President Aguirre says he is talking with an Expat group about managing the new shelter.
Dog shelter, located west of Ajijic, at the foot of Cerro Colorado. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Editor. In order to better understand the controversy surrounding the dog shelter in West Ajijic run by Chapala SOS Dog Shelter, Laguna has been interviewing all the parties involved in the controversy. Last week Laguna interviewed the president and the spokesperson of the homeowners association impacted by the noise from the shelter. This week we have interviewed an influential volunteer at the SOS shelter, and Chapala President Aguirre. Semanario has not confirmed any of the claims made in the interview, except thore of President Aguirre. The volunteer interviewed does not have final decision authority.
Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).- A volunteer of SOS Chapala Dog Rescue, who asked not to be named, said that volunteers want none of the dogs that are currently in the shelter located in Ajijic to go to the new shelter that is being prepared by the current Chapala Government, located in Hacienda de La Labor.
The interviewee told Semanario Laguna that, due to the great investment in health and maintenance the workers and volunteers have made in each dog that is in the shelter, as well as the lack of information about the commitment of care in the new space, they do not want any of the 85 dogs to be transferred. So far, they have not given them a deadline to leave the place.
«None of the dogs are going to go there, because of everything that is invested in each one, besides the fact that there is no certainty that they will continue to be cared for in the same way we care for them., “the interviewee told Laguna, saying that “We want them to go to a better place. We know nothing about the methodology to be used, if the place is suitable, if there are trained people, if the feeding is correct, etc.”
The interviewee also pointed out the lack of commitment on the part of the municipalities to continue with projects such as the shelter, and added that at no time, neither government personnel, nor the Department of Ecology, approached them to notify them, so they found out through social networks. (note: President Aguirre posted a video on the municipal website touring the new shelter and expressing his commitment to excellent care for the dogs, however, o specific information has been provided by the administration).
According to the volunteer, the monthly investment ranges from 90 to 100 thousand pesos, between medical expenses that include sterilizations, deworming, vaccinations, and in some cases medications and chemotherapy, in addition to food, salary for employees and the sanitization that is carried out. This amount is contributed by volunteers and associations that not only contribute monetarily, but also in kind, and by careful management.
The volunteer also pointed out that the way in which the shelter has been run has always followed international standards for this type of site, such as cage measurements, cage material, roof and floor slope, playground, isolation cages, and daily walks. The interview’ s opinion is that the new shelter will not be able to meet these requirements.
Chapala President Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, told Laguna that although he does not have an exact budget for the new shelter, the investment is relatively low and he hopes that it will open as soon as possible.
He also told Laguna that a group of Expats is interested in supporting the project, but since it is a municipal shelter, the municipality will also be looking for sponsors to keep the space in good condition. He also mentioned that an agreement was signed with those responsible for the SOS shelter, where it was stipulated that they had at least 30 days to vacate, a date that has now expired.
The new municipal shelter is located on a hectare of land in Hacienda de La Labor. The government announced that in a few days the 50 cages will be ready. The cost of renting the space is 15,000 pesos per month, which will be covered by the group of neighbors whose homes have been impacted by the noise from the west Ajijic shelter and whose lawsuit is driving the negotiation process.
The volunteer interviewed added that interested people can help the dogs by donating, adopting or being a bridge house, and even, if there is the possibility, lending a space in contract so that a new shelter can be established in the Ajijic delegation, where most of the sponsors and volunteers are located.(note: a shelter will require permits from the municipality and must be located so that it does not impact nearby homes). For more information, contact the Facebook page SOS Dog Chapala Rescue.
The interviewee also asked pet owners to be aware and responsible; «we will not end up sending dogs and dogs to the United States because people are quick to abandon them. We need to raise people’s awareness, if we provide permanent homes, bridge houses and shelters, we won’t need governments to take care of them», he concluded.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
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