies. She stayed in the clinic with her five pups and was Incredible at taking care of them. Now she’s at our house in my pottery studio, so much for making pots. This is one of Momma’s pups.

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Name: Bronson Status: Gone to Edmonton. Approx. Age: 7 months Sex: Male Comments:       November, 2010, My beautiful boy went to Edmonton. April 29, 2010, I am almost positive that this is Jenny’s brother. A friend of mine found him trapped under a piece of coral on the south end of the island. He is a darling little guy but we are still working on some skin issues.

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Brasso Status: Gone to Calgary. Approx. Age: 1 years Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, Brasso and Jimmy were dumped in front of our house so we happily opened our doors and took them in. They are both a handful and very smart. Brasso likes to be the boss, has high energy and a wonderful disposition. He has had his vaccinations and we are going to spay him this coming week at the clinic on Ilsa Mujeres.

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Jimmy Status: Gone to Calgary Approx. Age: 1 years Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, Brasso and Jimmy were dumped in front of our house so we happily opened our doors and took them in. They are both a handful and very smart. Jimmy loves to run, has high energy and is a bit shy with people. He has had his vaccinations and we are going to spay him this coming week at the clinic on Ilsa Mujeres.

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Name: Kiwi Status: Gone to Edmonton Approx. Age: 3 Sex: Female Comments:       I’ve had Kiwi for three years and love her to bits, but she went to Edmonton to find her forever home, I’m going to miss her a lot. Kiwi is Peewee’s litter mate and has been her since she was a pup because I would like to adopt them out together. They are both magnificent dogs and all they want is their own loving home. She is spayed and vaccinated.

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Viernes Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoption Approx. Age: 1 year Sex: Female Comments:       November, 2010, people have been asking me to take in this abandoned dog for ever. I resisted because often pit bulls don’t fit in with all my dogs. I didn’t need to worry, she is a doll. She loves all people and all dogs. She is spayed and vaccinated and waiting for a wonderful home.

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Irene Status: Gone to Calgary – Available for adoption Approx. Age: 4 months Sex: Female Comments:       November, 2010, a woman came to my gate yesterday with this beautiful black pup. She said that she found her in the street but she already had too many dogs. Now this is a cute pup. She is full of beans but slept quietly on a towel beside our bed. This morning I tied a knot in a rag and you’d think I’d given her the most wonderful toy. She gets along with other dogs very well and already has her first vaccine.

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Sergio Status: Adopted Approx. Age: 3 1/2 months Sex: Male Comments:       November, 2010, this little guy has had a rough time. He was found on the south end of the island. He was thin and sick so I sent him straight the Erica, a wonderful vet on the mainland. When he came home I took him in to be neutered and it didn’t go well so he went back to Erica’s again. Now he is recovering well and gets perkier everyday. What a trooper.

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Name: Peewee Status: Gone to Edmonton. Approx. Age: 3 years Sex: Male Comments:       November 2010, I’ve had both Kiwi and Pewee for three years and just adore them both but it was time for them to have their own homes, so we sent them to Edmonton, I’m going to miss them both. We found Pewee and his litter mate Kiwi at a gas station near Grand Puerto in Cancun. There were two litters together, thirteen pups in all but when we first saw them they were too young to take from the mother. When we finally brought them to the island there were only seven left. Unfortunately these are the only two that survived so they are tough and unbelievably sweet. Peewee is shy but more outgoing than his litter mate Kiwi. He is handsome and healthy and will make a great friend for some lucky person. He has been neutered and is current on all of his vaccinations.

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Name: Brucey Status: Adopted by a couple on the island. Approx. Age: 3 months Sex: Male November 2010, this lovely family of pups were found on the streets of Cancun. They are gorgeous, friendly and happy to be loved and fed. He is neutered and has his first vaccination. I haven’t had time to get to know them but when I do I will post news about them.

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Name: Rip Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Male Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties. We neutered Rip on Dec. 4, 2010.

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Brittany Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, Christie and Brittany are litter-mates. We named them after a vet and vet tech that volunteered at our last spay and neuter clinic and they were great. These pups came in during the clinic, they are vaccinated and doing well.

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Samson Status: Adopted. Approx. Age: 3 months Sex: Male Comments:       Dec. 10, 2010, he was adopted yesterday and we cross our fingers for a good match. We will check on him in a week. November 2010, Samson was brought to me from Cancun by a woman, Irene, who helps me with the dogs. He is strong, healthy, neutered and vaccinated.

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Name: Tim Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Male Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties. Some wonderful people came by with donations today so I named the puppies after them.

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Name: Georgia Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties. Some wonderful people came by with donations today so I named the puppies after them.

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Name: Daisy Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties. Some wonderful people came by with donations today so I named the puppies after them. We spayed Daisy on Dec. 4, 2010.

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Name: Rita Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties.

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Name: Renee Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 5-6 weeks Sex: Female Comments:         November 2010, during the spay and neuter clinic that we did at the pound in Cancun someone brought in a litter of six pups. They were only two weeks old and there was no mom so a wonderful woman named Nelly took them home and fostered them until they were big enough to come to Isla Mujeres. They are doing so well, I have them in a special little section that I reserve for the little bitties.

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Comments:         Mona Status: Adopted by someone on the island. Approx. Age: 1-2 years Sex: Female Comments:       Dec. 3, 2010, people have been calling me about this sweet girl for a month. She hung out downtown and charmed everyone that met her. She’s obviously had puppies and some care because she’s in good health. We’ve had her spay and vaccinated and she is at the house now, what a doll.

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Laura Status: Gone to New York where they can figure out what is wrong with her. Approx. Age: 1 1/2 years Sex: Female Comments:       Dec. 10, poor Laura is back at the vet, she has problems with her kidneys and her immune system. We are trying to get this all worked out so she can come back here. November, 2010, on the last day of our clinic, on the main land, someone brought this female in because she’d been grazed by a taxi. She screeched when we picked her up so I took her to the vet to be checked out. It turned out that the poor thing had a horrible bladder infection which we’re treating but she still screeches. I know why, she’s a street dog and hasn’t been touched, it’s the same with puppies that we find, they just aren’t used to it. We have Laura in a very comfortable place and every time someone goes by they pet her, she’s starting to love it. Then yesterday she really came alive, in fact I’m thinking of changing her name to Turkey, she went crazy over our Thanksgiving dinner left overs. In fact she’s now my new best friend.

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Clara Status: Went to Calgary. Approx. Age: 10 weeks Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, we did a spay and neuter clinic in a small jungle town called San Cosme. We brought in animals from the surrounding settlements, some as small as 10 homes. One of these towns was called Naranjal and the people were very nice but had a different attitude towards their animals. They weren’t cruel, they just never touched them. I got four dogs from one family, they couldn’t afford to feed them and thought I was quite nutty to want their skinny pups. She is spayed and has her first vaccination.

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Colette Status: Adopted by a wonderful family on the island. Approx. Age: 2 months Sex: Female Comments:       November 2010, these two came in off the streets of Isla Mujeres. What a beautiful pair. They love to play and to cuddle. Both have been vaccinated and are doing very well.

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