This event is free and open to the public for household pets only. The animals will be blessed by Father Tony Clark. This event is sponsored by the SPCA de PV.

The mission of SPCA de PV is to help fund and promote sterilization, adoption and healthcare efforts for companion animals in the Puerto Vallarta area, with the goal of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. Monies raised will support these various goals in ways that are most feasible within the community.

St. Anthony Abbott, much venerated throughout Italy, is a hermit-saint who died in the deserts of Egypt on January 17th in the fourth century (not to be confused with St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan saint of the thirteenth century). Legend has it that during his period of prayer and fasting in the desert his only companions were the animals. Occasionally, the local people brought him bread. An integral part of St. Anthony’s feast day, even today, is the blessing of the animals followed by the receiving of the pane benedetto (blessed bread).

Like most feast days in Italy, the Feast of St. Anthony is intertwined with the ancient Roman world. The long period between the winter solstice and summer equinox was replete with festivities and rites of purification of the animals, the fields, the people – propitious offerings for fertility and regeneration of the cosmos. Today, under the veil of religious feast days, local customs are tied to those ancient rites of fecundity and regeneration. The blessing of domestic animals on the Feast Day of St. Anthony was considered auspicious, keeping away evil forces from the home and land, bringing fertility and fecundity.

Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm at the kindergarten school on Pino Suarez, between Carranza and Basilio Badillo.

As you know, we have our major annual fund raiser at the end of this month on November 26. This is our big opportunity to raise funds necessary to support us through the year. In addition to monies raised from ticket sales, we count on attendees bidding for items that have been donated.

We really need help coming up with donations for the live auction. If you or your business can provide the SPCA with a donation item it would be greatly appreciated.

The most successful auction items include hotel stays. We are looking for items that would bring over $500 US “at auction”.

If you can help, please contact Janice Chatterton at Janice@haciendasanangel.com.

Employment Opportunities

We need a part time veterinarian to work at the SPCA de PV shelter.

In addition, we are seeking individuals who want to work either part time or full time at our shelter taking care of the animals. A love of animals is the paramount criteria for employment. All our animals need to be walked, loved and basically socialized while residing with us in the shelter.

These are paid positions. To find out more information, or to apply for a position, please call 222-2692 or email spcapv@gmail.com.

Volunteer Needed

We are seeking a volunteer who can go to the shelter and assume the responsibility of being the Supply Coordinator. The job basically entails doing inventories of supplies on hand/needed and reporting such back to us. If you are interested, please email the SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.

Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity. Yvonne Kalman, board member of the SPCA de PV, is opening her home here in Puerto Vallarta for a once in a lifetime event. A fabulous dinner party is planned and will be held at her gorgeous casa in the hills. On hand for this special event will be the guest of honor, Richard Bonynge.

All of you opera fans probably know that Richard Bonynge is a world famous conductor. He will be bringing with him a wonderful video recently shown at the New York Metropolitan Opera that is a retrospective of the work of his late wife, Dame Joan Sutherland.

Joan Sutherland (born 1926) is widely considered one of the best opera singers of her time, a soprano who specialized in the bel canto repertoire. Known for her lovely voice, excellent range, and commanding stage presence, Sutherland was dubbed “LaStupenda” by Italian critics.

In addition, this video features work done by Pavarotti, who was discovered by the couple, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald and others. This film is a tribute to Dame Joan and tracks her rise from an unknown Australian singer to the greatest soprano of the 20th century.

• DATE: November 8
• PLACE: Casa Yvonka, Puerto Vallarta
• TICKETS: $100 U.S.

Yvonne is donating 100% of the proceeds to the SPCA. Seating is limited, making this event more intimate than other fund raisers. To reserve your seat contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

PROGRAM:

6:15 – Cocktails, botanas
7:00 – Viewing of first act
8:00 – Intermission (cocktails, botanas served)
8:15 – Viewing of second act
9:00 – Seated supper overlooking Puerto Vallarta with guest of honor, Maestro Richard Bonynge

All times are approximated.