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The Humane Society of Cozumel |
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A Vital Community Service in Need of
Volunteers & Donations to Benefit Our Furry Friends
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The Humane Society of Cozumel is a legally established, non-profit organization. The clinic/shelter has been operating since 1996 and is open Tuesdays-Sundays, 9 am to 5 pm and Mondays 9am to 1pm. There is a full-time resident veterinarian, a vet technical/manager and a kennel person who provide basic veterinary services at a low cost and spay/neuter surgeries for a donation. The clinic also offers a pet adoption program and humane euthanasia when needed. The shelter depends highly on donations and the help of volunteers. The support of animal lovers is needed in many ways to continue this vital service for the Cozumel community!
Our goal is to control pet over population humanely and promote animal welfare through a humane and ethical population control program.
- The Humane Society began a permanent free spay/neuter program in January 1997
- Over 4000 animals, between cats and dogs have been spayed/neutered at the clinic.
- In order to truly make a difference, 70% of the total dog/cat population needs to be neutered. In Cozumel this translates to approximately 9,000 dogs and 5,000 cats. This will effectively get the population under control and unwanted animals will be rare. This IS a reachable goal. And if we make it, we will become an example that an ethical population program, has better results than massive extermination. This will make a huge difference!
- Because we realize we cannot do it alone, since 2003 the Humane Society has been pushing towards establishing a community based, massive spay/neuter campaign, following the guidelines of Costa Rica's McKee Project (www.McKeeProject.org). Designed for Latin American communities, the program is based on working with the community force to achieve results, without the need of a big grant that may never come. Little by little, we are taking steps towards having the local vets involved in a permanent, low-cost spay/neuter/education campaign.
- In 2002, McKee Executive Director Dr. Gerardo Vicente from Costa Rica visited Cozumel to explain the program to local veterinarians.
- In 2003, a practical course on safe spay/neuter techniques (like SPAY-USA) was provided to local vets by Dr. Blas Rivas, a McKee affiliated surgeon. Since then, a number of local vets are already spaying and neutering at low cost. Our goal is to have every vet on the Island do the same.
- In decade plus since 2003, the shelter has continued to grow and expand its operation to serve more and more homeless animals and all thanks to its wonderful, supportive and ongoing donors.
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The Humane Society needs your help! There are many ways to get involved. |
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Donate Supplies
- The top priority for our "Wish List" is materials needed for spay/neuter surgeries.
- Sample needs: sutures (Vicryl or similar, only 2-0 and 3-0. We can use expired sutures so ask your vets for the ones they can give you.); sterile gloves (sizes 6.5, 7.5 and 8); surgical instruments (scalpel blades, scalpel handles, spay hooks, hemostats); and gauze.
- If you have access to other kinds of material, equipment or medications, please contact us first. We appreciate donations, but we have very specific needs and limited storage.
- In addition to the surgical items above, we need various supplies for pet care, office and maintenance needs. Email us humane@cozumelinsider.com for a current "Wish List".
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Volunteer Your Time
- In addition to the surgical items above, we need various supplies for pet care, office and maintenance needs. Email us at
pets@humanecozumel.org for a current "Wish List".
- Volunteer for ½ day or at least visit the shelter when you come on vacation.
- Talk to your veterinarian. Promote our "Visiting Vet Program" that has very attractive benefits as a result of generous support from local businesses. Visiting vets receive discounts on scuba diving, accommodations and selected restaurants. For non-diving veterinarians, discounts are offered for other water activities like snorkeling or parasailing. Visiting vets share their knowledge with our resident vet and also bring donated supplies or equipment. Thanks to contributions from visiting vets, we have most of the basics. However, we provide vets with a detailed wish list.
- Local residents who would like to become involved with the Humane Society may volunteer to work at the shelter occasionally or on an ongoing basis. Another volunteer opportunity is to participate in the Volunteer Staff Discussion that meets the first Wednesday of each month at Rock 'n Java Café on Melgar, at 4:00 p.m. Support Financial Needs.
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Support Financial Needs
- Financial contributions may be made on the island to Lisa at Rock 'n Java Cafe. Please call872-6162 and some one will coordinate how to pick up your donation.
- From the USA, donations can be made using the Cozumel Humane Society's PAYPAL Account.
- Join our "Adopt a Kennel" program. Your name or business logo is painted on one of the kennels for a sponsorship donation of $250-$900 a year. The donation can be made on an annual or monthly basis in the form of cash or an exchange of services needed by the Humane Society. Cash sponsorships can be made on the island or in the US to the individuals listed above. We currently have 10 kennel sponsors and need more.
- Donate "gently used" clothing or household items for garage sales held periodically to benefit our furry friends. Contact Lisa or Monica to drop off donated items.
- Buy Humane Society of Cozumel T-shirts and caps. Proceeds go to the shelter. Also, look for our new, colorful POSTCARDS. Designed by local artist Vianney Vivas, we have now 8 different postcards designed exclusively for the Humane Society of Cozumel.
- Drop a few pesos in the Humane Society collection boxes in shops or restaurants throughout the island.
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Adopt a Pet
- Visit the shelter and select an adorable island dog or cat to take home with you. If you are a visitor to the island and cozumeleño critter steals your heart, check with your airline; Some airlines (American, Mexicana, US Airways) allow a pet to travel with you at a fixed rate of under US$100. The shelter will help you with the medical exam and required shots as well as a health certificate. Other airlines, particularly some charter flights, prohibit bringing pets on-board. Shipping an animal is possible and we have shipped a number of them! However the price goes up to around US$450.
Foster Pet Program
- Those living on Cozumel interested in fostering newborn puppies or kittens should also contact the Human Society of Cozumel at its shelter location by calling 987 112 3376. This commitment requires feeding (every 3 hours), administering medicines, maintaining animal hygiene and lots of loving and nurturing.
More Information
If you have questions or need additional information about the Society of Cozumel, send an email to pets@humanecozumel.org or call the shelter locally at 987 112 3376.
If you have general questions about other volunteer opportunities or community service organizations that benefit the community of Cozumel, contact Volunteer Connection: cvc@cozumelinsider.com
The Humane Society would like to acknowledge Dr. Blas Rivas for his generous contribution of the animal surgery course, free of charge. Please visit his website www.catsdogscostarica.com
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