We arrived at the pop-up clinic in Callejon that we couldn't have fathomed would spay/neuter over 330 animals (and perform surgery on a goat) over the span of a mere 5 days. The clinic took place inside a temporary donated space, which the members of Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic (DCDR) went to great lengths to ready for the onslaught of animals.
Running such a successful clinic is not out of the ordinary for DCDR; they are a trusted grass roots organization with the ability to organize and mobilize clinics on the North Coast of D.R efficiently and effectively. It’s no wonder they’ve partnered with so many international organizations - Pets Without Vets, World Vets and Caribbean Spay Neuter to name a few - that leverage DCDR’s strong community ties and expertise to maximize the efforts of their volunteer veterinarians. To date, DCDR has spayed/neutered 1,000 animals and counting. They have also found loving homes for over 500 and orchestrated the long journeys for many of the adopted. These are massive accomplishments considering the history of the area just a short time ago:
"Only eight or nine years ago, the streets of Sosúa were populated by animals in varying degrees of neglect, injury and starvation. Both residents and tourists were exposed to animals that they viewed as diseased, dying or potentially dangerous. Mass poisonings of dogs on the streets and beaches was a common occurrence. Fear of zoonotic diseases, especially rabies and mange, as well as dog bites and cat scratches fueled these attitudes and reactions. (Zoonotic diseases are those which can be transmitted from animals to humans.)"
“Since the Community Outreach program came into effect, the overall health of the animal population has improved by leaps and bounds. Volunteer veterinarians, who have returned annually to the Dominican Republic, as well as resident expatriates and regular visitors to the area, have commented on the marked improvements in the health of dogs and cats in terms of reduced anemia, weight gain, and fewer skin and parasite issues. The locals have gained a high degree of trust in our volunteers and increased pride in their pets. No longer are female animals discarded or killed in a desire to prevent future offspring. Dogs and cats are less likely to be shunned or chased off due to skin issues. Starving dogs no longer roam the streets. Both Sosúa and Cabarete are now safer places for the community animals that socialize in the streets and on the beaches. Many local businesses ensure there is always fresh water on the streets and bowls of food.”
Great article on DCDR – thank you for getting our name out there….tom
Thank you for the wonderful and supportive article. You did great research, and I’m proud to be part of the DCDR team. <3
Darlene Wilder
November 24, 2015
I am so happy to be a part of this amazing organization!