Papa Gato Animal Welfare

Animals have always been dear to my heart and as many know I have been helping care for our street animals in Bocas for several years now, earning me the nickname Papa Gato. I am now banded together with other like minded people and we are going to start monthly Spay/Neuter clinics in Bocas primarily focused on trapping street animals and helping pets from low income families. We have had a terrific show of financial support from the business community in the area we are targeting first (watch the Breeze for an upcoming article on that clinic!).  We are operating these clinics and other aide to the animal community under the name Papa Gato Animal Welfare Bocas del Toro.  Our core team is myself Russell Easby-Smith, Megan Ward, Ciska Venter and Jana Köbel, but there are many other volunteers who have jumped in to assist, find us on Facebook at Papa Gato Animal Welfare Bocas del Toro.

We want to stock up and prepare for this clinic and other future clinics with supplies.  Our fantastic local vet Dr Gloria will be helping and we also have a wonderful volunteer veterinarian from the US, Dr Erin, who can help us on weekends for several months.  At the bottom of this article is a list of items we need donated for this clinic and future clinics.  We also need money to help buy veterinary supplies for our volunteer vet. Money donations can be donated in person at Scent Shop or Pane Vino or via PayPal at papagato_bdt@mail.com. Physical supplies can be dropped off at Scent Shop in Bocas Town.

We also frequently have dogs and cats in our care who need of forever homes, so feel free to contact us if you are willing to adopt or if you know an animal suitable for adoption that we can help place.  Some animals are unfortunately destined to street life, being too feral for adoption, we spay/neuter and release those and will feed them for life.  But those socialized who can adapt to home life the best we want to find homes for.  There is always more animals in need then homes and this a reality we struggle with and try to do the best for each animal and adoptive family.

Folding Tables

Chairs

Traps

Carriers

Towels/sheets and newspapers

Cat litter

Disposable baking trays

Baiting food. Canned tuna in WATER

water/food bowls

Storage bins

Hand sanitizer ×5

Note pads/writing paper

Pack of colour sharpies x2

Pens

Stapler

Alcohol 90

Bleach

Toothbrushes

Washing tubs/bowls

Paper towels

Gloves

Stethescopes

Thermometers

Gloves

Clippers

Bandage scissors

Cotton balls

Plastic tubs/bowls

Spray bottles

Headlamps

Spare batteries

Instrument trays

Gloves

Flea and tick medication

Article by Russell Easby-Smith