ECUADOR Owners in Manta bring their companions to get spayed and receive vet care //Photo credit: Valentina Leon 2016 Post-Earthquake Project Report
2016 post-earthquake project On August 1 st, Dr. Sergio Rodriguez, one of Humane Society International s veterinarians, traveled from Chile to Ecuador to lead the veterinary team that would successfully treat over 637 dogs and cats in the span of a week. Between spays and neuters, vaccines, minor injury treatments, and tumor removals amongst other issues, the team worked tirelessly to reach as many animals as possible during their short stay in the city. HSI s vet was instrumental in guiding the process and the flow of the clinic, allowing for a better use of the acquired supplies and resulting in more animals helped with the same amount of provisions. The Ecuadorian team that traveled to Manta was led by three HSI-trained veterinarians and in all consisted of three vets, 7 vet techs, and three volunteers. One local vet and his vet tech came to observe and to lend a hand a few times during the week, and many volunteers from the area came to help us with various chores ranging from intake to trapping, to transport of patients to their homes. Clinic set-up//photo credit: Valentina Leon Upon the team s arrival in Manta it became evident that the need is so large that they would have to stay the week and care for as many animals as they could before moving the project to a new
town. Some individuals were bringing their animals while others were helping trap some of the cats and dogs that were left behind by their owners after their houses collapsed and people moved away in search of a new life. Abandoned animals have become the responsibility of the town and many people feed them and care for them. These dogs and cats are known as community animals; not claimed by anyone in particular but cared for by many. Transporting free roaming cats to the clinic for surgery and general check-up //Photo Credit: Valentina Leon Accessing our veterinary services by any means necessary//photo Credit: Valentina Leon The woman pictured above was one of many examples of individuals who love their animals and are happy to offer them the veterinary care they need when these services are accessible and
affordable. Unfortunately offering no-cost or low-cost veterinary services in towns like Manta is a luxury for local vets who cannot always afford to reduce their prices for lack of clientele that can make up for the cost they lose when they offer low-cost services. Another reason the team was able to reach more animals than was originally budgeted for was the last minute agreement by the municipality of Manta to help reduce project costs by offering lodging and transportation to and from the clinic. In addition, the municipality through the mayor office, donated some vaccines allowing us to purchase more supplies for spay/neuter. Left: Patient intake. Right: HSI s Dr. Sergio Rodriguez performing a flank spay//photo Credit: Valentina Leon This latest project that targeted the area affected by the earthquake in April was a success in many ways. There are still many towns around Manta our team was unable to reach due to the overwhelming necessity we evidenced in the city. We have already begun to reach out to contacts in other towns and will be looking at ways to recreate this project elsewhere. Having HSI s veterinarian on the ground was essential to the development of this project. The Ecuadorian vets we have trained and worked alongside of during this week are still very young and their approach to surgery can use some changes that will prevent damage to their tendons,
wrists and backs in the future. HSI provided a 6 page recommendations report to the local vets, in addition to encouraging and highlighting areas of high achievement. A volunteer visits a woman and her animals the day before they were all scheduled to be spayed/neutered //Photo credit: Valentina Leon With your very generous support we were able to lend veterinary services to 637 cats and dogs in post-disaster Ecuador.