I have read on this forum and elsewhere that dogs without a collar are caught and killed.
Dogs are, IMHO Part of the ecosystem, and keep the population of other (destructive) animals at bay.
What Panama does, and I have real experiences here in our province Chiriqui, is that veterinarians come once a month to our village and spay and neuter dogs and cats for free for people who can't afford it and for $25 (plus voluntary donations ) for those who can. That works absolutely fantastic, there are 100 to 150 animals per month that are treated. A few friends and I found a cheap but reliable source for Parvo vaccination and donate them to the clinic in the amount that we can afford to buy. Parvo is a very nasty disease for dogs that needs only once a lifetime vaccination against. It affects mainly puppies; grown ups are generally safe.
We will bring our 12 dogs, that we collected in the last 3 years as sick animals and brought back to health. then gave them up for adoption. Many found good homes. And those not adoptrd left stay with us. They are a happy pack well adjusted and friendly, that walks with us three times a day through the village on rarely used streets. The neighborhood is friendly and welcoming when we walk.
I understand that it's like bringing owls to Athens, but that (sometimes dirty) dozen is part of our family. What we really appreciate is that cars slow down and drive around us.
Iow.: The general attitude in Panama is pro dogs and virtually every family has a few dogs as an organic alarm device and protection. Not that there really is a need for protection In our area.
'Free-range' dogs are -with rare exceptions- healthy and well fed. If they are not they come to us,
That puppies can be spayed and neutered for free or low cost has had an enormous positive effect on the dog population. There is no need to kill a single dog.
Now to the question:
Are there groups in the Cayo area that offer similar services and if there are not, how are the chances to find volunteers (locals and gringos) and veterinarians who would help build such an environment in which everyone wins?
Dogs are, IMHO Part of the ecosystem, and keep the population of other (destructive) animals at bay.
What Panama does, and I have real experiences here in our province Chiriqui, is that veterinarians come once a month to our village and spay and neuter dogs and cats for free for people who can't afford it and for $25 (plus voluntary donations ) for those who can. That works absolutely fantastic, there are 100 to 150 animals per month that are treated. A few friends and I found a cheap but reliable source for Parvo vaccination and donate them to the clinic in the amount that we can afford to buy. Parvo is a very nasty disease for dogs that needs only once a lifetime vaccination against. It affects mainly puppies; grown ups are generally safe.
We will bring our 12 dogs, that we collected in the last 3 years as sick animals and brought back to health. then gave them up for adoption. Many found good homes. And those not adoptrd left stay with us. They are a happy pack well adjusted and friendly, that walks with us three times a day through the village on rarely used streets. The neighborhood is friendly and welcoming when we walk.
I understand that it's like bringing owls to Athens, but that (sometimes dirty) dozen is part of our family. What we really appreciate is that cars slow down and drive around us.
Iow.: The general attitude in Panama is pro dogs and virtually every family has a few dogs as an organic alarm device and protection. Not that there really is a need for protection In our area.
'Free-range' dogs are -with rare exceptions- healthy and well fed. If they are not they come to us,
That puppies can be spayed and neutered for free or low cost has had an enormous positive effect on the dog population. There is no need to kill a single dog.
Now to the question:
Are there groups in the Cayo area that offer similar services and if there are not, how are the chances to find volunteers (locals and gringos) and veterinarians who would help build such an environment in which everyone wins?
