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| A man bringing his dog in for treatment.© HSI |
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By Jessica Higgins
Day turned to dusk in the mountains of Patagonia, but by eleven o'clock we could still see the last streaks of twilight fading from the sky. Aside from the road stretching ahead and fences bordering small herds of sheep alongside, we saw no signs of human habitation. It would be several hours before we arrived at our destination: Chilechico, a town of just over a thousand in the Patagonian region of southern Chile.
Filling a Need
Chilechico has never had spay/neuter services, and shortly after our arrival, people lined up with dogs and cats. The animals came in baskets, boxes, sacks, backpacks, and even a fishing net. The owners sat patiently while clinic staff explained the benefits of spaying, neutering, vaccination, and parasite treatment.
We talked to them about how many puppies one unspayed female can produce; every animal here over a year old has had at least one litter, usually four or five. Because the community simply can't support that many animals, most do not survive to adulthood. The people of Chilechico know the consequences of unspayed animals, but without access to vet care, they have been unable to solve the problem.
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Checking in.© HSI |
Partnering, Then Expanding
In 2007, Humane Society International joined forces with local organization Rescate y Protección de Animales (REYPA) to bring spay/neuter services to remote areas like Chilechico. REYPA has been working in Coyhaique, capital of the Aysen region, for years, and has sterilized more than 1200 animals there. Using veterinarians from partner organization Red Informativa del Movimiento Animal (RIMA), they have fine-tuned their clinics to reach up to 60 animals per day using two highly skilled surgeons.
Now, HSI is helping them expand their services throughout the region. Over the course of the week, HSI, REPYA, RIMA, and the local municipalities spayed/neutered more than 400 animals in six communities. Four of these communities have never had access to veterinary care; all received important information on animal care and welfare.
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| Waiting for their animals.© HSI |
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Convincing the People
One of these communities is Puerto Aguirre, an island located more than four hours by boat from the next town. HSI and REYPA staff spoke with residents about the problems on the island and the goals of the clinic. Ruth Cohen, Director of REYPA, was masterful at convincing people to bring their animals for spay or neuter. After a short conversation with Ruth, local resident Rita Sepulveda brought her dog to the clinic.
"I can't care for all the puppies, and it's the right thing to do," said Rita. "And the animals shouldn't have to suffer."
Rita walked with her dog Nena in her arms, cheerfully calling over her neighbors' fences, "She's not going to have puppies anymore!" Rita and Nena were perhaps our best publicity in Puerto Aguirre.
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Through our Street Animal Welfare initiative, HSI works to promote and perform spay/neuter for strays and pets. Your donation will help us reduce the overpopulation of homeless cats and dogs in Chile and around the world. |
True Dedication
Patagonia is a challenging environment in which to work, with few resources, long distances between towns, and constantly changing weather patterns. It requires a high level of commitment.
Veterinarian Sergio Rodríguez traveled 800 miles from Santiago to participate in this clinic.
"Every time I spay an animal, I think of all the unwanted dogs or cats that the operation will prevent," said Dr. Rodríguez. "This work is hard, but it's the most satisfying work I could do."
