Best Friends teams with Canadian vet group for spay/neuter and vaccinations, then lobbies against possible government-ordered euthanasia.
By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor
Photos by Molly Wald
Faced with increasingly frustrated earthquake victims and concerned about possible mass euthanasia of dogs, the Best Friends team in Peru is working intently to protect the animals now and moving a bit more cautiously as it gathers information for a longer-term solution.
Rapid response manager Rich Crook was scheduled to meet with government officials Monday to offer alternatives to killing the strays. Internet and phone communication has been spotty, but we’ll report on his meeting as soon as we get word.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, one of the few rescue groups that responded to Peru in the immediate aftermath of last month’s deadly and destructive earthquake, is withdrawing and has no current plans to return.
Government officials and Red Cross workers have told Best Friends that the only hands-on animal rescue organizations in the hardest-hit areas are two small local groups. Both have indicated a willingness to work with Best Friends in any capacity.
Shortly before the Canadians left, they invited Rich and his team – photographer Molly Wald and Aldo Wilson, a licensed veterinarian in Peru prior to coming to work for Best Friends – to accompany them on field operations.
Arrangements were made to use a local government building in Guadalupe as a staging area, an upgrade over the outdoor accommodations in which CAAT had previously worked.
“The team was set up and ready to begin vaccinations and alters in 45 minutes,” Rich said. “They kept the operation very simple and effective; they had an intake process, vaccination-only station, three operating tables and a post-op area.
”They engaged a local person to canvas the streets spreading the word that help was available. Residents started showing up in numbers within 20 minutes; a line extended outside the building within the hour.”
Rich, Molly and Aldo filled small bags with dog food and joined three CAAT vet techs to canvas the back streets as a mobile vaccination unit.
They would simply park their van in a neighborhood and honk the horn. Soon the people would gather around. “These people have a great deal of compassion for their pets,” Rich said.
Aldo helped the techs administer vaccinations – rabies and heartworm preventative – while Rich handed out collars and dog food. The team vaccinated nearly 200 dogs in little more than three hours.
Photo of Dr. Aldo (in orange T-shirt) helping with Spay/NeuterAldo also helped CAAT vets perform spay/neuter surgeries, and by the end of the day they’d done about 30.
The following day, on Sept. 9, the Best Friends team traveled to the worst areas of the hardest-hit city, Pisco, where they found residents angry and frustrated over the failure of food, clothing and other supplies to reach them.
Rich said that while their anger isn’t necessarily directed at his team, “I feel some viewed us as a part of the big picture and they clearly feel a bit overlooked.”
As frustration among locals grows, so does concern for the safety of our team. For the rest of their time there, they will restrict their visits to areas that have a military presence.
Although local government officials are more than happy to have our help, Rich is concerned that the country’s Ministry of Health will opt for mass euthanasia of dogs. He emphasizes, however, that the decision has not yet been made.
In his Monday meeting with a state veterinarian, Rich was to present alternatives to euthanasia, including an offer to promote a “locally networked” trap/neuter/return campaign for dogs.
He will approach the two local groups to gauge their interest in managing the program. Best Friends would provide food and basic expenses.
Meanwhile, Aldo will appeal to Peruvian vets to provide spay/neuter and vaccination services.
