In 2023, our South America team commenced an exciting new project of delivering much needed veterinary care to remote communities in the Andes in Angochagua, Northern Ecuador. The growing populations of domesticated species have become increasingly damaging to the endemic wildlife in the region - spreading disease, overwhelming habitats, and disrupting ecosystems.
To help repair this delicate balance, our veterinary team have been delivering sterilisation outreach campaigns within these communities. The programmes are aimed at managing the growing population of domesticated animals to reduce conflict, improve the welfare of companion animals, and provide a valuable training opportunity for Ecuadorian vets and vet students, so that care can continue in the future.
UK small animal vet, Hattie Algar MRCVS, joined us for our four-day September outreach campaign in the Ecuadorian Andes, generously giving her time and expertise to help provide these essential veterinary services.
Keep reading to hear all about Hattie’s experience.
'In September 2024, I was lucky enough to take part in the WVS Andes Mass Sterilisation Project. I was part of the first cohort of international volunteers (5 of us in total), who headed out to get involved. WVS partnered with the local vet school at San Francisco University, Quito (USFQ), to provide training to final year vet students as part of the initiative. In total we were a group of roughly 30 people: 15 vet students, 5 vets from WVS, 5 vets from the university, and 5 international volunteers. The WVS team met with us on the first day for an introductory breakfast meeting, before joining the vet students for a roughly 2-hour bus ride up into the mountains.
The project was located in a rural place called Mulaló, in the foothills of the impressive (and beautiful) Cotopaxi volcano. The local people were mainly subsistence farmers, with paddocks and low intensity dairy farms sprawled across the hilly terrain. The region is home to a host of endemic wildlife, including condors, which have unfortunately become critically endangered due to conflicts between wildlife and farmed / domestic species (e.g. attacks, poisonings, etc.). The campaign started with an educational talk to the local people, delivered by vets from the charity “Fundación Cóndor Andino Ecuador”, about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. They also spoke about cross-species disease risk, and the benefits of neutering pets. This was really cool to see, giving the local people some understanding and wider context as to what the project was trying to achieve. I certainly listened with interest, as I tried to keep pace with my very rusty Spanish!
We stayed in a colonial-style hotel, which was incredible. I had a spacious room with an open fire, freshly laid each evening (it was pretty chilly in the mountains, so the fire was greatly appreciated). The staff were so lovely, cooking lovely meals for us each evening, and 3-course breakfasts and coffee in the morning to fuel us for the day. Lunches were usually soup, rice and juice in a bag, eaten at the campaign site as we took it in turns for a break throughout the day.
The campaign took place in a “Casa Comunal” (similar to a village hall in the UK), and we completed 4 days of sterilisation work in total. The days were quite long, starting at 07:30, arriving to a flurry of locals waiting expectantly outside with their dogs/cats. Each animal was numbered with a bit of sticky tape on the forehead, and we worked through until all were done, usually around 50-60 animals per day. Ages ranged from juvenile puppies/kittens, to older mature bitches. We saw all shapes and sizes of dog, at all stages of oestrus, gestation and lactation. Breeds were mainly crossbreed, terrier/collie type dogs, most of them absolutely charming and very well socialised.
Ourselves (vets) and the students were divided up into groups and assigned a station for the day – either operating, prep, recovery or anaesthesia. Prep involved a pre-GA check on each animal, I.M. pre-med, IV catheter placed, IV induction, intubation, clip and sterile prep. The drugs were a little different to what I’m used to in the UK, but I soon got used to it. There were clear written dosage protocols, as well as reversal agents and a crash trolley available if needed, so I felt very safe and supported should help be needed. In fact, I did require surgical help with one particularly bleedy bitch spay, but one of the incredibly experienced WVS vets was on hand to scrub in and help (thanks Erica, you legend). Thankfully the rest all went smoothly and great fun was had performing the surgeries with the students.
There was a clear emphasis on teaching the students throughout the project. They had all completed the necessary theory prior to the campaign, and many already had a good level of practical experience, so it was really a case of applying and developing their skills in real-life. As would be expected, they were at varying levels in different skill areas; some were tying their first ligatures and placing IV catheters for the first time, whilst others completed their first solo (but supervised) procedures. It was really cool to see and be part of!
The students all had excellent attitudes and worked incredibly hard. They were amazing fun, and we enjoyed a good laugh and comradery throughout the days and into the evenings over dinner, etc. One student very kindly became my honorary tour guide and showed me around the historical centre of Quito once we got back to the city after the project ended.
I felt like I made long-lasting friendships with the other volunteers and students, and I can’t wait to see and hear what all the students get up to after graduating.
The other international volunteers were great fun too. We clicked immediately, and all brought different skills and experience from our various veterinary roles around the world. I felt like I made long-lasting friendships with the other volunteers and students, and I can’t wait to see and hear what all the students get up to after graduating. Hopefully it has shown them the amazing opportunities they have to make a real impact in their beautiful country.'
Campaign overview
During the four days of the campaign, 15 senior university students were trained, all gaining significant hands-on experience in all areas. These students developed key skills for their academic training, such as conducting general physical exams, placing IV catheters and intubating, managing anesthetic protocols and monitoring, and developing surgical skills through sterilisations and castrations. As well as this, a total of 193 animals were surgically sterilised, helping to humanely manage the population of domesticated species.
Want to get involved and make a difference for animals in Ecuador?
The 2025 dates for our Andes outreach project are now live and open for applications. Visit our volunteering page to find out more and apply.