Animal Health & Welfare

Misión Gaia has been involved in a number of projects aimed at increasing the quality of life for animals suffering on the streets. These include efforts to help reduce illness, provide low-cost sterilization clinics and educate the community about the responsible care of pets.

WHAT WE DO


  • Low-cost or free sterilizations and health clinics for dogs and cats in Minca and Taganga

  • Educational campaigns for the responsible care of domestic animals

  • Campaigns to increase the health and well-being of stray animals

  • Veterinary services; including deworming, flea and tick treatments, medical examinations, as well as pre-treatment for spay and neuter

  • The availability of clinics at a low or subsidized cost for stray animals

get involved

We are ambitious and to meet our goals we cannot do it alone. Get involved and help us spread the word about our fundraising campaign to operate 250 animals for free in Taganga. Click here for more information. Thanks :)


coming soon


NOVEMBER SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC IN MINCA

For more information contact us at info@misiongaia.org

WHY is this important ?


  • Protect the biodiversity, endemic and endangered species

  • Maintain the well-being of the ecosystem

  • Public health

  • Animal health and welfare

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to more than 600 species of birds: 35% of the bird biodiversity of Colombia. Santa Marta contains the highest concentration of 36 endemic bird species found on the planet.

According to the Secretariat of Health of Santa Marta, there are more than 55,000 dogs and cats in Santa Marta and the surrounding areas. We must recognize that these animals have impacts on our environment; they constitute one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.

Abandoned animals live in poor condition. Public intervention is urgent in order to control or treat the animal population. Therefore, we believe that our pets should be sterilized, reducing the negative impact that they not only cause in our environment but also for themselves.

Educative activities with local school in Taganga

July 2021, Health day, Spay and euter clinic in Taganga and Minca.


In alliance with the Fundación Entropika Foundation and with the support of local volunteers, we plan to develop a health, sterilization and neutering session for dogs and cats in the communities of Taganga and Minca. We seek to sterilize and neuter 250 animals free of charge, carry out postoperative care for at least one week and develop educational activities for at least 300 students from the Taganga IED. We call on government organizations and institutions, private businesses and the general public to enlist their support in this process. Let us remember that the Union is strength.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 2011-2021

  • We have organized 45 spay and neuter clinics in Taganga and Minca

  • We have sterilized a total of 1,947 dogs and cats, 70% of which were abandoned or lived in the streets.

  • We have provided medical treatments to more than 1,200 animals

  • We have organized community activities involving more than 125 local and international volunteers

  • We have held an average of 4 periodic annual campaigns for disease control

  • We have led 9 educational campaigns in local schools about pet welfare, responsible care and the preservation of local species

  • We have printed and distributed more than 300 illustrated educational booklets for children

OUR GOALS

  • Sterilize at least 800 animals per year. Offer monthly sterilization and health clinics for abandoned animals

  • Develop educational sessions on responsible care of domestic animals

  • Obtain and maintain a veterinary first aid kit to be used in the community

  • Have a permanent veterinarian in our work team (if you are interested, find out how to work with us)

  • Improve the quality of life of the inhabitants and promote animal welfare

OUR EVENTS

BE PART OF THE CHANGE!

PARTICIPATE TO STRENGTHEN EFFORTS OF THIS PROGRAM ONLINE

This program's activities for 2020- 2021 are focused on getting financial and human resources in order to have a mobile unit by 2022 that allows developing sterilization and veterinary days in different communities of the Sierra Nevada and it's foothills permanently f.

Sterilization provides benefits to pets and environment!

Would you like to support this project? Contact us!


Overpopulation of dogs and cats causes an alarming increase in the number of abandoned animals and a worsening of living conditions and quality of life. So, in order to increase the quality of life of the animals that suffer on our streets, we invite you to learn about our work and to support it!

Sterilization Requirements

  • Animals must be in good health

  • Not in heat or pregnant (if pregnant not more than three weeks gestation)

Recommendations

  • Clean the animal the day before surgery

  • Do not give food for at least 12 hours before surgery , or water 8 hours before surgery.

  • We recommend that the last meal be served 12 hours before surgery (at 8 p.m. the day before surgery).

  • Leave your cats inside a locked room/bathroom the night before to make sure they don't hunt during the night.

  • Please bring your cat in a pet box or pillowcase as it is more comfortable and avoids the stress of seeing other animals.

  • Dogs should be with their owner, wear collar and leash.

  • Make sure you have time to care for the animal after surgery.

  • We recommend that the animal be dewormed and vaccinated at least 1 month prior to surgery. It is recommendable to do the pre-surgical examinations.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We are currently looking for a veterinarian who wants to support our team! If you have experience, are open for a unique challenge and want to help make a real impact in the lives of the local animals, please send us your resume to work on Taganga and Minca during 2021!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

We are always looking for volunteers to participate in our projects. For now we are only receiving applications to volunteer online. Check out our Volunteer page and make a difference in the lives of the cats and dogs in the area of Minca. Contact us!