First Steps in Chocón: Bringing Care & Hope to a Rural Community
On July 25, 2026
Pichuberry reached an important milestone: holding our first-ever spay and neuter campaign in the rural community of Chocón.
This event marked a crucial step forward in our mission to bring vital veterinary care and humane education to underserved areas.
Chocón is a small rural farming community where access to veterinary care is extremely limited, and responsible pet ownership is still a new concept for many families.
Here, dogs are often viewed primarily as working guardians rather than indoor companions. Due to financial constraints, sterilization is rarely an accessible option, leading to frequent unwanted litters. Tragically, many puppies and kittens do not survive or are abandoned, continuing the cycle of overpopulation on the streets.
Small Numbers, Big Breakthroughs
Thanks to the generous support of the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, we were able to offer free sterilization surgeries to the community’s most vulnerable pets.
Together, our veterinary team sterilized 13 pets (11 dogs and 2 cats).
While 13 surgeries may sound like a modest number, it represents something far greater: the beginning of change for a community that had never before had access to spay/neuter services.
Every surgery performed prevents dozens of future homeless litters and marks a crucial turning point for animal welfare in Chocón.
Community Leadership & Compassionate Partners
This campaign’s success was made possible through local initiative and dedicated collaboration:
Sandra Meneses: A local community member who personally reached out to Pichuberry and spearheaded organizing efforts on the ground. Sandra identified vulnerable families, managed registrations, and worked tirelessly to make this campaign a reality.
Veterinaria Espinoza & Dr. Jesús Espinoza: Long-time partners in compassion who consistently travel to remote areas where animals need help the most.
Pichuberry Volunteers: Dedicated volunteers who donated their time, energy, and hands-on care to look after the animals before, during, and after surgery.
Key Observation: Overcoming Misconceptions
An essential observation from this campaign was that every single pet brought in for surgery was female.
Although families were explicitly invited to bring both male and female pets, no male dogs were registered.
This outcome highlights deep-rooted beliefs that still exist in many rural areas. Many community members believe that neutering male dogs changes their personality or makes them less effective as guardians.
Overcoming these misconceptions takes time, education, trust, and continuous engagement.
"Lasting change doesn't happen through a single campaign. It happens one family, one conversation, and one pet at a time."
Looking to the Future
This was our first visit to Chocón, but it certainly won't be our last.
We look forward to returning, expanding our educational outreach, and helping more families discover that spaying and neutering is the most compassionate and effective way to prevent overpopulation and reduce animal suffering.
Our heartfelt thanks once again to the Fondation Brigitte Bardot for believing in our mission and making these life-saving surgeries possible!
Moments Of The Day
