Spay & Neuter street dogs of Huanchaco, Peru

This email finds us amazed at the passage of time. While going through some old photos, we came across this gem from our very first Perros Project visit in 2010. It’s incredible to think about us going to South America for a fun-filled vacation and leaving the continent fully committed to helping the street dogs of a tiny beach town in Peru. This commitment eventually became the Perros Project with the help of friends, family, strangers, and a whole host of folks across the world who care about animals. The photo below is from our wrap-up dinner party hosted at Otras Cosas, where Lola and her story provided the roots of our work in Huanchaco.

And now, fast forward to 2018, just two years shy of our 10 year anniversary; that same level of determination, dedication, and joy still fills our hearts. Each time we compose an update to all of you, we look at one another and have nothing but gratitude for your faith in us and your generous support.

From where we stand now, we can see the roots are still strong and yet there are new sprouts all the time. For example, Kim, who has been running our spay and neuter recovery room since the start just recently drafted a “how-to” manual, not only for future Perros Project volunteers, but also for anyone wanting to run a MASH unit recovery operation during a spay & neuter clinic.

Also, Bertha at Amigo Fiel, who we have partnered since 2010, emailed us last month with news that they have used part of our fund distribution for two dogs to be treated for TVT, a canine venereal tumor that often goes untreated because of the cost and commitment to care needed for curing it. Photo below.

In terms of new relationships, last month we connected veterinary students at the University of Edenborough (Scotland) and both our partner organizations on the ground in hopes that the students might be able to volunteer their services. In addition, Medical Teams International recently contacted the Perros Project to establish an ongoing donation relationship where we would benefit from thousands of unneeded syringes, which our vets tell us can be used not only in surgeries but also for vaccinations.

So the road has been quite a good one. Once again, thank you for traveling it with us.

Matt & Courtney