| PATAS was founded in May 2003 by
a small group of women both Mexican and American that shared the
same concerns for the impoverished animals of the Puerto Aventuras
Poblado and chose to do something about it.
It all began when Kate Lewis
told Vilma Bay de Constandse and Lucia de Leon that friends from
the U.S. were donating and sending to her some used veterinary equipment
and that Eduardo and Simon, two Playa del Carmen veterinarians,
were willing to donate a weekend to spay and neuter. This greatly
interested Vilma and she suggested they use a brand new building
and property that she owned in the Poblado where the workers and
the poor people live. It had actually been her dream to help the
many animals in need. With this common thread of love for the animals
these women began the foundation for PATAS. When Sally Woods
heard about this she immediately helped by asking for donations
and organized a fund raiser to purchase the anesthesia, antibiotics
and other medicines and surgical supplies that would be needed.
As these major pieces fell into place Lucy and Wendy Simpson undertook
the responsibility of canvassing the Poblado convincing the villagers
to bring their cats and dogs to the first free clinic.
This clinic was such
a success that Vilma volunteered her property to be used
for future clinics. Encouraged, the founders learned how to vaccinate
and treat mange and other devastating problems caused by fleas and
ticks. Educating the people and children became a main focus. Health,
protection and care of animals is a new concept for most of the
village people. |
A volunteering group of Vets known as Vidas
soon came and held a clinic for spaying and neutering and successfully
operated on 65 cats and dogs. Next, a group from the University
of Merida Veterinarian School came and operated on 35 animals and
the community fed and housed these volunteers.
As time passed, Vilma's husband-
Oscar Constandse, saw the continued commitment of the volunteers
and the obvious success these clinics were having on the Poblado
people and their animals. So, he decided to pay for a Veterinarian
to come every Saturday to continue the much needed spaying and neutering
as well as perform emergency surgeries and treatments. Every Saturday
about 5 or 6 animals are sterilized meaning that 200 to 250 animals
are operated on annually. Lucy faithfully opens and organizes the
Saturday clinic with Kate who has taken many of the needy animals
into her home for care and rehabilitation. Sally continues to help
and raise funds. Vilma has been a careful administrator as her husband
Oscar and many others continue to meet the financial needs.
PATAS is very
proud of the service they provide and hope this success
will spread to other communities in the Yucatan. It has been by
the generous and heartfelt help from the many volunteers, financial
benefactors, the professional web page designer Lenny Kraus, local
veterinarians and organizations such as Vidas
and Nacer that has allowed this good work
to continue. |
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)