peluma

September 2011 Spay/Neuter Campaigns!

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:27:34 +0000

We are pleased to announce that we will be heading back to Cuba at the end of this month! We are partnering up again with our wonderful friends, The Spanky Project and our new friends at Animal Balance. The goal of the trip is to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and deworm dogs and cats in the following areas: Habana Vieja, San Miguel de Pedron, Santo Angel, Pinar del Rio, and San Jose de las Lajas. There will be 4 sterilization campaigns, 1 massive deworming campaign, and 2 vaccination clinics.

Our collective intent is to reduce the number of unwanted sick and suffering animals on the streets of Cuba, and we will do so by helping to provide the veterinarians that are working these campaigns with the supplies and medicines that they so critically need.

Our participation in these campaigns is crucial, as the vets are counting on our donations. Please consider aiding in our efforts by DONATING securely through PayPal or by purchasing an item from our Peluma Cuba Wish List.

Please remember that no donation is ever too small. We thank you for all of your support!

* Help spread the word by sending our link – www.peluma.org – to 5 other animal lovers! *

* Please send this link to 5 other animal lovers! *

Lolo

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:28:40 +0000

Back in October 2010, we rescued Lolo. He was quietly sleeping out in front of the Havana Libre Hotel on a bustling street corner. He was lying so still that we weren’t even sure if he was alive. He was completely emaciated and dehydrated, had very little hair on his body, and was covered in scabs and sarna (mange). As I went to check on him, without wagging his tail, he lifted his tired head and looked at me with those soulful eyes, as if to say…I am done.

If you read our philosophy, you will understand that impossible is not a word in our vocabulary, and that, to us, every life is valuable and precious. So, leaving Lolo there was simply not an option.

Having been in rescue for many years, I had (at the ready for these weightier situations): a water dispenser, a leash, and food…well, money for food. We quickly bought the nearest food source – a bag of pork rinds – and led sweet Lolo to a nearby protectora (an animal foster parent/caretaker) that could help us. (For more info on protectoras in Cuba see: The Spanky Project’s Blog.) Once there, we immediately bathed, fed, and vaccinated the bone thin, mange-ridden pup. We were able to do so with vaccines and special shampoo bought with donations from our generous donors. But, even after lots of affection, a nice bath, and a big meal, Lolo’s tail still would not wag. This was a very sad dog.

We found a neighbor around the corner (another protectora) who agreed to take him in for 4 days, until we could transfer him to the vet’s house for better treatment.

The day that the veterinarian came to pick Lolo (and us) up, was simultaneously the same day that a large cyclone blew through Havana, flooding along the malecón (seawall) and downing many trees and power lines. Needless to say, it was a scary hour long nighttime drive, as much of Cuba was experiencing un apagón (a blackout) that inhibited our view along the dark and sometimes unpaved streets. At one point, a bicycle rider sped out in front of us and our car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing him. Another time, we came to an equally jolting stop as an entire downed tree blocked the road ahead. All the while, Lolo slept quietly in my lap…never making a sound.

He lived with the veterinarian and her family for months. She would write to me about how luxurious his coat was getting and how he absolutely LOVED mealtime and all of the new and unfamiliar attention that he was now getting. She also relished in the fact that this compliant and grateful dog never made a peep or complained in the slightest. He had become a part of their family. And finally, he had begun to wag his tail.

Sadly however, a few months ago, our little Lolo passed away. The veterinarian said that he had had problems with his liver that he just could not overcome. She said that he did not die alone though. He passed peacefully that day, in her mother’s arms.

As sad as I was for Lolo’s passing, I could not help but recognize that despite the stacked odds for a terrible outcome to his story, his life had a beautiful and loving ending. In the end, Lolo had people who cared about him…and he was totally and completely surrounded by love.

I wanted to share Lolo’s story first, because he was such a unique and special dog that deserves to be celebrated. I also wanted to share it because Lolo’s story is a full realization of our philosophy. It is a manifestation of our belief that all beings deserve a chance at happiness and love, and that anything is possible.

Lolo was saved that day, not only because we were lucky enough to spot him…as, unfortunately, there are millions of dogs like Lolo all over Cuba (and the world, depending on your scope). He was rescued that day because, thankfully, we had the resources to help him. And our efforts rely solely on the generosity of our donors…animal lovers like you.

An individual rescue like this may seem like a small and insignificant drop in a sea of problems for both the people and animals on the island, but our focus is animal rescue and these small rescues make a GIANT difference in the lives of these individual animals.

On a larger scale, we continue to help our veterinary friends in Cuba with much needed supplies and medicines and promote spay and neuter campaigns throughout the island. But it is always special to find a Lolo. And to remember that each and every drop is significant in a sea of change.

If you or anyone you know would like to help more angel babies like Lolo, please consider DONATING today.

Congratulations to The Spanky Project!

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:45:39 +0000

Congratulations to The Spanky Project on a VERY successful spay/neuter campaign!

On February 12, 2010, our friends The Spanky Project held a spay/neuter campaign at La Clínica Laika in Habana Vieja, Cuba. We were lucky to attend the event and witness firsthand the effectiveness of one such campaign.

Headed by founder and friend Terry Shewchuk, the group raised donations, gathered supplies, and assembled an amazing team of veterinarians and volunteers for the project. At 8:00am that morning, a crowd of pet owners and their pets gathered outside of the clinic and awaited instructions. Gladys, The Spanky Project’s representative in Cuba, kept everyone very well-informed, while a team of veterinary staff and friends worked tirelessly to spay/neuter and care for a record breaking 83 animals in one day! 56 dogs and 27 cats…no easy feat!

Their hard work and dedication will make a huge difference in the number of sick and suffering unwanted pets roaming the streets of Havana. We are extremely proud of our friends and look forward to collaborating on future campaigns together!

To read more about their successful campaign, visit The Spanky Project Blog.

Our February Trip!

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:52:12 +0000

Hi Peluma Family & Friends!

We are happy to report that we will be heading back to Cuba in February to deliver medicines and supplies to our vet friends in both Havana & Viñales!

If you would like to donate to our efforts or purchase any of the items from our Peluma Cuba Wish List we would greatly appreciate it!

The veterinarians in Cuba have next to nothing to work with, so your donations go a very long way. Every little bit helps. Just $10 can buy a bottle of antibiotics to ensure that a spayed/neutered dog or cat does not develop an infection after surgery. If just 5 people give $20 each, we can purchase a bottle of Ivomec that can treat the internal parasites of countless dogs. Even old collars and leashes always come in handy. Every contribution makes a huge difference!

If you would like to donate, please have your donations in by February 10th.

And remember to pass this along to 5 other animal lovers! Thank you!

Luella’s Happy Home!

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:51:31 +0000

Happy New Year!

We hope that your new year is off to a great start! We are very excited to announce that Luella’s is! She has officially been adopted and could not be happier in her new home! She has new toys, new friends at the dog park, even her very own couch! Lulu has come a long way since her first days with us and we are very happy for her and her amazing new family!

¡Bienvenidos!

admin — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:37:57 +0000

Welcome to our new and improved Peluma site! We have many new projects in the works and look forward to sharing them with you on our Peluma blog.

Please bookmark our site and remember to send it to 5 animal lovers. Thanks!

Take care!