Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - When I moved to Puerto Vallarta almost seven years ago I was struck by the overpopulation of unwanted cats and dogs. Since then, I have been an active and passionate supporter of animal organizations in the area. I co-founded the SPCAPV and later joined the board of directors of PEACE. During my three-year board term, from July 2009 to July 2012, my fundraising efforts were focused almost entirely on the spay/neuter clinics.

As you may or may not know, PEACE's programs in Punta de Mita are now being run by a group of donors under a new organization called Peace Punta de Mita, AC. The board of directors has decided to focus primarily on activities in the neighborhoods of Punta de Mita and will no longer run PEACE's spay & neuter clinics.

When that decision was made, I asked a small group of animal advocates, business people who have been physically and financially involved in animal welfare, to help plan for the continuation of the mobile free spay/neuter clinics. Brischa Borchgrevink, Ron Ragsdale, Matt Messner, Neil Sechan and I compose the membership of the PEACEAnimals fundraising committee.

Volunteers Caroline, Pat, Diana, and Cathy

Sterilization programs do the greatest good for the greatest number of animals and are the only solution to reducing animal suffering caused by overpopulation. Last week we met with an accountant and lawyer for PEACE and with Amy Welch, treasurer of PEACE (USA), whose husband Bill Welch acts as the pro bono accountant and lawyer for PEACE (USA). The intention was to better understand Mexican legal and fiscal considerations involved in supporting clinics.

Based on the advice we received, we have determined that the best option is to work with the PEACE vets as independent contractors who will provide spay & neuter clinics as a service to the community. We will provide oversight and raise visibility and funds for the clinics. We are confident we have the right business model for success.

PEACE has spayed and neutered over 4,000 animals annually for the past few years. Provided there is funding, PEACE vets, Dr. Poli and Dr. Anthony, will continue to operate at clinics every week for 46-48 weeks a year. They have chosen to partner with Paulina Stettner, who will serve as vet tech and director of clinics.

Paulina is a bilingual former PEACE clinic employee and has also been employed at the SPCAPV shelter in Puerto Vallarta. We are committed to supporting these three exceptionally talented and trustworthy individuals who love animals and who love their work.

For the month of May, the Humane Society International (HSI) gave a $10,000 USD grant specifically for the clinics, with the expectation that at least 400 animals would be sterilized. To date, 230 dogs and cats have been sterilized with two more clinics remaining for May.

In addition to the HSI grant, $20,000 USD more has been raised to support the continuation of the clinics. We need to raise approximately $45,000 USD to keep the clinics funded for a year, starting June 12. The estimated annual budget for clinics is approximately $60,000 USD.

The clinics matter. They're important. They have visible impact in the areas where they operate. Please help. If you feel that free spay/neuter clinics in Puerto Vallarta have merit, please consider donating to the cause. For information on how to donate, please visit PeaceMexico.org.

All donations made to PEACEAnimals in the United States, Canada, or Mexico are tax deductible. We will continue to work with PEACE’s U.S. non-profit organization to provide tax-deductible receipts for donations.