Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is—whether
its victim is human or animal—we cannot expect
things to be much better in this world….
Rachel Carson
The location of the Cusco Proteccion de Animales shelter is not publicized because it is a very small shelter staffed completely by volunteers. In our experience, when the address of the shelter is made public, some Cusqueños simply drop off their unwanted pets and leave—very quickly. Unfortunately, this overwhelms the shelter’s limited resources. That’s why we ask you to contact us through Facebook.
The good news is that helping abandoned and abused dogs and cats is is easy and inexpensive.
This Could Be the Easiest Thing You Do Today
For some people, their motivation main is compassion—imagining oneself in the place of a living creature that is trapped in a difficult life.
For other people, their motivation is a matter of ethics: How does one justify treating animals this way?
Still others have personal reasons for offering kindness and resources to care for abused and homeless animals.
Whatever your reason for becoming part of the solution to this worldwide problem, we are grateful that you share our goal to reduce the suffering of Cusco’s street animals.
If you are in Peru…
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteers, a very important part of the Cusco Protección de Animales team, are much appreciated by the shelter’s dogs and unpaid staff. (Neither the shelter nor the project has paid staff.) As a volunteer you will:
- Prepare meals for and feed the dogs;
- Play with the dogs and walk them in the nearby forest;
- Clean the animals’ playing and sleeping areas;
- Help with shelter maintenance and construction; and
- Assist in animal care at a local veterinary clinic.
Wear old clothes and expect to get dirty—and to be greeted with much enthusiasm by the shelter animals. All volunteers are welcome, and we have particular need for those with skills in the areas of veterinary care, animal care, and light construction.
Volunteers, May 2015
“I met Mila, the dog rescue project director, on my second day at the shelter and was greeted with a big smile and a warm welcome. Her passion for the project, her love of the dogs was clearly evident and infectious as I was introduced to the dogs and given a tour of the shelter.
“Over the coming days I began working at the shelter, where we would feed the dogs, clean and take the dogs for walks into the forest with spectacular views of the city from the top. Some days I would spend at the vets where I had the opportunity to assist the vet in surgery, as she spayed and neutered dogs and cats, which is so important and a crucial part of the project. I would also help with the dogs’ after-care, rehabilitation, leash training and bathing.”
“Not one day was the same and some days could be tough and very emotional, but this brought us closer together. I was made to feel an integral part of the team, my opinions and ideas respected and considered and eventually I began to feel I was with family as our bond grew. The team spirit was amazing and the work so rewarding.
“At weekends I took part in the public campaigns in the city, where we would set up a stall and offer vaccinations, medications and advice on pet care as well as educating owners on the importance of spaying and neutering, all for a small fee which would be fed back into the project. We would also visit poorer areas where there are a lot of stray dogs, take food and try to help any that were injured or distressed.
“I have never felt so appreciated and valued at a project as I did at the Peru dog rescue project. Nor have I worked with such an incredible team and amazing people. I found it extremely difficult to leave, saying goodbye to people who will be my friends for life – their love for simply spending time with the dogs, walking them, feeding them and comforting them really touched me. And of course the dogs, both at the shelter and outside.
“This is one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences of my life. If you have a love for dogs, a passion for animal welfare I cannot recommend it enough. I loved it so much I got my first tattoo, the logo of Cusco Proteccion de Animales!”
Rhys Parry , volunteer at the shelter in October 2014
Click here if you would like to become a volunteer
Make a Donation Locally
Use Facebook to contact Cusco Protección de Animales to arrange a donation of any of these much needed items:
- Old towels or blankets make good bedding at the shelter or a pet foster home. Also, if you are friends with the owner of a hotel or hostel, ask that owner to donate towels and blankets that are no longer good enough for guests.
- Dog food, whether in kibble or canned form
- Veterinary medical supplies, such as surgical glue, flea treatment, or de-worming medicine. (If you plan to visit the United States soon, please check with veterinarians there about donating supplies for you to bring back to Cusco.)
Provide a Temporary or Permanent Home
Fostering. If you anticipate being in Cusco for at least a month and you miss the snuggles and companionship of a dog or cat, consider providing a foster home.
Adopting. If you can provide a safe, loving, healthful home for a rescue pet, we have the dog or cat to enrich your life.
Have Your Pet Sterilised
Whether through your local vet or one of our frequent campaigns, have your dog or cat spayed or neutered.
Write Your Government Officials
Take a few minutes to speak for the voiceless animals on Cusco’s streets:
- Let the people who make the laws know that you do not approve of poisoning street animals to reduce their population.
- Request that they designate funds to cover the cost of sterilising abandoned animals.
- Tell them you support laws to criminalize animal abuse in Cusco and in Peru.
If You Are Outside of Peru …
Sponsor a Pet
As of June 2015, our no-kill shelter is home to 22 dogs, some of whom are likely to live their lives with Mila and the volunteers because of health issues relating to mistreatment and injuries suffered on the street.
You can sponsor a pet by making a small donation towards a dog’s food and medical expenses. Be assured that 100 percent of your monetary donation is spent on the care of the animals at the shelter.
Host a “No Babies” Shower
The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is about 30 US dollars (approximately 100 Peruvian New Soles). So invite your friends over to a “no-babies” shower and ask that in place of shower gifts, each guest give $5 or $10 toward the cost of safely and humanely sterilising a street dog or cat.
Cusco Animal Protection and Rescue 