Dogs are often integral parts of communities, especially in rural or underserved areas. When dogs are healthy, they contribute positively to community life. The prevention of diseases, and dog population management, are at the center of our work in the Indigenous villages surrounding Cotacachi.

Working in communities historically excluded from essential services demands cultural sensitivity and trust-building. In other words, our team must prove itself to be trustworthy and our services need to be truly based on saving lives, not on judging, or punishing by removing animals from their homes.

To gain access to the animals in each village our team follows protocol and goes the official route, presenting official letters to the leaders of each village, and requesting their permission to visit the community on a specific date. Our approach typically begins with vaccination and deworming campaigns, gradually introducing the topic of spaying and neutering.

Thanks to a generous donation from Boehringer Ingelheim we have 4,000 anti-rabies vaccines to eliminate the threat of the disease in these villages. Vaccination campaigns help raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, disease prevention, and the importance of regular veterinary care. They also play a critical role in promoting animal health and preventing the spread of diseases in underserved communities.

The implementation of these anti-rabies vaccination campaigns has allowed us to reach more animals with a dire need for our services. Now our challenge is to secure the necessary funds to meet the growing demand for dog and cat sterilization and help the Indigenous villages live a healthier, more harmonious life next to their companion animals.