The good old days
By Kathi Hamblet

I think most people who enjoy San Miguel must have a bit of yearning to step back in time. It is possible that those of us who spend time each week at the SPA need to hold on to any positive reason to celebrate the good things about running a shelter in Mexico. When compassion fatigue sets in, one must find a way to see the glass as half full, and the idea that we have some benefits in Mexico that many of the shelters up north do not enjoy helps ease the daily setbacks.

The people who work for the SPA have a favorite expression: “It’s about the animals.” We use it often when hard decisions need to be made and discussions veer in a direction that is clearly “about the people.”

In other parts of the world the most progressive shelters must consider a host of “people problems” including liability insurance, lawsuits, code violations, funding requirements and so forth.

Last week I had an opportunity to watch Animal Planet on TV. I watched as special agents from Detroit and Miami went out to find and rescue neglected and abused animals. I was appalled to see that even animals that were almost dead and clearly suffering were loaded up to return to the clinic to be assessed. To protect themselves from lawsuits and to document all the important facts that were needed to build a prosecutable case, the animals were put through more pain and suffering by the system. Even though their spines and ribs were practically sticking through their skin, the animals had to be put through 600 tests then turned sideways and upside-down for photographs to prove they had been malnourished and neglected. Days later, after all legal documentation was collected, they were humanely euthanized. They spent the last days of their lives in a three-by-three-foot stainless steel cage being poked and prodded and kept alive with IV’s just to collect evidence. Most of the time it is impossible to get enoug

h evidence to take legal action and they move on to the next case. Is this really about what is best for the animal? 

The “no kill” shelters up north need to follow very specific guidelines to keep that status and receive funding. They have found a perfect loophole. Any animals that are not adopted in a reasonable period of time get transported to a “kill” shelter where they can be euthanized without losing funding. It is well known that many of these sister-shelters share in the funds.

It is what it is. I do not think people running those shelters care any less about the animals than we do, and many decisions they make are for very important long-term changes. I must say that it is a bit easier here in Mexico, where we can put the “people problems” aside most of the time, like in the good old days, and make it only “about the animals.” 

Paloma is our dog of the week. She is a Pit Bull mix that forgot she is supposed to have a fighting spirit. She was found abandoned in the street and I am guessing she did not make the grade as a fighter or even a guard dog because her tail never stops wagging. Paloma is good with other dogs, avoids conflict of any kind and is not food-aggressive. She is very well socialized and after just a few training sessions she is following basic commands and will do anything to please. A few groceries and a safe loving home will give this girl a second chance!

Kittens really need to get adopted together for the simple reason that just watching them play together will add years to your life. Chaps and Sweetie are siblings that were brought in together. They were already socialized and so playful and healthy when they arrived that they lit up the sunporch where the kittens romp. Even the shy, timid kids had to come out from hiding to see what was happening.

Please stop by the Sociedad Protectora de Animales to see all of our great animals. We are open from 11am until 2pm for volunteers and visitors. We are located at los Pinos 7, right off Calzada de la Estación. Visit www.spasanmiguel.org to learn more about us.

Vote for SAMM online
By Kelly Karger

Save a Mexican Mutt (SAMM) is entered in a contest to win between US$50 and $10,000 to help further its mission to rescue homeless street dogs. Readers can help by going to http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/73189  and casting their vote for SAMM. 

The goal of the contest is to reward local shelters and rescue groups for their work with homeless animals and to increase public awareness about the need to support pet adoptions to save animals' lives.