Tick Season in Vallarta - Tips and Sanctuary Updates from SPCA-PV Janice Gonzalez - SPCA-PV
July 4, 2017

One only needs to turn on the news to hear that the country is bracing for a serious season of tick infestation. We all know how prevalent ehrlichiosis is here in Vallarta. We caution everyone to have the vet administer a SNAP test to screen for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. (Note: SNAP tests are a group of quick, convenient, blood tests that can be performed at your veterinarian’s office.)

We recommend you review How To Remove Ticks From Your Dog: Dos and Don’ts. It includes loads of information about ticks, the diseases they carry, removal, etc: "Ticks – ugh! They’re creepy and they can transmit disease. Experts are warning us that this year’s going to be an especially bad year for ticks, with disease incidence expanding and becoming endemic in new areas.

Whatever you use to repel ticks (even the toxic, carcinogenic pharmaceutical products) … if your dog plays in wooded areas, once in a while he’ll probably pick up a tick or two.

Most tick-borne diseases aren’t transmitted immediately, so if you get ticks off your dog within 24 to 36 hours of a tick bite, he’s unlikely to get infected.

But that means it’s really important to check your dog for ticks and remove them promptly. Keep reading here to learn the dos and don’ts of tick removal …"

We are always thrilled to receive updates on the lives of our adopted rescues. We recently heard from our friend Robin McCaffry about Lolo who has become a star in her own right. Lolo was adopted from us two years ago and went to live with her new mom, Sandy in Victoria.

Just a reminder to spread the word that free spay/neuter clinics occur monthly at the Cuale Cultural Center on Isla Cuale. Clinics are the first Sunday of each month and are sponsored by various individuals and organizations here in town. The next clinic is August 6 and is sponsored by our good friends and volunteers Pat Parr and David Thompson.

Skip the Gym - Walk a Shelter Dog

Come and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. Our dogs and cats are awaiting “forever homes” and your help is needed to jump start their socialization. The goal is to get these animals adjusted and ready to interact in the real world. The majority of the SPCA animals either come from extremely abusive situations or they have been abandoned. Your love and attention can make up for that sad history. During your visit, you can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk. You can also play with the animals.

Are you ready to get involved? Pack your bag for an amazing afternoon at the SPCA! Please bring water and any treats you might enjoy during your visit.  Sharing food with the animals is prohibited. We encourage you to bring your camera. Take as many photos as you like, and share them with us and your social media community. Your photos and videos can help these dogs and cats find their forever homes with people who will treat them with the love and care they deserve.

Tours to the sanctuary are by reservation only and space is limited. To make a reservation, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. We appreciate any donations you care to bring and please feel free to bring treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appreciate it.

To see our animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page. Go to Photos where you will also find individual Albums for all the animals available as well as a bit of their history.

Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at SPCA-PV or on Facebook.

We need volunteers...

We all know it takes a number of dedicated individuals, working together, to make our rescue efforts successful. We can’t do what we do without the help of all our volunteers and foster families.

How to become a volunteer? Volunteers are needed all over! We have pawesome volunteers in Canada, the United States and of course here in Puerto Vallarta.

Volunteers do many tasks from visiting our shelter and walking, cuddling or taking care for our animals, driving people to and from the sanctuary, social media and web site work, posting online "For Adoption" ads, airport transportation, crate management in BC and Alberta, home checks, animal delivery to new homes, foster home management, newsletters, Farmers Market booth, networking and fundraising.

All types of talent are needed but most important is DEDICATION. If you are interested, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

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