Animal Welfare: Managing Stray Cats and Dogs

Der Supporter,

After identifying a large over population of stray cats and dogs here in Playa del Carmen, many non-for profit organisations have been created to tackle this situation. The GVI Playa community hub has been working with Coco’s Cat Rescue and International Fund for Animal Welfare for almost a year now. During this time, GVI has been able to meet volunteers from other organisations or just those who have giant hearts for helping animals in the community. One of which happens to be a giant organisation named ViDAS.

ViDAS is a non-profit organization founded by made up of veterinarians, veterinary students and other animal lovers dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through veterinary medicine and education. For six years, ViDAS brought together vets, veterinary students, volunteers and organisations including Coco’s Cat Rescue and IFAW annually for one enormous sterilization program. For 6 days, ViDAS takes over a large space to provide the locals free veterinary service, including rescuing stray animals for spay or neuter. 

There were approximately 100 people involved and local companies donated generously all the food (hot lunches and snacks), drinks (bottled water, soft drinks, juices, power drinks), towels, surgery supplies, and much more. GVI would like to thank our partners Coco’s Cat Rescue for the training, their patience and involving us in one of their biggest campaigns of the year.

It has been an achievement for the GVI Community hub to be able to work and meet passionate people in the community. It has been an achievement to be a part of a successful campaign for the benefit and welfare of cats and dogs and animal lovers in Playa del Carmen. For our volunteers and interns and staff specifically who were involved, their achievement lies in the knowledge and experience they have gained from their work.

The aim of ViDAS was to raise awareness to the public about the necessity of animal care, to promote being a responsible owner and to understand the importance of spaying or neutering your pets and also to work with local veterinarians and municipalities on sustainable and humane solutions to overpopulation[4] . With the help of all the people who they have had help volunteer, all owners who brought in their pets, and to all the rescued stray animals, the campaign achieved its goal and the GVI Playa Community hub cannot wait to be a part of the next one

Thank you for supporting this project!

GVI Mexico

Links:

• http://www.gvi.org