President's Annual Report 2008

by LFA President Aileen McTague

Lakeside Friends of the Animals (LFA) is proud of its accomplishments for the year 2008. Here is a summary of those accomplishments for each of LFA's animal assistance programs:

SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM

LFA funded 1,200 sterilizations of cats and dogs owned by Mexican nationals of limited means.
The LFA sponsored surgeries were a result of coordinated efforts with several other non-profit animal welfare groups including Lakeside Spay and Neuter, Anita's Animal Shelter, The Animal Shelter and Cuco Olmeda's Jocotopec Group.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM

In 2008, LFA helped scores of low income Mexican families to pay for emergency care expenses for sick and injured pets. Animals were treated for fractures, lacerations, poisonings and in some cases to make their last hours of life pain free. People brought sick and injured pets to the Ladron de Guevara Animal Hospital by bus, car or on foot with animals in arms. We helped them all.

FELINE LEUKEMIA TESTING PROGRAM

In 2008 LFA purchased testing kits that made it possible for cats entering the Animal Shelter or Anita's Animals to be tested for feline leukemia. More than 280 cats were tested with 12 % testing positive. Three years ago our percentage of cats testing positive was 20%. It is satisfying to know that we are helping to eradicate a disease that is the biggest killer of cats in this area.

FEEDING PROGRAM

In 2008 LFA provided monthly food allowances to several animal shelters totaling 12,000 pesos. Recipients included Anita's Animals, Lakeside Wildlife Rescue Center and three other worthy individuals caring for large numbers of cats and dogs.

IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

LFA paid for 300 immunizations for shelter animals at Anita's Animals.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Through the Pedigree pet food company, LFA placed 50 educational books in Spanish in local school libraries. The books teach children how to properly care for pets. LFA worked with the Lakeside Wildlife Rescue Center on community education at the 2008 Chili Cook-Off by talking to children and adults about wildlife and domestic animals. In October, community educational efforts with the Wildlife Rescue Center were repeated in a 3 day workshop for school children in which 3,000 children participated.

WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

Each year we see animals in need. Mexicans of limited means are coming to us for help; non-for profit animal shelters such as Anita's Animals, Lakeside Spay and Neuter, the Animal Shelter and several other small shelters look to us for assistance. Please help us so that we might continue to help them. Lakeside Friends of the Animals is committed to carrying forward with its programs thereby "Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves."