The team at Amazon CARES would like to sincerely wish every father out there a very happy Father's Day! Whether your children have two legs or four, there is no arguing that being a dad is hard work.

We hope that everyone will join us in wishing Bruno Antoine, our Peru Director, a very happy Father's Day. Bruno is an extremely dedicated team member and our organization would not be as successful as it is today without his hard work.

Bruno works tirelessly to organize mobile veterinary campaigns throughout northern Peru. He also visits area schools to discuss the humane treatment of animals and he works with legislators to strengthen and enforce animal cruelty laws.

Late last summer Bruno became a dad, so this is his first Father's Day. Visit our Facebook page or Twitter to join us in wishing Bruno a happy Father's Day and thank him for his hard work!

The Amazon CARES team would also like to wish a happy Father's Day to all those men who have adopted dogs and cats from our shelter. These new "dads" provide a loving, forever home for dogs and cats in need. We are extremely grateful for every person who chooses adoption first --- and the animals are grateful too!

Fernando, at left, adopted Mixy earlier this year.

these wonderful animals have great homes!

If you are still looking for the perfect Father's Day gift for dad, consider making a donation to one of Amazon CARES' fundraisers in his name. Visit our Crowdrise website for current fundraisers.

Once again, Happy Father's Day from the Amazon CARES team!

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Amazon CARES operates out of one of the most remote cities in the world. Iquitos, home of our animal clinic, is the largest city in the world that cannot be accessed by road. That means all supplies must be brought into the city by air or by boat. Our no-kill dog shelter is located a short distance down river from Iquitos in an area called Cabo Lopez.

The river dock for the Amazon CARES clinic.

Photo by Debby Dayton

The Amazon CARES clinic.

Due to the remoteness of the city, many consumer items that are easily available in other parts of Peru are not available in Iquitos. In addition, those items that are available for purchase in Iquitos are significantly more expensive than items purchased elsewhere. The difficulty of obtaining products and the increased cost of many products is problematic when running any organization. It's especially problematic when operating a non-profit animal clinic and a no-kill dog shelter!

The Amazon CARES team was recently informed that Pedigree dog food, the food we feed our shelter dogs, is currently unavailable in the entire country of Peru! For the last several weeks we’ve been forced to buy lower quality, but more expensive, dog foods that are available in Iquitos.

Although the concept is very foreign in Peru, our Peruvian office is considering running a food drive in order to provide the dogs we shelter with better quality food at a more reasonable price. We’re unsure how successful a food drive will be, but we are willing to do whatever we can to help these dogs in need!

You can help too! You can help us with the extra expense of food by making a small contribution to our cause by following this link: www.crowdrise.com/dogfood Please consider sharing our cause with your friends!

Any contribution you make will go a long way in helping us to provide great nutrition and care for these wonderful dogs!

Molly had a vision for a domestic animal welfare organization, and nine years later that vision is a reality. Molly explains, "I have dealt with the complicated aspects of setting up an animal charity from scratch in a poorly developed area of the world. I lived in Peru during the initial five years, handling minutia and cleansing kennels to teach my employees what their standards should be. One of my most challenging endeavors was to find and train employees to be sensitive towards animals. This sense of caring is not built into the culture.  It is so exciting to turn the leadership over to Manuela, who is better able to see the big picture."

Molly has a B.S. in Political Science and a M.B.A., and will now be attending Mercer University School of Law in Macon, Georgia. She plans to earn a legal degree so that she may be a part of the bigger picture in the prevention of cruelty to animals.  Molly will continue to serve on the CARES Board of Directors.

Manuela, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has lived in the United States since 2004. Manuela has volunteered her time and skills since she was a teenager, and she has worked with nonprofits in Brazil and South Africa. Manuela first worked as a virtual volunteer for Amazon CARES and over time she has become more involved and a more integral team member. Manuela is a wonderful and skilled member of the Amazon CARES team and we are excited for her new leadership role.

Please join us in welcoming Manuela to her new role as Executive Director of Amazon CARES, as well as wishing Molly great success in her new endeavor! Leave them both a message on our Facebook wall or on Twitter!

While Amazon CARES works all twelve months of the year to find homes for the cats and kittens we rescue, we are very excited about this month, June, as it is Adopt A Shelter Cat Month! We hope by discussing adoption, people will be more inclined to choose adoption first.

Most shelters around the world have large numbers of cats in need of permanent, loving homes, so adoption is vital to their well-being and happiness.

Pet overpopulation, due to cats and dogs not being spayed or neutered, is the leading cause of high numbers of animals in shelters. Cats in particular can reproduce frequently and with moderate to large litter sizes, leading to many cats and kittens without homes.

Image from Friends of HCAS, Inc.

Because of the large number of healthy and friendly cats in shelters, Amazon CARES encourages adoption rather than buying cats from pet stores or breeders. While Amazon CARES operates a no-kill shelter, not every shelter is able to operate with a no-kill policy. In turn, adoption truly can save lives!

A cat can make a wonderful addition to any family. If you are considering adding a cat to your family, please consider adoption from a shelter first. If adoption is not an option for you, consider instead making a donation to help those cats that are already in shelters.

Like many shelters, Amazon CARES gets an influx of kittens every springtime, and this year was no exception! If you would like to donate a small amount to help feed and provide veterinary care for these sweet kittens until they find their permanent homes, please visit our Crowdrise website. Be sure to recommend a name when you make your donation; many of our cats and kittens are named by donors!

like you to help care for these kittens.

If you've adopted or rescued a cat, we'd love to hear about it! Please visit the Amazon CARES Facebook page and share a photo and story of your shelter cat! Also, share with us why adoption is important to you!

At left, Candy cannot contain her excitement about finding a permanent home with Jhonatan. Candy was adopted from Amazon CARES earlier this year.

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In June 2011 I had the privilege of traveling to Iquitos, Peru, to volunteer with Amazon CARES. While the entire experience was memorable and life-changing, I have narrowed down the top ten memories of my jungle adventure.

You can learn about upcoming veterinary volunteer trips at and other ways to volunteer (even from home!) the Amazon CARES web site .

6. Experiencing Another Culture

Seeing firsthand another culture and another way of life was quite fascinating and humbling. I was lucky enough to attend a carnival celebrating the holiday Fiesta de San Juan during my visit.

At left: traffic to the carnival. At right: enjoying ice cream at the carnival.

7. Making New Friends

During my two weeks volunteering, I made many new friends who I still keep in touch with today.

In Nueva Esperanza, a village we worked in, we were given a tour of the village's hospital. The hospital provides services to fourteen local villages.

Only a few days before our visit a woman had delivered a healthy baby at the hospital.

Meeting the locals at each mobile site was wonderful. Everyone I met was very kind and friendly. The children were playful and their laughter was contagious.  I was taken aback by the generosity of everyone I met. We were welcomed into homes for meals, and if we needed help transporting our supplies from village to village, we never had to look very far.

The rainforest's beauty and size cannot be accurately conveyed in words. The sights, sounds, and smells of the rainforest were soothing, yet exciting at the same time. Observing and interacting with the rainforest's animals was an experience I will never forget. The Peruvian Rainforest is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

During a day off from work we visited a monkey sanctuary.

You can help support upcoming Amazon CARES veterinary trips by visiting our Crowdrise site!

Learn about upcoming veterinary volunteer trips and other ways to volunteer (even from home!) at the Amazon CARES web site .

In June 2011 I had the privilege of traveling to Iquitos, Peru, to volunteer with Amazon CARES. While the entire experience was memorable and life-changing, I have narrowed down the top ten memories of my jungle adventure.

You can learn about upcoming veterinary volunteer trips and other ways to volunteer (even from home!) at the Amazon CARES web site.

After three of four planes on our way to Peru.

1. Traveling with Friends

I traveled to Iquitos with four friends. Leaving from North Idaho, it took four airplanes and a boat to reach our final destination. Needless to say, plenty of memories were made and laughs were had along the way!

Justin & I shared a laugh. Not Dr. B. though!

While I had assisted with countless surgeries prior to volunteering with Amazon CARES, I had never assisted with a mobile clinic. The clinics were fast-paced and efficient. The mobile surgery sites were much different than anything back home. I really put my skills to the test and was surprised at the quality of medicine that can be provided in such remote locations.

Every volunteer trip with Amazon CARES incorporates some type of ecotourism. The first four nights of our trip we stayed at the Tahuayo Lodge, home of the Amazon's longest zip-line. Climbing to the top of the canopy and soaring through the tree tops was exhilarating and an experience I'll never forget.

Traveling by boat to and from work was definitely new for me! The tranquil boat rides every morning and evening allowed for time to reflect and a chance to take in the rainforest's beauty.

While I met hundreds of animals while volunteering with Amazon CARES, two dogs stood out in particular. I met Jimmy at the CARES clinic shortly after he had been taken in. His sweet personality left quite the impression with me, and as I left I knew he was in great hands.

Clotilde was a street dog that the crew came across during one of our mobile clinics. She was taken to the Amazon CARES no-kill shelter for care and treatment. Within a few months I could no longer recognize her! There is no doubt that she is a much happier and healthier dog.

At left: Clotilde the day I met her.

At right: Clotilde after being treating by the CARES team.

You can help support upcoming Amazon CARES veterinary trips by visiting our Crowdrise site!

Learn about upcoming veterinary volunteer trips and other ways to volunteer (even from home!) at the Amazon CARES web site .

Memorial Day is a day to remember those brave men and women who have served our country. But let us not forget those military working dogs who have also served.

Military working dogs first entered the service in March of 1942. Tasks of a military working dog may include search and rescue, guard duties, explosives detection, security and patrol, and working dogs provide human soldiers with vital companionship.

As of 2012, there were approximately 2,700 dogs serving worldwide, with about 600 of those dogs deployed in designated war zones such as Afghanistan and Kuwait. Debbie Kandoll, founder of Military Working Dog Adoptions, estimates that the average military working dog saves the lives of 150 soldiers during its service.

In the past, military working dogs were often left overseas after their service or were euthanized. However, beginning with President Clinton in 2000, new laws and policies have been put in place to protect these dogs and allow their handlers and others to adopt them after they have served our country.

Earlier this year, great strides were taken to address post-traumatic stress disorder of military working dogs. Approximately 50 dogs have returned with symptoms of PTSD, which is not surprising given the fact that many of these dogs serve in highly volatile combat situations.

Amazon CARES sincerely thanks every man, woman, and dog who have served our country. We truly appreciate your selfless service.