From the Streets of Jauja to Casa Aurora: It is Finally Layka’s Turn
Three years ago, at a bustling bus terminal in Jauja, Peru, a brave street dog named Layka gave birth to a litter of puppies.
Many of you might remember helping us care for her and her babies back then.
One by one, those puppies grew, found loving homes, and started beautiful new lives with their forever families.
But Layka stayed behind.
For three years, she remained at that terminal. But she was never just another street dog to us. She was always in our thoughts and deeply rooted in our hearts.
A Promise Kept Across the Years
Whenever the temperatures dropped during freezing nights, when the rainy season hit, or when word reached us that she was sick, we worried. Back then, we didn’t have a physical space to bring her in. We did what we could — even building her a doghouse at the terminal to shield her from the elements — but it was later stolen. Still, we never stopped hoping that one day we could offer her something better than survival on the concrete.
Last year, after finally opening Casa Aurora, that hope became a mission.
We went back to the terminal several times, determined to bring Layka home. For three days, we tried to build her trust, to show her it was safe. But the streets leave scars; Layka was terrified and ran away whenever we drew close. We left disappointed, but we refused to give up on her.
Now, life has given us another chance — but it comes at a critical time.
The Fight for Layka’s Health
This week, Layka became seriously ill and was rushed to the veterinary clinic. She is currently hospitalized with a severe respiratory infection that has heavily impacted her throat and lungs.
As the veterinarians examined her, they made an even more heartbreaking discovery: Layka has a torn cruciate ligament. To ever walk comfortably and pain-free again, she urgently needs TPLO surgery.
The Medical Cost: The surgery alone is estimated at 2,500 soles (approximately $800 USD).
The Additional Expenses: This does not yet include her current hospitalization, heavy medications, follow-up care, and a long road of rehabilitation.
The financial hurdle is steep, but what truly breaks our hearts isn't the cost. It’s the realization that Layka watched all of her babies get chosen, while she was left behind to endure the hardships of the streets alone.
How You Can Help: It is Finally Her Turn
Layka has shown incredible resilience, but she cannot fight this battle by herself anymore.
Once she is medically stable, our plan is to bring her straight to Casa Aurora to heal, while we search for the permanent, loving family she has deserved for years.
We are dedicating our latest Sponsor a Pet campaign entirely to Layka, and we need our community to rally around her.
Our Goals for Layka:
Fund her urgent TPLO surgery and respiratory treatments.
Spread her story far and wide to give her the visibility she never had on the streets.
Find her a foster or permanent forever home where she will never be left behind again.
Join Layka's Journey
Whether you can donate toward her medical fund, share her upcoming videos on TikTok and Instagram, or open your heart and home to foster or adopt her, you are giving Layka the chance she has waited three years for. We will be sharing regular updates, photos, and videos of her progress right here and across our social channels. Let’s show Layka that her days of waiting at the terminal are officially over.
