Spay & Neuter street dogs of Huanchaco, Peru

In our last report we shared with you our gratitude for the determination of our local partners to make sure that the spay and neuter surgeries which had been keeping the street dog (and cat!) population at a more manageable level would continue even without us being able to be in country. By the end of September both groups had successfully planned and carried out dozens of surgeries in coordination with local veterinarians. In addition to sterilizing the animals, wellness checks were conducted and treatment was offered for minor injuries/afflictions. In many ways, these surgeries were even more important this year than they had been in the past. As many of you know, Peru has suffered quite badly from the pandemic and resources are even more scarce than they typically are in Huanchaco. Less animals on the street means that life for each one of them is less dangerous and competitive.

We're looking towards the future, our partners are planning for the holiday season. Every year we send funds so that they might be able to get some small presents for the dogs in their shelters. Favorite requests range from coats to kibble and we look forward to the pictures they will pass along from Christmas morning. Our team here in the US is also thinking about the future. The core team (Brenda, Mary, Kim and Natalie) will have a virtual meeting in December to talk about the best direction to take in the coming year. COVID has presented the Perros Project not only with obstacles, but also opportunities to innovate so that we can better serve both the people and the dogs of Huanchaco. We look forward to a fruitful conversation and will update you regarding our strategic planning as soon as we have more details. For now, please rest assured that your generous donations are being well used as we continue to work hard to make sure your dollars truly make a difference.