Save the Street Dogs of Oaxaca

The overpopulation of dogs and cats in the rural towns surrounding Huatulco, Mexico (in the state of Oaxaca) is striking and impossible to miss. In this region, many people keep companion animals but sterilization is both uncommon and costly, resulting in a large number of animals (particularly dogs) roaming the beaches for food, running alongside the roads and often getting hit by cars, and dying from starvation, injury or disease. On a recent trip to Oaxaca, I  offered food to desperately hungry dogs like the one pictured here who technically had "owners" -- but as a local woman told me, most people do not care for their pets. (The rural towns tend to be fairly poor, so pet food is not a priority -- much less proper veterinary care.) I was touched by the unmistakable gratitude that these dogs expressed simply by the look in their eyes after feeding them, and I wished I could have a more lasting impact on their hard lives.

I was fortunate to cross paths with the founder of local nonprofit called Palmas Unidas Bahías de Huatulco AC, which was created by a small group of concerned citizens who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for homeless cats and dogs in and around the Huatulco area. They've held several free pet sterilization clinics over the past 1.5 years in which more than 600 animals were sterilized, and provide education to the community on proper pet care and the importance of having pets spayed and neutered. They also make frequent visits to the city dump where a large population of stray dogs resides, bringing water for the dogs and catching them for sterilization when they can, as well as rescuing puppies and finding them homes.

Palmas Unidas is the only organization of its kind in the area, and the Oaxacan government doesn't offer any resources for humanely managing the pet overpopulation problem.  They funded their first two sterilization clinics themselves with the help of friends and neighbors, and have received help from visitors for subsequent clinics via international fundraising efforts like this one.

The goal of this campaign is to raise funds to allow another sterilization clinic to take place in early 2017. Veterinarians come in from Oaxaca City (150 miles away) for the clinics and perform the sterilizations for about $10 USD per animal. With the cost of supplies, materials, transportation, etc., it's closer to $15 per animal...which is still remarkably affordable by US standards. My hope is to raise $2,000, which will allow for at least ~130 dogs and cats to be spayed/neutered in early 2017.

I plan to travel back to Huatulco to help with the clinic early next year, and will be paying my own way. 100% of the funds raised here will go to Palmas Unidas for the clinic to prevent many more dogs and cats from a life of suffering. This project is very close to my heart, and I appreciate any and all help you can provide. Thank you!!