Thanks in advance for reading this LONG blog entry!  It is full of news.  Update to website will be along shortly!!

Pet Food Dangers!

I am thrilled to report that Pedigree products are NOT PART of the tainted pet food that is sparking legitimate fear in pet owners everywhere.  Below is a message from their website.

"Dog lovers,

We would like you to know that PEDIGREE® Food For Dogs is not a part of the recent nationwide pet food recall initiated by Menu Foods and other companies. The safety of products not involved in the recall was validated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 23, 2007. According to the FDA, pet owners should feel confident feeding unrecalled products to their pets. All of our PEDIGREE® products remain a safe, nutritious and delicious way to feed your best friends.

As dog lovers ourselves, the safety and nutritional quality of our food is our top priority, and you should continue to feel confident feeding our food to your dog.

For details on the recall, contact Menu Foods at 1-866-895-2708, 1-866-463-6738 or visit the company's web site at: www.menufoods.com/recall"

PLEA FOR DONATIONS, PLEASE

Unfortunately, I have no donations to report.  I have been in the US for TOO LONG under medical treatment.  During this time I have mailed out numerous calenders to our base of supporters.  I am sorry to depend on the same donors repeatedly, and I continue to be very grateful for their support.  I had the calenders printed in Peru at a low cost of less than $3.00 each and also had THAT cost supplemented by a generous one page advertisement placed in the calendar by our constant supporter, Master Foods Peru, distributors of Pedigree Dog Food, the premium dog food in Peru!

Click thumbnail to enlarge photo of calender cover!

Parts of these beautiful calenders can be viewed at:  http://flickr.com/photos/amazoncares/sets/72157594486207922/, and they are on sale for a reasonable $10 (price includes postage & tax).  Any donations made of $10 and more will automatically recieve a calender.  Donations are VERY GRATEFULLY accepted through www.paypal.com to the email address donations@amazoncares.org.  US residents can make tax-deductible donations through the International Humanities Center.  A donation form can also be printed at http://flickr.com/photos/amazoncares/361809662/in/set-72157594486207922/

All donors are recognized on our website and blog, and donations in tribute or honor or in memory of a beloved pet or friend are a wonderful demonstration of your caring & generosity.  A card will be sent to the honored party notifying them of your generosity. 

In-kind donations of veterinary equipment, pharmaceuticals (those that are near expiration or recently expired are needed as well!  Recently expired pharmaceuticals still retain 90% of their strength).  We REALLY need a piece of lab equipment called a refractometer! It analyses liquids, measuring proteins and density, as well as urine. The cost in Peru is prohibitive. If anybody reading this has a Veterinarian they are willing to approach on the behalf of Amazon CARES, I would be incredibly grateful!!

Another EASY way to support us is to shop through our links or shop Amazon.com & www.zazzle.com/MMednikow!

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GREAT NEWS ON THE CHARITY FRONT!

I miss Peru terribly, and will be returning with ten days! Construction on our jungle facility continues, where we will have a bigger animal shelter, and we will save money on the rent we pay on our current shelter.

I am thrilled to report that despite my absence, the clinic and charity have done very well. They have met payroll and rent obligations, and at the beginning of 2007 I added two more employees to our health benefits plan which makes me very proud. Even the largest businesses in Iquitos treat their employees with little respect, and they blatantly break the law by forcing employees to work overtime without pay, paying under minimum wage, and forcing employees to sign paperwork CLAIMING they are receiving their health insurance and twice annual bonuses as mandated by law, even though the employees do NOT receive these government-mandated benefits.  I am happy to provide for my employees and their families correctly.

Additionally, Amazon CARES has continued their campaigns to help the domestic animals in Iquitos and nearby communities!  I attribute much to the leadership of Medico Veterinario María Esther Peña Castillo.  I recruited a female Veterinarian from Lima. During this process I learned that Veterinary schools in Peru focused on agricultural Veterinary medicine. She studied an additional two years in order to receive a specialized degree in the care of domestic animals. In hiring Esther I provided a rare opportunity for a female to advance in a masochistic society, and she has proven to be a tremendous and dedicated leader for the entire Veterinary community in the region. She increased our ability to serve the community by offering low-cost services and free pet-care education to the public.   During my absence she has secured vaccinations near expiration from the Ministry of Health, and the charity has conducted numerous FREE vaccination campaigns and distributed many free informational booklets about pet-care!

Additionally, construction is advancing on our jungle outpost, which will provide a larger animal refuge and save us money on monthly rent at our current shelter!  Click on the thumbnails below to see more pictures and learn more!!