Transforming the Mantaro Valley: 46 Lives Changed in Our Latest Campaign
On February 27, 2026
The Mantaro Valley
The Mantaro Valley takes its name from the majestic Mantaro River, which winds through numerous riverside towns in Peru.
It is a beautiful region, but beneath the surface lies a heartbreaking reality for local animals. Because communities line the riverbanks, these areas frequently become dumping grounds for abandoned pets.
Dogs and cats are left to fend for themselves, surviving on whatever food they can scavenge among the accumulated waste. Tragically, a common practice here is to keep a mother pet but abandon her newborns near the water, with the expectation that they will wander into the river and drown. The animals that manage to survive grow up deeply fearful of humans, learning to live feral lives just to stay alive.
But on Friday, February 27, thanks to our incredible community partners and supporters like you, we were able to step in and rewrite the script for 46 local pets.
A Community Hero Opens Her Doors
This vital campaign came together because a local kindergarten teacher named Fresia decided she could no longer just watch this crisis happen outside her classroom. Fresia witnesses this harsh reality every single day and has already personally rescued about 14 cats and 8 dogs (all of whom are now spayed and neutered!).
While her home and heart are completely at capacity for new rescues, she knew she could still be a catalyst for change. She generously offered her own house as our campaign headquarters, providing the essential water, electricity, and clean workspace our medical team needed to operate.
Working hand-in-hand with our dedicated local volunteer coordinator, Mery, our team arrived at 7:00 AM sharp to transform Fresia's space into a fully functioning field clinic before the veterinary team arrived at 8:00 AM.
Overcoming the Challenges of Feral Cat Trapping
Beyond hosting, Fresia went above and beyond by helping us target the feral cat populations living directly along the river. Using humane traps provided by Pichuberry, she successfully captured nine stray cats (six females and three males).
Our goal with these vulnerable river cats is a strict Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) protocol: safely sterilize them, closely monitor their recovery, and return them to their home territory so they can live out their lives without contributing to the cycle of unwanted litters.
Promoting Responsibility, One Step at a Time
At Pichuberry, we know that sustainable animal welfare requires a dual approach: immediate crisis intervention and long-term community education.
To help foster a culture of responsible pet ownership, this campaign utilized a hybrid funding model:
20 Vulnerable/Street Animals: Fully funded and covered by Pichuberry donations.
26 Owned Pets: Families contributed a small "social fee" of 20 soles (about $7 USD).
In Peru, public education around animal welfare is still evolving. By asking owners to contribute a small, manageable amount toward their pet's healthcare, we help reinforce the idea that pets are valued family members who deserve care, protection, and medical oversight.
The community's dedication was inspiring—we even had families travel 30 minutes by public transit from Apata just to make sure their pets didn't miss out on this opportunity.
Real Work, Real Obstacles: An Update on a Recovery
Doing medical work in rural areas always comes with unexpected hurdles. Following the campaign, we monitored our 9 trapped river cats for three days. Unfortunately, one of the rescued males developed a severe infection at his surgical site.
Recognizing the urgency, Fresia immediately rushed him to a local veterinary clinic, where he has been hospitalized and receiving intensive treatment for the past two days. Because Pichuberry covers the entire baseline and post-operative care for our street rescues, this unexpected emergency has significantly increased our campaign costs.
Thank You for Making This Possible
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Fresia, who not only provided the structural foundation for this entire campaign but also kept our hard-working medical and volunteer teams fueled by preparing lunch and drinks. Thank you, Fresia, for your boundless compassion!
Campaigns like this prove that when local citizens, passionate volunteers, and global donors unite, we can directly stop the cycle of animal suffering at its source.
Help Us Cover the Emergency Care Fund
Unexpected complications like our hospitalized river cat place a heavy burden on our limited resource pool. If you would like to help us cover his ongoing veterinary bills and ensure we can fund the next 20 vulnerable animals in our upcoming community tracks.
Moments Of The Day
