Amigos de Animales - November newsletter

Moderator_02 · November 18, 2023

Our mission is to provide low cost spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and to promote the general welfare of animals in our community and surrounding areas.

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AMIGOS DE ANIMALES BOQUETE PANAMÁ

NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

CLINIC POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER 26TH

The October clinic was postponed to Sunday November 26th. We will make a decision by early Friday November 24th if we need to postpone the clinic again. Please WhatsApp Rosa at 6563-8686 if you have any questions.

CLINIC MUSINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

We're starting a new section from our newish President, Leslie Sherling:

We have recently changed some of our major processes at our monthly clinic. One result of these changes is that I have found some time on my hands to actually take in what's going on at the clinic rather than just running from situation to situation in recovery.

I observed that we had an outstanding group of school volunteers at the last clinic. There were some new volunteers and some returning volunteers.

What stood out to me was their care and empathy for these animals, as well as their vigilance and dedication to taking the best care of them that they could. The smiles on their faces reflecting the enjoyment of helping these animals was contagious.

These volunteers will be the future doctors, veterinarians, and community leaders here in Boquete, in Panama, maybe the world.

After what I saw, you know what, I think we are in pretty good hands.

NOVEMBER 14th MINI-CLINIC

We had registered over 300 animals for our October clinic, so when it was postponed, it meant a lot of animals would become pregnant waiting just one month. Kirsten Quimby and some of our other wonderful collectors asked if we could do a smaller clinic to get some of those animals spayed or neutered. Of course, we said we'll find a way!

On Tuesday November 14th, we spayed or neutered 42 animals, 41 cats and 1 dog (cats are much quicker). A big thanks to Kirsten, our collectors, and our dedicated volunteers for finding a way to get this done when most everyone in Chiriqui had little gas in their tanks. What a team we have!!

"THEY ASKED - WE ANSWERED" FUNDRAISER FOR CLINICS IN 5 LOCAL SCHOOLS

Last week we kicked off our year-end campaign to raise funds to do sterilization clinics near Boquete-area schools where our volunteers have been helping.

After two clinics in our schools, we know that one very important piece is our mobile van.

With the van we are able to pack up everything that is needed to put on a clinic for up to 200 animals. Add a few volunteers and a veterinarian or two or three as well as a school to set up, we are good to go.

The one other necessary ingredient is your help.

We have 5 schools on the waiting list for a clinic.

At a cost of $40.00 to sterilize a dog or cat, we need $4,000 per clinic to sterilize 100 animals.

The van, the volunteers, the schools are all ready to go!

Can you help us spay it forward with your donation?

Please click on the button below.

Click here to donate

ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE POSTPONED

The "Holiday Boutique" that was scheduled for November 18 has been postponed to January 13 and has been renamed the "Arts and Craft Market". This event is a celebration of creativity and will feature a wide range of handmade items from local artisans. Visitors can expect to find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, including jewelry, iron work, wood work, soaps, textiles, and more.

The "Arts and Craft Market" is a great opportunity to support local artists and find the perfect gift for someone special. Whether you're looking for a unique piece of jewelry or a beautiful piece of woodwork, you're sure to find something that catches your eye.

VIP tickets are $25 which includes a special gift, free beverage and early entry (11:30). General admission is $5 and includes a gift with access from 1 - 4 PM.

Each vendor will donate a prize to be raffled. Raffle tickets can be purchased and placed in containers at the vendor(s) of your choice.

So mark your calendars for January 13th and come out to the "Arts and Craft Market" to celebrate creativity and support local artists. We look forward to seeing you there! Click here for more information, or contact Sherry Shirritt at sshirritt@gmail.com. Tickets are available at BCP Tuesday Market, Mailboxes, Mike's Global Grill and Larry's Place.

BOQUETE NATURE & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Get your tickets now for the Music Festival to be held at TapOut on February 10 & 11, 2024. Tickets are $69 for each day. Proceeds benefit Amigos de Animales, DogCamp and Kids Camp Boquete.

Tickets can be bought at the BCP Tuesday Market. Contact Carol Cardinale-Santana at cardinalesantana@gmail.com .

GET TO KNOW OUR AMIGOS DE ANIMALES FAMILY

This month we're featuring another Panameño volunteer:

Name: Giovanna “Giovy” Rojas

Your position/title with AdA: Admitting Concierge

How long have you been working with AdA? I started as a volunteer with the AdA clinics in 2007 for nearly two years. Then I left the area for business and family reasons.

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I started to volunteer again in July 2022 as part of the non-profit organization “Dejando Huellas Boquete” whose purpose is to minimize the risk of unwanted animals. For that reason, we encourage our members to volunteer at the monthly sterilization clinics.

Can you tell us a little bit more about what you do with AdA? My position is in Admiitting. When owners bring their pets to the clinic, we interact with them and their pets, try to address any questions or concerns they may have and help them as needed.

Why would you encourage others to volunteer here with AdA? Once you volunteer at the clinic, you will want to continue. It feels so good to help people and pets and help prevent the needless suffering of animals who don’t have a safe place to live or food to eat.

Click here for the rest of Giovy's story and more pictures on our website.

KIBBLE & BITS:

• Food Drive: We are continuing to feed needy dogs and cats in Boquete at a cost of over $1,700 per month. You can donate by clicking here

• Membership Drive: Sign up for your annual Amigos de Animales membership and receive a great car magnet. Membership is still only $10. You can sign up at the BCP Tuesday Market or at a clinic.

• Gift certificates: We have made gift certificates in the denomination of $10 and $20, the price of an individual sterilization for a cat or a dog. Give your neighbors, gardeners and maids certificates for their dogs and cats. Let’s help each other help each other!
These certificates are an easy way to help. They are available at the Animales table at the BCP Tuesday Market, at Mike's Global Grill or at the clinics

• Educational Outreach program: We are visiting local schools to educate students about proper care for their pets, and the importance of spaying and neutering animals. Please email Katrina at katrinakneebone@gmail.com if you can help. Click here to donate, or click here to volunteer.

• Spay or neuter your animal: we get new requests daily and are doing clinics by appointment only. Contact Rosa, our appointment coordinator, at 6563-8686 to be added to our list.

• Rescue/adoption?: The mission of Amigos de Animales is strictly spay and neuter, we are not a rescue, adoption or veterinary service. Please do not ask Rosa about any other service - there are many other rescue groups in and around Boquete.

• We have been updating our website - check it out here

• Animales is always looking for stories and pictures to share in this newsletter.

Please contact Andy at andy@syvcc.us if you are interested.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS

• Training - you can watch our training here. We have training sessions for new volunteers Saturday at 9:45 the day before each clinic. Contact Leslie @ volunteer@aadab.org if you have any questions.

• Clinics - Sunday November 26, 2023 (held the last Sunday of each month - we are dark in December)

• Giving Tuesday - Tuesday November 28, 2023 - a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world

• 2024 Calendars - coming soon (unfortunately, the paper is in Panama City)

• Annual Holiday Boutique Arts & Craft Market - Saturday January 13, 2024 - see above and click here for more details. Contact Sherry Shirritt at sshirritt@gmail.com.

• Boquete Nature & Music Festival - Saturday & Sunday February 10 & 11, 2024. See above. Contact Carol Cardinale-Santana at cardinalesantana@gmail.com for more details.

• Volunteer Appreciation Party - coming soon - watch for more details.

WAYS TO HELP AMIGOS DE ANIMALES:

• Donations: Any amount will help.

Click here for ways you can make a donation

• If you would like to volunteer for Animales, contact Leslie or Raquel at volunteer@aadab.org

• If you can donate dog or cat food, please drop it off at the Amigos de Boquete office in Alto Dorado or contact us @ info@aadab.org

• Don't forget, the Animales Events Center is available to rent for meetings and gatherings of any kind. Contact Sherry Shirritt at sshirritt@gmail.com or 6858-3607.