Oct. 5th - Update from rapid response manager Rich Crook.

Thanks to widespread television, radio and newspaper coverage, we’ve been successful in educating people about the benefits of spay/neuter and vaccination. They’re beginning to show up asking to have their animals sterilized, rather than us having to talk them into it. In addition, we’re starting to get a bigger response; people were lined up at the clinic yesterday before we arrived.

Food
Pedigree had shipped us three tons of food, but it ended up in a regional government supply office (the equivalent of a FEMA field office in the states). The offices provide storage for aid going to the people, but evidently they didn’t know who the dog food was for so they simply stored it. We are now working on getting a letter from our original contact with Pedigree to get the food released to us.

Vaccines
In an effort to ease our cash-flow situation, I spoke to our pharmacist about an alternative to paying cash for our de-wormer and vaccines. He is okay with us dropping off an order and sending a check overnight. He understands he will not receive the checks for several days, but is willing to give it try.

Staff
Keith Cliver, who works in Dog Town at the sanctuary, is arriving to replace Roy Coscio, who is heading back to Utah. Roy did a great job. I’ve worked with Keith in the field before and I’m looking forward to his arrival. He’ll be able to pick up some of Roy’s translation duties.