


With this important backing, in 2009 we are launching our most ambitious project yet: a massive free spay/neuter campaign with a goal of 2,000 animals sterilized in 2009. The long term goal is to do increasingly more pets as we gain campaign speed, and cover 15,000 animals in a period of 3 to 5 years. This roughly equates to 70% of the total estimated dog and cat population of the island. If and when we reach that goal, Cozumel will be the first municipality in the country where dog and cat overpopulation will be controlled solely by the prevention of litters, and not by extermination.
We have extended our hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on week days, to allow the medical staff to be fully dedicated to spay/neuter surgeries from 9 to 1, and provide our regular veterinary services from 1 through 7 p.m. This also required having sufficient lighting installed in the entire shelter; a major investment.
The biggest investment will be the construction of a room on the second floor, which will provide a waiting area/classroom, where pet owners can sit while they wait for their pet to be sterilized. During that time they will watch a video and receive information on what pets are, and what they need to do as guardians to give them a good life and fully enjoy the benefits of having a companion animal in the family.