On October 10, 2026
We reached a major milestone by hosting our first ever spay and neuter campaign in Paca, Junín.
While many know Paca for the striking beauty of Laguna de Paca — a popular tourist destination — the reality beyond the scenic lakeside is quite different.
The surrounding anexos and rural neighborhood roads remain largely unpaved, and many local families, particularly low-income residents and elderly community members, face significant barriers to accessing veterinary care.
Thanks to the vital support and generosity of the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, we were able to bring free, safe sterilization surgeries directly to those who needed them most.
Introducing Sterilization to a New Community
Sterilization is still a relatively new concept in Paca. Helping families understand why spaying and neutering are vital — not just for their pets' health, but for preventing unwanted litters, animal abandonment, and the growth of free-roaming populations—is an ongoing journey.
For this inaugural campaign, all surgeries were offered completely free of charge to vulnerable and low-income families.
While we hoped to reach even more animals from the surrounding anexos, community attendance was lower than expected.
Yet, by the end of the day, 19 animals received life-changing surgery: 14 dogs and 5 cats.
And every single one of those 19 matters.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Numbers never tell the whole story. One of the most moving parts of the day was welcoming elderly women and men who walked into our clinic area holding their beloved dogs and cats.
For many of these families, professional veterinary services would otherwise be entirely out of reach.
We don't look back at October 10 as a campaign that only sterilized 19 animals. Instead, we see it for what it truly was: entering a new community and planting the first seed.
Because of this campaign:
19 animals were safely sterilized and will live healthier lives without contributing to unwanted litters.
19 families experienced firsthand what compassionate, safe, and responsible pet care looks like.
1 brand-new community now knows that Pichuberry and our partners are here to support them.
Looking Ahead: We're Only Getting Started
Real, lasting social change doesn't happen overnight — it happens one family, one animal, and one community at a time.
This campaign was only the beginning for Paca.
We are already looking ahead to our return, with a clear focus on expanding community outreach and educational efforts across the surrounding anexos so more families can take advantage of these vital services in the future.
We want to extend our deepest, most sincere gratitude to the Fondation Brigitte Bardot. Their incredible international support made this campaign possible, allowing us to take our very first steps into Paca and establish a foundation for long-term impact.
Our first 19 in Paca. And we’re only getting started. 🐾✨
Moments of the Day
