PAWS helps reduce the suffering of roaming dogs around Cusco, Peru and addresses the issues of animal welfare and over-population, through Education, Healthcare and Sterilization. Many dogs on the streets have owners, but attitudes around animal care mean that it's common practice to let dogs roam free. Access to veterinary care in villages is limited and low incomes mean families can't afford it anyway. Our mobile clinic offers free veterinary care and sterilizations to help solve these issues.
There is no official number for the population of roaming dogs around Cusco, but spend five minutes in the city, or nearby villages, and there's no way you can miss the problem! These dogs often suffer and die from diseases or injuries incurred in fights or car accidents. The human population is also affected, through the spread of trash and parasites, as well as dog bites. Since none of the dogs are sterilized, the population just continues to grow, meaning more animals suffer year on year.
Our investigations showed more dogs on the streets in the villages outside Cusco than in the city, so our solution focuses there. We have a mobile veterinary clinic that travels to the villages, offering free sterilizations, as well as healthcare and vaccinations on a regular basis. The team is also responsible for educating village residents - especially the children - to improve the quality of care given to animals and the attitudes towards animal welfare, sterilization and adoption.
Un-spayed, non-confined females can have 2-3 litters of 3-6 puppies a year, so by sterilizing all of the roaming dogs (males AND females), we could reduce the future population by thousands! Providing basic healthcare also helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Education will help change attitudes towards animal welfare and sterilization (especially of male animals), improving the situation for the dogs of Cusco for decades to come and eventually, reducing the need for projects like this one!
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