Best Friends, local government agree on plan to rescue animals, stave off mass euthanasia.
By Michael Rinker, Best Friends Senior Editor
Best Friends is moving forward with an eight-week plan in western Peru that calls for more than 1000 spay/neuter surgeries, 1800 vaccinations, and distribution of 15 tons of food, according to chief executive Paul Berry, who approved the proposal Sept. 20.
At stake are the lives of thousands of animals who would be subject to government-ordered mass euthanasia.
Our goal is to show the country’s Minister of Health and his directors that we’ve helped provide a safer, healthier environment in the areas most affected by last month’s earthquake. One of those areas – the province of Ica – signed an agreement Sept. 20 that details the Best Friends mission there. The other areas are Chincha and Pisco.
The government is concerned about the spread of rabies. Reports say that many people have been bitten by hungry animals roaming the streets. Officials are afraid that the longer the animals go without food, the more aggressive they will become.
The key to our plan is to work closely with local health departments and animal welfare organizations, and recruit local vets and volunteers.
Although the plan calls for an eight-week “operational period,” it actually encompasses five other periods, according to rapid response manager Rich Crook, who led our three-member assessment team in Peru.
The plan he submitted to Best Friends officials marked the end of the assessment period. The team has now begun a one-week, set-up phase to be followed by an initial operating period (four weeks) and on-going operations (eight weeks). The latter two phases will overlap, resulting in a total of eight weeks. After that, the plan envisions a one-week exit period.
“This operational plan should be used as a reference to help guide us through the operational process and keep us on mission, understanding that it is a living document susceptible to what should be only minor changes,” Rich wrote.
During the set-up period, we will find safe, affordable, centrally located housing large enough to accommodate staff and volunteers. We would also obtain transportation, including a van for trips to the capital city of Lima and another vehicle to carry teams and equipment into the field each day.
We have begun gathering supplies, hiring staff, and recruiting volunteers both locally and from the United States or other countries.
Rich projects the operation will require four vets and vet techs, including one of each from Best Friends. One administrative person will be hired to handle medical logs and general data tracking, while two general staffers would be hired to assist with daily operations. In addition, Shari Artadi, who has been working with the assessment team, will likely be brought in as a logistics/volunteer coordinator to handle site set-up, supplies and communications with local stakeholders. Shari, formerly of the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, played an integral role in coordinating rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
Once the operational period begins, teams will set up operations in the provinces of Ica, Chincha and Pisco; locations will be chosen primarily by local agencies.
During a typical day, veterinary staff would perform spay/neuter and basic care, provide exams and give vaccinations. Volunteers, accompanied by a vet tech, would go into surrounding areas to provide field vaccinations and deliver food while encouraging residents to get their animals sterilized. Teams would operate out of the same location until the numbers drop to an acceptable level, typically two or three days.
As part of the agreement between Best Friends and the government, security will be provided by the state, along with publicity and suitable operating sites.
Rich estimates expenses will be about $17,500 per month, excluding medical supplies. About half the cost will be for local labor ($5,000) and transportation ($4,000). The rest goes to housing, food and air travel to and from Peru for our staff.
To date, Best Friends has spent about $5,500 to send in the assessment team and support their work.
Photos by Molly Wald