The Power of One: Planting the Seeds of Change in Yanamarca

On July 5, 2026

Sometimes, the true success of a rescue campaign cannot be measured purely by numbers

At first glance, our recent sterilization campaign in Yanamarca might seem modest. We registered 28 pets, and ultimately, 16 families brought their dogs and cats to be spayed and neutered.

But behind those 16 surgeries lies a story of perseverance, broken barriers, and a single little dog who changed everything.

This campaign represents something much bigger than a single weekend — it represents the opening of a door that had been firmly shut for over a year.

The Closed Doors of Yanamarca

For more than twelve months, Pichuberry tried tirelessly to bring a sterilization campaign to Yanamarca. We reached out to the local health post, knocked on the doors of the mayor’s office, and searched for any foundational support within the community.

Every single door remained closed. Without a safe location, electricity, running water, and basic facilities, organizing a safe medical campaign felt completely impossible.

Then came Perlita.

Every time we drove through Yanamarca, we noticed the same sweet, homeless-looking female dog wandering the streets. She looked so much like another rescue named Perlita whom we had successfully rehomed the year before, so the name naturally stuck. Because our cars are always stocked with dog food, we began stopping to feed her whenever we passed by.

One day, we decided to ask the neighbors who she belonged to. Eventually, we tracked down her owner, who initially denied owning her before admitting Perlita stayed at her home. When asked if the dog was spayed, the owner replied, "Yes, she's already sterilized. We gave her an injection."

A Vital Conversation

That single sentence opened the door to an invaluable educational moment. We explained gently but directly that contraceptive injections are not sterilization. They are temporary hormonal treatments that carry devastating, life-threatening side effects for female dogs, including severe uterine infections (pyometra) and mammary tumors.

We offered to have Perlita properly spayed, but her owner wasn't interested and walked away.

A couple of weeks later, fate intervened. Driving through Yanamarca, we found Perlita heavily in heat — proving exactly what we had warned against. We approached the owner again, offering to drive Perlita to the clinic ourselves. Frustrated, the owner told us, "Just take her. I don't want her anymore. She's always in heat."

Instead of taking her away forever, we advocated for her. We convinced the owner to let Pichuberry safely sterilize both Perlita and the family cat, promising to bring them right back home.

Pichuberry covered everything: the transportation, the surgeries, the medications, and the follow-up care. It was an emotionally exhausting night; Perlita took much longer than expected to wake up from the anesthesia, leaving our team worrying and checking on her well into the morning. But the next day, she turned the corner, recovering beautifully.

One Home, Full Hearts

That difficult journey with Perlita changed everything. Having witnessed our genuine care, the owner’s heart softened. In an incredible act of trust, she offered us her humble home to use as a makeshift clinic.

With zero support from the municipality or local authorities, Pichuberry’s very first sterilization campaign in Yanamarca was officially born. It didn't start with a government grant or a public facility. It started because one dog caught our attention, one honest conversation took place, and one family trusted us enough to open their front doors.

Yanamarca Campaign Impact:
• 16 total successful surgeries (Dogs & Cats)
• 100% community-funded & free to families
• 1 new community partnership established

Standing Together: Our Essential Partners

This milestone was made possible by incredible allies who stepped up at exactly the right time:

• Fondation Brigitte Bardot: We extend our deepest gratitude to the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, who fully funded every single surgery performed during this campaign. Thanks to their immense generosity, we were able to provide these vital medical services completely free of charge to an underserved community that needs them most. Thank you for believing in our mission.

• Veterinaria Espinoza: Our profound thanks go to Dr. Jesús Espinoza and his incredible veterinary team. They continue to stand beside us on the front lines with unmatched professionalism, deep compassion, and an unwavering commitment to animal welfare. They are true partners in every sense of the word.

A Future Built on Hope

We are not discouraged that only 16 pets attended. Instead, we are filled with immense hope.

Changing a community doesn't happen overnight. It happens one conversation, one family, and one animal at a time.

This campaign planted the very first seed of change in Yanamarca.

This is not a goodbye; it is the beginning of Pichuberry’s long-term commitment to the animals and people of Yanamarca and Tingo Paccha.

We drive through these roads nearly every single day. Whenever an animal needs us, we will be there.

We are already actively planning our return campaign for August, and we know that as trust grows, more families will join us in becoming part of the solution.

Thank you all for supporting us, trusting our vision, and helping us break the cycle of suffering—one precious life at a time.

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