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One of the first things most of us notice upon spending any time in Mazatlán are the many street animals: dogs and cats surviving, barely, with no home or visible means of care. Bone-thin dogs roaming the streets and colonies of wild cats living in abandoned lots abound.
Touched by this situation, Centro residents and neighbors Jan Macdonald and Susan Reynada formed Projecto Animales de la Calle (PAC) to try and help these innocent animals. Their idea was simple: using a program known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), they hoped to stabilize the many cat colonies and, over time, reduce the population.
“Colonies of cats can thrive, but not grow, and bothersome behaviors like fighting, spraying and the constant kittens can be eliminated,” PAC’s literature explains.
Volunteers trap the animals and take them to participating vets to be spayed or neutered. Cats that have been fixed have their ears “tipped” for ID. They’re returned to the same areas they came from. To date, more than 150 cats and six dogs have been fixed.
Certain cat colony “hotspots” have been identified in Centro: on Calle Venustiano Carranza, Mirador, Calle Campania and Calle Pedregoso. Well-meaning people often feed the wild cats, creating a dependence which can be destructive if they leave, move away or stop. If PAC knows about the colonies, they can assist with food and care.
By loving these poor animals...I can help.
Danny Irvine started feeding street animals on his own in his neighborhood on Cerro del Vigia in 2004. He soon connected with Jan and PAC.
“Why do I care? Why do I spend money on food for dogs and cats of the street? Why do I spend two hours or more at sunset four times a week walking around Cerro del Vigia to feed these animals and offer them love and a little of the human touch?” said Danny. “One word: karma.”
“By loving these poor animals - the 28 cats I’m currently feeding and watering - by collecting scraps of meat and giving it to the starving dogs on the street, I can help,” he said.
PAC is always in need of volunteers and is run completely through private donations of money, dog and cat food. The annual Bow Wow Meow Fundraiser in March, a buffet/cocktail party and auction, generates the majority of revenue for the group.
Tracey Grantham has been involved with PAC for about a year since moving here with her husband. The almost-dead street dog they rescued is now doing great and recently delivered six healthy puppies.
“It’s a great group of people that all have the same goal - helping the street animals of Mazatlan,” she said. “If everyone could just help one animal, we could really get a handle on the problem here.” - JB
Projecto Animales de la Calle (PAC) welcomes donations of money for vet costs, canned dog & cat food, kibble and litter, all of which can be dropped off at the Mazatlan Lending Library in Centro. Volunteers are needed to trap and drive, and adoptive parents for cats are always needed. Contact: Jan Macdonald at 669-162-1931, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Comments
Ive rescued a dog and a cat from streets before.. even tho I couldnt keep them as my pets I was able to find a good place for them, both of them girls had puppies/kittens, it brings me lots of satisfaction and helps me feeling good with myself.. Where do I sign?
Ive rescued a dog and a cat from streets before.. even tho I couldnt keep them as my pets I was able to find a good place for them, both of them girls had puppies/kittens, it brings me lots of satisfaction and helps me feeling good with myself.. Where do I sign?
Ive rescued a dog and a cat from streets before.. even tho I couldnt keep them as my pets I was able to find a good place for them, both of them girls had puppies/kittens, it brings me lots of satisfaction and helps me feeling good with myself.. Where do I sign?