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Lakeside Friends of the Animals (LFA) can be proud of its accomplishments for the year 2007. Topping the list are the more than 1,000 spays and neuters that LFA financed for Mexican people who could not have otherwise afforded to have their pets sterilized. LFA helped low income pet owners to obtain emergency veterinary care for their cats and dogs and it helped rescued pets and wildlife in shelter facilities to get a second chance by providing food, vaccinations, and feline leukemia testing. Here is a summary of the accomplishment for each of LFA's animal assistance programs for 2007: SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM LFA funded 1,068 sterilizations of cats and dogs owned by Mexican nationals of limited means. These surgeries were coordinated through non-profit animal groups including Lakeside Spay and Neuter, the Animal Shelter, Anita's Animals, and Cuco Olmeda. EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM In 2007 LFA helped scores low income families to pay for emergency care for sick and injured pets. LFA helped with expenses for the care of fractures, lacerations, and poisonings and even to make the last hours of life pain free. People brought sick and injured pets for help to Ladrón de Guevara Animal Clinic by bus or car or even by on foot with animals in arms. We helped them all. FELINE LEUKEMIA TESTING PROGRAM LFA purchased the testing kits that made it possible for cats entering the Animal Shelter or Anita's Animals to be tested for feline leukemia. More than 270 cats were tested Fifteen percent of all cats tested were positive. It is satisfying to know that we are helping to eradicate the disease that is the biggest killer of cats in this area. FEEDING PROGRAM LFA also provided Anita's Animals with 5,000 pesos per month for food to help feed the animals in her care and another 5,000 pesos for food for the animals sheltered at the Lakeside Wildlife Rescue Center. In September 2007, LFA provided 276 kilos of food for the displaced dogs and cats that survived the disastrous mudslides that ravaged the village of San Juan Cosala. Food for LFA feeding programs is purchased through the Animal Shelter Store where all profits from food sales go to support the shelter cats and dogs. IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM LFA paid for 300 immunizations for the shelter animals at Anita's Animals. EDUCATION PROGRAM LFA ordered 50 educational books from the Pedigree pet food company. The Spanish language book teaches children about the proper care of dogs and cats. We will place these books in school libraries in the lakeside area. LFA worked with Lakeside Wildlife Rescue Center on community education at the 2007 Chili Cook Off, talking to children and adults about wildlife and domestic animals. LFA members also worked at the Technical School for three days in March teaching 3,000 school children about protecting wild animals and caring for pets. We created a pamphlet on these topics jointly with the wildlife group and distributed 1,000 during this important educational event. LFA can be proud of its accomplishments for 2007 but we cannot rest because the need is too great. With continued community support the animals of the Lake Chapala area can look forward to an even better 2008. |
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