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After successful clinics in Bacalar, Puerto Morelos and Cancun this year, clinics are scheduled for Bacalar again in May, 2009 and Cozumel in November, 2009.
We are looking for one or two other communities that can use our help in the coming year.
We are always in need of housing donations for our crew as well as supplies and monetary donations. If you are traveling to these areas during this time, please consider bringing some much-needed supplies with you and visiting our clinic during your stay. Contact us by mail or at info@vidas.org to obtain details.
Our "wish list" can be found on our web site under the "want to help" tab. Tax deductible donations can be easily made via Pay Pal or by mailing a check to our PO Box.
Keep checking in with us as we update the web site with current information regarding these clinics.
Want to help out? Read about how you can help us through donations or how you can become a VIDAS volunteer in our "Want to help" section.
Or, email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@vidas.org.
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PO Box 20246, Boulder, CO 80308-3246 International Veterinarians
Dedicated to Animal Health
VIDAS (Spanish for LIVES), is a non-profit organization made up of veterinarians, veterinary students and other animal lovers dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through veterinary medicine and education.
VIDAS sets up free clinics in some of the fastest growing and poorest areas in the world. Our goal is prevention of animal suffering due to starvation, disease, and other health problems associated with pet overpopulation, recognizing also that overpopulation of animals also contributes directly to human disease. Our focus is safe sterilization, vaccination and parasite control for the animals and education for the people about safe animal handling, zoonotic disease and general animal husbandry and health care.
VIDAS is an incorporated non profit entity in Colorado and has IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Please email us at info@vidas.org if you would like more information about our organization.
 View VIDAS' video
Interview with Dr. Meghann Berglund
 Readers to the Rescue
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| Cozumel November Clinic |
| Cozumel Nov 3-7, 2008:
VIDAS partnered with the Humane Society of Cozumel Island www.humanecozumel.org for a well promoted sterilization campaign. 255 dogs and cats and 1 rabbit were safely spayed and neutered and one amputation performed.
VIDAS' Cozumel team was made up of Drs. Lesli Groshong, Bruce McGinnis and Brenda Heyman; CVTs Pauline Eadie, Laura Cox and Hope Johnson; and recovery area volunteer Barb Shore.
The Humane Society team coordinated the intake and discharge process, cleaning and promoting: President Monica Velasco, Dr. Alberto Rodrigo Cruz Salazar, Marvin Poot Tec, Denis Cesar Torre Rejón, Henry Cruz Couoh, Mario Venegas Anlehu, and Sarai Rendon Sanchez, volunteer coordinator Andrea Sekula and many local volunteers. The Humane Society staff was essential for the campaign and worked in addition to their regular duties of caring for the estimated 150 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the shelter awaiting adoption.
The Humane Society has ongoing education campaigns focusing on the importance of spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm, venereal tumors and general pet care. Campaign t-shirts were worn by shelter staff and volunteers and sold at cost to pet owners who brought their pets for free services----great marketing around the community! Additionally, TV, newspaper and radio stories covered the event resulting in 70 animals arriving for our last (exhausting) day. The Humane Society will continue to provide free sterilization surgeries to those animals we had to turn away. Because of the promotion of the VIDAS clinic, the Humane Society of Cozumel Island saw a spike in adoptions and more community awareness of their mission.
VIDAS wishes to thank local businesses who provided services to the volunteers: Rock 'N Java Cafe brought us lunch each day, La Cocay Restaurant, Cozumel Vacation Villas and Kathy Lassater who donated housing for the VIDAS team. Papa Hogs Dive shop treated the Colorado volunteers to a snorkel/dive adventure. If you vacation on Cozumel, we encourage you to support these local businesses and stop by the Humane Society.
Lesli Groshong, DVM
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