ARA de Manzanillo

Frequently Asked Questions about ARA de Manzanillo

What services do you provide?

Dog and cat sterilization assistance and community education.

What do you mean by community education?

The focus of our education program is children. The ideas we're passing on include:

Basic pet care and responsibility
The importance of vaccines to both animal and human health
Why pets should be sterilized
Human health factors relating to picking up feces and proper disposal
Care of pets: food, ample water, shade and living conditions
The importance of ID collars for pets
Control and restraint of animals to prevent “packs” of dogs in neighborhoods, to prevent attacks and the spread of disease

What is the charge to sterilize a pet?

The procedure, itself, is provided free of charge when an ARA certificate is presented to the vet. ARA requests a small donation of $350 pesos, or whatever amount you can afford to donate.

How can I get a spay/neuter certificate? How does it work?

Receiving and using a Spay/Neuter Certificate is simple. Just follow these steps:

Email or call ARA: 044 314 117 81 50 (both English and Spanish spoken).
Provide information about you and your pet (see the certificate for the information needed).
Arrange to pick-up the certificate.
Make an appointment with an ARA-approved veterinarian.
Take your pet, and your certificate, to the vet and the procedure will be performed, free of charge.
Donate to the ARA Spay/Neuter Program, if you are able.

At what age should I spay or neuter my dog or cat?

Please consult the vet. Some guidelines suggest 6-9 months for female dogs, 10 weeks for female cats, later for male cats.

What are possible complications of the spay/neuter procedure?

Please consult the vet. The risks are very low. The most common risks might be infection and complications from anesthesia.

How long must the vet keep my animal after the procedure?

Depends on the vet. Sometimes the animal can return home the same day.

Is it possible for a dog/cat to die from this procedure?

Please consult the vet. Risk of death is very low.

My pet is very sick, or has been hit by a car, can ARA help?

We are only able to offer help with sterilization at this time. We suggest you call Roberto Ramos Sanchez, Director of Public Health, at 331 0756 or 332-1002 ext. 252. We can also suggest the following veterinarians:
Dr. Alejandro Guevera, phone: 332 7597, cell: 044 314 357-0884
Dr. Alfredo Leon Juarez, phone: 336-9043 or 336-5945

I found a stray dog or cat, what should I do?

Post notices at the vets offices, Soriana and contact us and we will post a notice on our web site.

I have a litter of kittens or puppies that I cannot keep, can ARA help?

We have no ability to assist with strays or new litters at this time. We understand the city is planning an animal shelter. Please let the city know how much we need a shelter.

We can assist with sterilization of your pet so future litters can be prevented. We can also distribute photos adoption notices in hopes of finding an adoptive parent for your animals. We are always interested in assisting you to trap feral cats and then having them sterilized.

A dog has bitten my child/husband, what should I do?

We must refer you to the city health department (see above) or a local veterinarian and your medical doctor. You should make every effort to locate and identify this animal. We have a very low incidence of rabies in this community.

There is a dead animal on or near my property, what should I do?

We cannot assist. You can call the city, Public Health Department: 331 0756 or 332 1002 ext 252. You can also try to bag and dispose of the animal.

How can I find out more about ARA, join your organization or make a donation?

Email us at ara.mzlo@yahoo.com. We are a not-for-profit organization in Mexico and we really appreciate your help and donations. We will provide a factura (receipt) for your donation, which is tax deductible for tax payers in Mexico. See your accountant about tax deductions in the US and Canada. We do not have 501(c)(3) status in the US at this time, but we are a registered civil association (A.C) in Mexico.