• Tuesday Nov 12 – Arrival date for most people
• Wednesday November 13 – Set up date. We’ll need as many hands as possible! (all newbies must meet with Trina and Pat for placement)
• Thursday Nov 14 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 1 We will start Nov 14 in the morning a little early so each station can get set up and we’ll have a quick meeting to introduce new members and go over procedures.
• Friday Nov 15 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 2
• Saturday Nov 16 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 3. We will have our group photo shoot at 7:30 AM, you will receive your T-shirt right before the photo shoot.
• Sunday Nov 17 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 4
• Monday Nov 18 – Day off – CATAMARAN CRUISE – day trip around Isla Mujeres, snorkeling on the reef, open bar, lunch – all included for free for all of the volunteers!
• Tuesday Nov 19 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 5
• Wednesday Nov 20 – CAMPAIGN SURGERY DAY 6
• Thursday Nov 21 – Tear down. Again, we will need as many hands as possible! 🙂
• Friday Nov 22 – Check out at 11:00 AM

Michelle Bradet-Simpson has offered to host the After-Party at her beautiful home on Isla Mujeres. We are thinking Thursday 4 PM – 6 PM. We hope everyone can make it!

When you book your CARM Transfers airport transportation, in the comment section put the number of pieces of luggages/crates you have.  That way CARM knows how many people and luggage pieces will be on a van.

Separate supplies and personal luggage.  All supplies will be dropped off at the mainland house before you get to the ferry.

TRAVELING FROM CANADA: If you have supplies that you would like to donate and flying out of Toronto (YYZ) we could use your help in escorting supplies and crates down. If you are flying from anywhere else in Canada, also please contact Cindy Krysmanski who will assist and coordinate the details and supplies to be escorted at krysmacy@gmail.com. (There is NO cost to you if flying West Jet or Air Transat to escort supplies)

TRAVELING FROM USA: If you can bring supplies but have questions about what is needed, contact our queen of supplies: Alex at alexnashfordemail@gmail.com

VERY IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT bring any expired drugs or supplies. Customs will give you a very hard time and might even charge to dispose of them, they will not allow them into the country and that will just be wasted space.

Do not bring sheets, pillow cases or towels, that just take up space for other supplies that we need. We are working on getting donations of these items from hotels in Cancun.

Do not put meds in crates, everyone flying with crates is subject to customs search. If you are traveling with crates, only travel with crates and soft supplies. If you are traveling with pure medical supplies, pack in a suitcase.

Cotton Balls & QTips can be bought very cheap in Cancun, do not waste your luggage space bringing them down.

Register here for airport transfers: CARM Group Transfers

This is the ONLY way to get airport transportation. No Whatsapp, No Facebook messenger, No text. Any questions? Email us at trina@cancunandrivieramaya.com

Additional info:  You might have to wait a little at the airport but the CARM driver will get you all together like little chicks and take you to the ferry.  If you can help it, don’t make an early morning return flight ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE STAYING ON ISLA MUJERES. You might not want to go to bed the night before.

Your transportation is direct to your lodging. There are NO STOPS included. If you would like a add a shopping stop or to stop to exchange money, etc. you may PRE-BOOK a stop with CARM. There is a $35 USD flat fee for all stops, and you will have up to 1 hour at your chosen location. Any Add-Ons of stops must be booked & paid a *minimum of 24 hours prior to your arrival date*

Ferry tickets provided by CARM this year!  Yay!  This includes going to and from the clinic and airport ONLY.

We will have vegan and meat breakfast, lunch & dinner.

BREAKFAST

A breakfast buffet will be served at the RV clinic daily,starting at 8:00

   ⁃    Coffee, Tea, Fresh Juices and water
   ⁃    Toast,  muffins, bagels and biscuits
   ⁃    Eggs (various styles) and breakfast meats

MORNING SNACKS

   ⁃    Iced coffee smoothies
   ⁃    Fruit and vegetable smoothies
   ⁃    Protein and energy bars
   ⁃    Fresh fruit

LUNCH

   ⁃    Lunch will be provided by various restaurants in Isla Mujeres, with fill ins as needed by Marrien, our Food & Beverage coordinator.

AFTERNOON SNACKS

   ⁃    Fresh vegetables with dips
   ⁃    Cookies
   ⁃    Candy bars

Ice Tea, Gatorade, Water and coffee will be provided throughout the day.

We will make every attempt to have vegan and vegetarian selections available.  (Please let us know if you have any other special food needs.) There are convenience stores across the street from the clinic but it’s all sugar and NOTHING vegan. You can also bring them from back home or try to get them at Walmart or a specialized store once you arrive

VERY IMPORTANT: If you are allergic to something, ie peanuts or shellfish, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for asking if the meals include any of the items you are allergic to.

The fabulous people on Isla Mujeres will be providing housing on Isla for many of our volunteers, at least half.

You will be dropped off at the ferry (tickets included) and take a 20 minute ferry ride (very relaxing) over to the island and either be picked up in a golf cart by your local resident who you will be staying with or if you are close to the ferry, walk to it.

YOU WILL NOT BE LEFT AT THE FERRY TO FIND YOUR OWN WAY

Your costs for the clinic:  ALL IN USD

Option #1 Bahia Azul Puerto Juarez – LIMITED SPACE!
Full 10 days in the housing provided by Isla Animals in Bahia Azul: $300.  (more days this year)
Arrive Nov 12
Leave Nov 22
This includes room/food/transportation
If you stay only part of the time, it’s $35/day

Option #2 – On Your Own
Food provided by Isla Animals (breakfast and lunch will be at the clinic) and transportation
$15/day. You will find your own housing and dinner.

Option #3 – Stay on Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres Housing provided by Isla Animals, breakfast and lunch at the clinic and transportation. On your own for Dinner $15/day

Option #4 – Meals Only
Housing on your own, breakfast and lunch at the clinic and transportation.  Dinner at Tranquility House $15/day

Volunteers need to pay their food / housing option.

• Send for free with ZellePay: https://www.zellepay.com/get-started  Email trina@islaanimals.org or mobile 919-381-2840
• PayPal:  paypal.me/ranchoviejo2019
• Venmo (mobile app USA only): 919-381-2840
• Direct Deposit into Bank of America.  If you chose this option, be sure to let Pat and/or Trina or Pat know once you have paid:  Pat: Pjennings250@gmail.com   –  Trina:  trina@islaanimals.org

If you are planning on taking a dog or two back with you, YOU WILL HAVE TO coordinate ahead of time with Anna Krallis who is the Adoption Counselor with www.IslaAnimals.org.  Her email is: akrallis@bellsouth.net

Here is a blog post with more info for you:  https://islaanimals.org/faq/

Check in:

1. There will be 2 check in stations this year, one for dogs, and one for cats.
2. Terry Tywan offered to head up cat check in.
3. Cat numbers will start at 2000. Dog numbers will start at 1.
4. Check in sheets for dogs will be pink & blue and for cats orange & green, that way if you have a paper in your hand you know what you are looking for, or if you just have a number you know also.
5. We need 2 vets in check in. In addition to heart murmur and search for testicles, scars and tattoos, the vets will need to check for distemper signs.

Cats:

1. We will use breathable bags to put all cats and taken directly upstairs.
2. Cat knock down, surgery & recovery will all be done upstairs.
3. Lynn will be lead vet for cats upstairs.
4. Second vet will rotate so vets get different experiences.
5. We do not use Tramadol. We will use Dexametazona instead of Flaxol.
6. We will have at all times a team of 6-7 upstairs: 2 vets, 1 tech, 1-2 med draw, 1 prep & 1 recovery.
7. Michelle Bradet will be in charge of recovery and Carmen of med draw & prep. We still need a tech.

Puppies

1. We have a new puppy protocol. All puppies will be divided in 2 categories:
2. TNR – Healthy street dogs will be spayed / neutered and released.
3. Pups that we will take – if Isla Animals will take the puppies, they will NOT have surgery that day, they will be tested for parvo and distemper (urine if possible). If negative, they will be vaccinated right then and there and will immediately leave the building and move to Isla Mujeres to be fostered. We are working on the list of fosters, each will have a kit of everything needed to handle sick pups.  If fosters have a problem, there will be vets available on the island.
4. Kate Montgomery & Alison will be in charge of puppy intake and record keeping.

Trapping

We will be trapping every day, everyone with experience will be needed. We want to make a difference with the street animals in this community.

Other Changes:

• Transportation Manager – Norma Villar from CARM will be transportation manager. All transportation questions, changes and request should go directly to her, not through Trina, nor Pat. 🙂

• Name tags – Name tags will have a title so everyone know who are vets and who are techs.

• Tattoo station – There will be no tattoo table. Vets will do their own tattoos on their own tables.

• Instrument cleaning – Instrument cleaning will be in rotation basis, please sign up here. 2 shifts per day, and we may adjust this after day 1.

Fill out the following form and send to trina@islaanimals.org and Pat at pjennings250@gmail.com

Word: RV19 Resume

PDF: RV19 Resume

Passports

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PASSPORT PLEASE APPLY FOR IT NOW!

We know in the USA, Summer is very busy at the passport office and things can slow down.

IF YOU HAVE A PASSPORT PLEASE CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE.  IF YOUR PASSPORT WILL EXPIRE WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF YOUR RETURN HOME DATE THEY WILL NOT LET YOU ON THE PLANE.  SO, IF YOUR PASSPORT IS GOING TO EXPIRE ON OR BEFORE JUNE 20, 2020 (JUST ON THE SAFE SIDE) RENEW IT NOW BEFORE THE SUMMER RUSH. PLEASE CHECK NOW.

THIS IS THE SAME FOR USA AND CANADIAN CITIZENS.

Communication is extremely important in these clinics, we all need to be able to contact each other to make sure everything runs smoothly.

We will be using Messenger to communicate. You do NOT need to be on Facebook to download Messenger. Once you have done that, look up Pat Fulton Jennings and Wave at her.
TEXTING IS NOT AN OPTION because it does not work well between multiple countries / phone numbers.

AIRPLANE TICKETS: If you’re coming and you haven’t gotten your plane ticket please start looking.  Mid November is the beginning of the busy season in Cancun so if you want the good flights think about it now.

MONEY: get your money changed to pesos BEFORE you leave home, it is so much easier.  You can use USD and CD at the bigger grocery stores but mexican pesos are preferred. Check out this blog on CARM: https://www.cancunandrivieramaya.com/blog/can-i-use-us-dollars-in-mexico/

TIPPING FOR TRANSPORTATION: Tipping money will be given to Trina, EXCEPT FOR THE TRIPS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT.  Tip your drivers for those trips.

TIPPING FOR THE CHEF: Fernando does not accept payment for his services but he will accept tips, these tips can be given to Pat or Trina who will pass them along to Fernando.

EXTENDED STAY:  If you want to arrive early or stay later for R&R the accommodations are on you.  A good place for that is on Isla Mujeres.  You can book on AirBnB or Home Away.

SAFETY: The working venue is located in an area called Rancho Viejo or RV for short. This is a family-oriented area and also very poor. Technically RV is part of the municipality of Isla Mujeres but, on the mainland. We will only be there during clinic hours. The main house is located in Bahia Azul, Cancun which is a gated community with a 24 hour guard. Needless to say, it is very safe there as is Isla Mujeres (you will be staying in private houses there). Normal travel advice applies: Watch your belongings, don’t leave items unattended, be smart, & don’t do anything you wouldn’t do back home.

Our goal for 2019 is 1,500 animals out of the breeding pool. This will be a combination of Dogs & Cats, Male and Female. I think we should get extra points for pregnant females.