Dear animal lovers, This is a resume of our experiences in Mexico, and our report that follows.

We urgent need supporters for helping the poor animals in Mexico. Please, spread the word!

After our stay in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, we wrote a report (that you can read at http://www.sos-raccoon.com). It is about a private wildlife station that is owned and operated by Rebecca Payne.


On February 12 2007 we got in contact with the Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Zihuatanejo, fronted by Helene Krebs Posse .A.C. at http://www.zihuatanejo.net/spaz and Natalia Rodriguez Krebs for the very first time. Natalia Rodriguez Krebs told us of Mrs. Rebecca Payne, and her wildlife station, and explained to us that there was suspected animal cruelty happening, and asked if we could do something about it. Mrs. Kari Freidig, who is a wildlife rehabilitator/Vice President of a wildlife organization in California, wrote a report about Mrs. Payne's Zoo on March 1 2006. This report can be read at http://www.sos-raccoon.com. Mrs. Freidig's organization can be reached at, http://www.cawildlife911.org.

When we visited the "wildlife refuge," we were shocked about how the animals were kept and their overall condition in life. Mrs. Payne declared she would get brand new enclosures from the town office of Zihuatanejo very soon. We thought this was a plausible explanation and she seemed genuine, which calmed down us a bit. Mrs. Payne was pleased when she took a donation from us.

February 13 2007 We paid a second visit to Mrs. Payne's. We tried to convince her again to get medical help for the animals that were in bad condition, and that were obviously suffering a great deal. She refused again. She then wanted to show us the new location of the land that she said would be donated from the town in the future, and so we took a taxi to go there. The land is wooded with very big trees, it is almost a wild jungle on hill site, and we hardly can imagine that the new shelters will be ready soon since there would be so much work in order to prepare and clear the land. In addition, we do think it is not the ideal place for animals to live. When we asked when all of this would happen, she just answered with a cynical looking smile.



February 14 2007 Because of all the trauma that we knew was taking place, we could hardly sleep! Therefore, we paid another visit to Natalia Rodriguez Krebs. After a long conversation, she finally revealed to us that she could not do anything against Rebecca Payne because of her influence on the town officer of Zihuatanejo. She then suggested that perhaps it would help if we ourselves wrote a report, and leave it with her. She also mentioned an address for wildlife protection in Ixtapa, and that she worked with those people for quite a time and released about twenty raccoons on a private wildlife sanctuary in the past.
We immediately went to the wildlife protection office, and spoke to the Manager Mr. Genaro about bringing the raccoons to the safe area. He got the okay from his boss, who is the owner, and he said we were allowed to bring them over right away. With this good news, we went to Mrs. Payne but she was not home. Her husband, Richard Payne, however gave us access. We first treated the animals by giving them some water. Their incredible thirst for water turned many of them to act desperately crazy. We realized just how much they were suffering at that point. I could not help crying! When Mrs. Payne finally showed up, we told her about the chance for the raccoons to be relocated but all we got in response was a very strict "No, no." In our opinion, that was incredibly cruel and we felt very bad. She said that the animals belonged to the Government, they are registered, and that she could not give them away but that she has to ask first. After begging with her to change her mind, she promised to write a letter to the Mexican Government to ask their permission. She also said she would let us know at once when she got a reply. Unfortunately, we are still waiting! We also offered to put an order in to a local company to build new larger enclosures, but she refused, saying that cages were already stocked in the town for a while. Incredible! I took Mrs. Payne by the hand and went to one of the raccoon's cages, and the little one was crying so much. He was trying to break out desperately, but with no success. "Can you not hear and see this pain Mrs. Payne?" I asked. She calmly replied, "I know that the animals are suffering a lot, but it's better than the death!" What kind of person could not be touched by such a scene? "They are all my babies, and they belong all to me," she said.
Unfortunately, the next day was our departure day and we had to go. Since that day, we try to help these animals, but without success.
Our phone calls to Mrs. Natalia Rodriguez Krebs about the report and progress of the situation all end with nothing being done. She says she has a lot of work to do, and no time. However, she promised to give the addresses of town offices, and the person in charge that she knows.

Our own research failed because of our lack of knowledge of the Spanish language. It is also very hard to find someone to help translate! We wrote many e-mails to animal help organizations with the support of a few friends, but with no success.



March 6 2007 today we received answer from Natalia Rodriguez Krebs.