82 animals, including 67 dogs and 15 cats, were sterilized in a single day thanks to your donations.
As part of our renewed focus on providing free sterilization surgeries to underserved La Paz communities, Baja Dogs La Paz recently held a neighborhood sterilization event, and we are happy to report it was a resounding success!
Click on the play button to watch a video about the event.
On the heels of our successful fundraiser, where volunteers raised over $18,000 to fund sterilizations, Baja Dogs launched its community voucher program, where we distribute vouchers to families in these communities that can be redeemed at one of our approved veterinarians’ offices located throughout La Paz. The service is free to the pet owner, and Baja Dogs compensates the vets.
Why focus on sterilization? Because it has a direct impact on the health and wellness of these family pets, and prevents thousands of unwanted animals being born to a life of hardship on the streets.
For example, a single $25 sterilization surgery prevents up to 67,000 unwanted dogs over multiple generations. For cats, the number is even higher – sterilizing just one male and one female cat can prevent 8 million unwanted births over eight years!
While our community voucher program is already off to a great start, we realize that many of the families in the communities we serve lack the transportation, time or resources to bring their dogs to one of our partner vet offices. To help these families, we hold single-day sterilization events in local communities throughout La Paz.
On Sunday, October 3 of 2021, Baja Dogs partnered with Fundación Ayuda Niños La Paz, A.C. (FANLAP), a local nonprofit organization that helps local children and adolescents realize their dreams with education, to hold a sterilization event. The colonia where FANLAP built its dining room/learning center, Colonia Laguna Azul, is one of the most impoverished neighborhoods on the outskirts of La Paz.
On the day of the event, 19 volunteers, including 6 licensed veterinarians, came to the event site to spend the day performing sterilization surgeries. In the shade of the FANLAP palapa, the veterinarians performed the surgeries, and Baja Dogs and FANLAP volunteers provided food, water, volunteers and basic equipment, and helped administer pre- and post-surgery care and medication for the pets.
These families want to do what is best for their dogs. The love they show their pets is incredible, and given the chance, they jumped at the chance to participate in our sterilization campaign. Families throughout the neighborhood came with their pets to participate in the event. Some families pooled their resources and brought multiple dogs in a neighbor’s truck. Others brought their pets in wheelbarrows. They came using electrical cords or a simple rope as leashes. One family even brought their dog in a toy truck pushed by the children.
We want to give a special thanks to FANLAP, Dr. Mario Galo, Dr. Alan Ortiz and his staff, Dr. Fernando at Veterinaria Baja Pet’s, and all the volunteers who came out to help make this event a big success!
Your donation can ensure these families and more can do the single best thing for the health and wellbeing of their pets: sterilize. Donate here.