Sterilization of 2,000 dogs and cats in Colombia

Report No. 6: 2000 sterilizations of dogs and cats in Colombia year 2026

GlobalGiving Progress Report No. 6

Date: September 30, 2026

Project: 2000 sterilizations of dogs and cats in Colombia by 2026

Location: El Progreso Sector, Cazucá (Municipality of Soacha, Cundinamarca) and Ciénaga (Magdalena0

1. Context and problems

The Global Picture: The Homeless Companion Animal Crisis

1. Global population at risk: It is estimated that there are more than 200 million stray dogs worldwide. When adding the feline population, the global number of homeless animals (roaming or in shelters) exceeds 360 million animals.
2. Vulnerability figures: Approximately 1 in 3 dogs and cats on the planet (35%) do not have a stable home, critically relying on the intervention of foundations and international donors to survive.

2. The Critical Context in Colombia: Challenges and National Reality

The situation of stray dogs and cats in Colombia has reached alarm levels that justify the immediate mobilization of resources:

1. Magnitude of the Problem: It is estimated that about three million (3,000,000) animals are in a street situation in the national territory.
2. Geographical Scope: Although the problem is more visible and massive in large and medium-sized cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Santa Marta, the high dropout rates are replicated in a transversal way in both small cities and rural municipalities.

3. Root causes and consequences of abandonment

To ensure the effectiveness of GlobalGiving's funds, our project attacks the direct triggers identified in the region:

1. Main Causes: Lack of sterilization and irresponsible ownership —derived from impulsive purchases or adoptions—are the main drivers of the crisis.
2. Multiplier effect: This reality generates an exponential increase in the animal population, exceeding the capacity of local shelters.
3. Impact of the Problem: Overpopulation collaterally leads to serious situations of:
   1. Animal abuse and suffering: Malnutrition, injuries, weathering and human cruelty.
   2. Public Health and Zoonoses: Risk of disease transmission to humans, bites and an increase in road accidents.

4. Legal Framework vs. Enforcement Challenges

Colombia has consolidated a robust and cutting-edge legal framework in the region for the protection of animals. However, the country faces a marked implementation gap due to the lack of budget, pedagogy and logistical tools in the regions.

The current regulatory structure is made up of the following fundamental pillars:

1. Recognition and Criminal Sanction Law 1774 of 2016: It changed the legal paradigm in the country by recognizing animals as sentient beings (ceasing to be considered things) and criminalized animal abuse and abandonment.

1. Ethical Population Control Law 2374 Sterilization Saves: Elevates the creation of the National Program of Surgical Sterilization of cats and dogs to State policy. This regulation prioritizes free access for homeless animals, shelters and vulnerable families.

1. Regulation of Care Services (Law 2480 of 2025 - "Kiara Law"): Orders and strictly regulates commercial service providers for companion animals (daycares, hotels, walkers, hairdressers and trainers). It requires mandatory registration, first aid training and prohibits the use of punishment or drowning collars.

The Central Challenge: The Implementation Gap
Despite this "legislative euphoria", the effective application of the rules is severely limited in subnational territories. The transition from isolated actions to permanent structural programs continues to be hampered by the scarcity of financial resources transferred from the Nation, the lack of fixed points or mobile care units in municipalities of lower categories and the lack of a mass citizen culture based on responsible ownership

Our Mission: In the face of limited institutional execution, grant-funded civil society organizations like GlobalGiving act as the first and only line of defense to implement mass sterilization, rescue, and citizen education campaigns.

5. Partial results obtained – Year 2026, characterization of the population served

During the year 2026, 602 sterilizations were carried out, distributed as follows:

Felines: 359 Canines: 243 Females: 415 Males: 187. We analyze that by species it is 59.6% felines and 40.4% canines; By sex, 68% are females and 32% males.

Sterilizations 2026

Date

Canines

Felines

Total

Males

Females

Males

Females

29/01/2026

0

0

4

4

8

28/02/2026

16

36

46

64

162

27/04/2026

1

0

6

6

13

19/09/2026

36

131

65

137

369

02/08/2026

5

18

8

19

50

Totals

58

185

129

230

602

The figures are encouraging given that the impact of sterilization is cumulative and geometric. By preventing births in the first year, the line of succession of future sexually active generations is interrupted. We perform a calculation with a conservative model of biological reproduction rates (15 pups per year per cat and 10 per bitch, along with her offspring) and the following figures are obtained.

Year

Cats Avoided (Cumulative)

Dogs Avoided (Cumulative)

Total Annual Impact

Year 1

3,660

1,650

5,310

Year 2

18,000

4,500

22,500

Year 3

90,000

12,000

102,000

Year 4

450,000

25,000

475,000

Year 5

1,220,000

49,500

1,269,500

The investment in this program of 602 sterilizations directly and indirectly prevents the appearance of more than 1.26 million homeless animals in five years. This drastically reduces the pressure on local shelters, minimizes public health risks and mitigates the suffering due to abandonment of urban fauna.

6. The Next Step: Goal Projection and Resource Requirements

By the end of 2026, our project has set the ambitious goal of reaching eight hundred and ten (810) surgical sterilizations in the communities of Soacha and Magdalena.

The partial results of 602 successful surgeries demonstrate the technical feasibility, operational rigor, and immense preventive benefit of the program. However, in order to cover the remaining 208 surgeries, mitigate the animal overpopulation crisis, and curb the cumulative impact of abandonment in Cazucá and Ciénaga, we formally request the mobilization of new financial resources and the continued support of our global partners

The budget and support required will be allocated in a transparent and efficient manner to the following three critical components:

1. Medical Supplies and Mobile Operating Room Logistics (90% of the funds): Acquisition of anesthetics, suture material, high-quality surgical instruments, postoperative medications and financing the transfer of veterinary equipment to peripheral and rural areas that are difficult to access.
2. Citizen Education and Pedagogy Conferences (10% of the funds): Community workshops on responsible ownership and socialization of the new Colombian legal framework (Kiara Law and Law 1774), ensuring that the impact of surgery is complemented by a long-term cultural transformation.

7. Social Return on Investment and Call to Action

Every dollar or peso invested in this project does not represent an isolated expense; it constitutes a social investment with a measurable geometric return. As our biological projections demonstrate, consolidating the 2,000 sterilizations will mean directly preventing the birth and subsequent suffering of millions of animals in the next five years, protecting public health and alleviating the economic burden on the local shelters of Soacha and Magdalena.

To our GlobalGiving donors and strategic allies: Colombia's robust legislation gives us legal support, our experience in the territory gives us the technical capacity, but only your generosity will give us the financial resources to cross the finish line. We invite you to continue transforming realities, to finance hope, and to become the first line of defense for thousands of sentient beings who have no voice.

• Informe No 6, Fundacion Inawy (PDF)