LIMÓN, Costa Rica—During the month of September, Humane Society International/Latin America participated in an animal health fair that took place in the indigenous community of Suretka, Talamanca, in the province of Limón. The purpose of the fair was to provide local animals with general health check-ups and sterilizations.

Teams treated 200 dogs and cats, who were given health exams, dewormed and vaccinated against rabies. Nearly 100 animals were also spayed or neutered. In one case, a tumour was removed from a young dog who was in very poor health. He was dewormed and his owner was given medication and instructions to improve his health.

For Amanda Chaves, manager of the Companion Animals Program of HSI/LA, this type of event provides a helping hand to people who live in remote places and who do not have veterinary doctors or access to the appropriate medicine for their pets. “The idea is to help animals who don´t have the opportunity to see a veterinarian on a regular basis. Humane Society International/Latin America makes this life-saving care possible by donating the materials and medicines so that the specialists can do their work,” explained Chaves.

Give now to help animals all over the world.

The health fair was organized by the Costa Rican Indigenous Association and included veterinary staff from the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), the College of Veterinary Physicians of Costa Rica, and the Hospital of Minor and Wild Species of the National University. Additional support came from the Municipality of Heredia and HSI/LA, which provided the medicines and supplies for animal care.

This is the second time that HSI/LA has travelled to Talamanca to work with SENASA. The collaboration has resulted in significant improvement in the welfare of local residents’ companion animals. HSI/LA expects to contribute every three months to animal health fairs in the province.

END

Media contact for HSI/LA:

• Valeria Murillo, (506) 2234-5487/8707-6851, valeria.murillo@efectiva.cr.