New facility gives animals a chance
By Christy Crabtree
It’s great news for la Asociacion Pro- Defensa Animal A.C (APRODEA), an animal welfare group located in Juarez, Mexico. Recently they were appropriated land by the government, which they will use to build an adoption and education center.
According to Alma Gabilondo, a member of APRODEA, “The government here in Juarez has finally donated us land to build our adoption center, shelter, and spay and neuter clinic. It will be the only shelter in the entire state of Chihuahua and we plan to make it a model center for all of Mexico.”
The center will include shelter facilities as well as a clinic whose services will be free to those who cannot afford to spay or neuter their pets.
Recently their first annual benefit was held to help support their cause and to bring attention to the plight of the animals as well as bring together the local community in animal love unity. Along with the fundraiser, APRODEA also partners with Compassion without Borders. Compassion without Borders is an international, non-profit organization that through grass roots and volunteer efforts brings help and information to Mexico and her animal inhabitants. In 2001, Christi Payne, a fourth year veterinary student, and her husband, Juan (Moncho) Ramon Camblor founded the international rescue group.
Working alongside APRODEA, they initiated a humane euthanasia program at the animal control center in Juarez, daily food and water provisions and training classes for the animal control officers staffed by ACO’s from the Marin Humane Society. When the organization is able, animals on death row are rescued, quarantined, vaccinated and then taken to California where they are given a chance at a good life through adoption by partner rescue organizations and local shelters.
Currently in Mexico overpopulation is a major issue and APRODEA hopes to combat it with education and assistance and through their efforts help the animals of today find loving homes and create a better world for the animals of tomorrow. The sterilization clinic, a concept gaining more ground in Mexico, will help with the overpopulation but that alone cannot fix the problem. They will also be working with the local residents to educate them on the humane treatment of animals and how overpopulation and other issues can be addressed.
The future of the Juarez animals looks bright and with organizations such as APRODEA and Compassion without Borders working to highlight their cause the only way to go is up.
What You Can DoAPRODEA is asking for donations for their new facility and all donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made through Compassion without Borders. Every last cent will go towards the shelter and helping the animals. The group itself is entirely volunteer based.
To make a donation please visit
http://www.cwob.org/aprodea.html