LEONA!!! A Wonderful Story!

LEONA!
the Little Girl that started out on the
Streets of San Felipe,
and is now Quite the Star in Los Angeles.
Watch for her Story in the LA TIMES Coming Soon!

A few of months ago, when Leona was just a very little girl, it appears that someone with an evil sense of humor decided to disfigure this little boxer cross puppy. Not only were her ears cut off, but her nose was removed. I know, you'd really prefer not to hear about this, but there is no way to her the story, except to make it even worse, and I don't want to go there.

After I sent an email out looking for a suitable home for Leona, I got lots of response. Our very own puppy lady, Carole Kingaby, who is always a very easy mark, took Leona temporarily, until the right person came along; and even then I knew that Carole just might not want to part with her. But you know what Carole said...."If I don't let her go, then I won't have room at my house for another puppy in need." Love that!

Last Monday, Leona and I, met up with Lizette Schley, a very committed animal lover from LA, that drove all the way to San Diego to meet Leona, and take her home.

ZAPP Mission Statement

The ZAPP Animal Care Center now open since December 14th, 2009, has an open door policy for any and all dogs, cats, puppies, kittens—or any other animals that need care and safety because of injury or abandonment. In fact, as stated in our charter, we are obligated to serve this community by rescuing and accepting all animals that are brought to our gates, and all dogs that are picked up during roundups.

The Center will be a rehabilitation and adoption facility for puppies, kittens, and special needs animals. ZAPP's mission is to remove all at-risk animals from jeopardy, and provide a safe, loving environment that improves their quality of life.

In addition to being a shelter and rescue, ZAPP also runs a a shoe store that raises funds on eBAY, (link to the right and below) and does lots of events, shows, terrific raffles, and has a monthly subscription program called "Financial Friends of ZAPP". More about that on our donation page.

SPAY/NEUTER UPDATE!

Events that happened in March and April, including two dog round-ups netting 162 animals, was to say the least, a real trauma for animal lovers in San Felipe. Sadly, 110 dogs were euthanized in Mexicali, but the 52 dogs from the first round-up ZAPP rescued were all re-located to beautiful facilities in San Diego, except for 3 that are currently on chemo therapy for cancer. After those 3 complete treatment, they too will go to San Diego to secure loving homes.

For the past 4-5 weeks ZAPP has been re-evaluating the program and our committment in San Felipe, and here’s what I've have come up with.

Beginning on June 12th, ZAPP, and our vet, Dr Antonio Solis will be begin holding Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics every Friday at Dr Solis's office here in San Felipe. ZAPP will subsidize up to $1500 a month to help locals with spay/neuter costs. We will publish money saving coupons in Mexican papers, and distribute these coupons throughout Mexican owned businesses in San Felipe.

These coupons will be worth $20 each, and can be used against a $30 spay/neuter surgery, including an antibiotic regimen that goes home with the dog, and suture removal 7-10 days later. Pet owners in town who want their animals fixed will be asked to pay the remaining $10 when presenting a valid coupon at the clinic. These coupons are for locals only, and Americans will be asked to make a reasonable donation to help cover costs. With ZAPP's committment to a $1500 monthly donation, will still fix up to 75 animals a month.

Another posting will follow soon with information about our mission to end electrocution as the preferred method of euthanasia in Mexicali. Currently in Northern Baja, Mexicali is the only city using this protocol. Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito and Tecate all use far more humane methods of sedation to put dogs to sleep.