Reports on Spaying Campaign-Uruguay Dogs Overpopulation

Project Report | Apr 20, 2025
January_April 2025 Project Update

By PATRICIA TANTESSIO | HEAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A.P.A. "El Refugio" continues its commitment to offering free spay and neuter services to animals belonging to families with limited financial resources. These efforts are essential in preventing unwanted litters and reducing the number of abandoned animals in our community.

Animal sterilization days are regularly announced and widely shared through our social media channels. This allows people to register in advance and get an assigned time, helping us keep the process organized and accessible. On average, around 80 people sign up for each day—clearly showing the high demand and need for these services in the area.

Between January 2025 and today, the shelter has taken in 46 animals. Alarmingly, 65% of these were puppies—left at our gate, found on the streets, or even rescued from trash dumps. This heartbreaking statistic highlights the urgency of addressing animal overpopulation through spaying and neutering.

Thanks to the continued support of our volunteers and community, we are able to reach those most in need.

Spaying and neutering is not just about reducing numbers—it is about preventing suffering. Each procedure we perform is a step toward a more compassionate and sustainable future.

We deeply appreciate Global Gliving’s interest in our work and hope to continue partnering with you to address this urgent issue at its root.

Links:

EL REFUGIO

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Jan 9, 2025
2024 Evaluation: Spay and Neuter Project

By PATRICIA TANTESSIO | PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In 2024, the Spay and Neuter Project aimed to address the overpopulation of stray animals in our community by providing accessible and free of charge sterilization services as a critical policy in reducing animal abandonment and improving the overall health and well-being of pets and strays in our area. The shelter´s current dog population is 330. This year we received 160 animals, 70% of them were abandoned puppies. Unfortunately, the survival rate of the puppies were low. The number of adoptions was 140.

Key Achievements

Number of Procedures Completed: Over 2,000 animals were successfully sterilized this year.
Awareness Campaigns: Educational efforts reached over a 150 kids from local schools, emphasizing the importance of spay and neuter practices.
Collaboration: We partnered with the municipality to maximize the program's reach and effectiveness.

Challenges Encountered

Limited Resources: The high demand for procedures often exceeded our capacity, resulting in waiting lists.
Funding Constraints: Insufficient funds restricted the number of free or subsidized surgeries we could offer, impacting low-income families most.
Cultural Barriers: Despite educational efforts, some residents remain resistant to the concept of sterilization due to traditional beliefs or misinformation.

Future Goals

Expand Capacity: Increase the number of procedures by acquiring additional resources and strengthening partnerships.
Secure More Funding: Work with donors and organizations like GlobalGiving to ensure sustainable support for the project.
Enhance Community Outreach: Develop targeted campaigns to address cultural resistance and educate the community further.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our supporters, including donors, volunteers, and veterinary professionals, who made this year's achievements possible. Your contributions are transforming lives—both human and animal—and creating a brighter future for our community.