Trying times
Despite an earthquake and a robbery, the team keeps going.
By Rich Crook, Best Friends Rapid Response Manager
A few days ago, we had a 4.8-magnitude earthquake – enough to get our attention. Some of the walls and buildings that were heavily damaged by the first earthquake came down as a result.
Our work in San Juan Battista started slowly but picked up quickly. The mayor dispatched a car with a loudspeaker to drive around and announce what we were doing and where. We also sent a team into the surrounding area on foot. All together we vaccinated 172 animals and performed 10 sterilizations.
Shelby Davis, a volunteer from the states, arrived with two suitcases full of supplies, red collars leashes, med supplies and the such. She was sent by Gerald Poole, my original contact, and has been doing a great job.
We have another volunteer arriving, one who participated in our rapid response training this summer. I gave her as much information as I could over the phone, so she knows what to expect.
Jorge, from ADEPA, a local animal welfare group, has been helping us with media contacts. He is rounding up a crew to shoot a couple days’ worth of video. We will be in La Tinguina, a heavily populated northeastern suburb of Ica. We hope to be very busy and get some good video.
We had an unfortunate incident earlier this week. Pam Crook was out getting a soda when a man stole her Leatherman knife (all-purpose tool) from her belt. So I’ve implemented a rule that nobody goes alone anywhere outside the hotel. Until now we’ve had no problems, but you can never be too safe.
Overall the operation is going well and according to plan. So far we’ve vaccinated 1158 animals and sterilized more than 100 in nine days in the field. The locals are thankful for the help we are providing. Seeing the smiles on their faces is what keeps us all going.