Thanks to the support of our donors, Animal Heroes has been able to support Red de Apoyo Canino (RAC), our local partner in Venezuela, in providing vital assistance to animals and communities affected by the earthquake.
RAC has been working on the ground from the very beginning of the emergency, providing veterinary care, food, shelter support and assistance to animals and their caregivers in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Veterinary care on the ground
In Caraballeda, RAC operates a permanent veterinary point, a free vaccination point and a mobile veterinary unit that moves to a different location each day.
The team treats around 100 animals every day, providing veterinary consultations, wound care, deworming and vaccinations against rabies, canine diseases and feline diseases.
Thanks to the support provided through Animal Heroes, RAC has also been able to cover X-rays and pre- and post-operative examinations for animals suffering from trauma. Veterinary teams from Colombian NGOs joined RAC’s emergency response and carried out 10 surgeries.
There are currently 11 additional surgeries pending, which Dr José David Áñez will perform in the coming weeks at a private clinic that RAC has access to.
Supporting shelters and communities
The earthquake caused severe damage to shelters and left many families struggling to care for their animals.
In El Junquito, RAC supported the repair of a shelter for 120 animals — 80 dogs and 40 cats — after it collapsed during the earthquake. A water pump, generator and new fencing have already been purchased. Once the remaining work is completed, the shelter will reopen and ongoing sterilisation campaigns will begin.
RAC has also conducted a census and visited four shelters for displaced families. These shelters were already at capacity and are now completely overwhelmed.
RAC is providing direct support to several urgent cases, including:
- Carlos, who has limited resources and temporarily took in 20 animals in one of the worst-affected areas.
- Scarlet, whose home collapsed. She is currently caring for 27 animals and needs support to continue looking after them.
- Arlenys, a coordinator from Valles del Tuy who rescued 20 dogs and 15 cats. She suffered a stroke following the earthquake and is now almost completely immobilised. RAC is working to relocate the animals and find suitable adoptive homes.
RAC has also distributed dog and cat food at strategic locations throughout La Guaira and Caracas, as well as delivered essential supplies and tools directly to affected communities.
Cooperation and relocation
RAC obtained the necessary permits for rescuers and veterinarians travelling from Colombia and established partnerships with other animal welfare organisations to receive additional donations and supplies.
Together with a coalition of 47 animal welfare organisations, RAC is coordinating the relocation of approximately 80 rescued animals to Colombia, where they can continue their recovery and have better opportunities to find permanent homes.
Supporting the local team
RAC’s team in La Guaira consists of four dedicated people who organise sterilisation campaigns every 15 days. Two team members lost their homes in the earthquake. RAC is supporting them with food, medical care and the equipment they need to continue their work.
There are currently 22 rescued animals in foster homes, and RAC has helped relocate three pets to other states for families who were unable to transport them themselves.
The challenges continue
The situation on the ground remains difficult. RAC is dealing with outbreaks of distemper and parvovirus, overcrowding and fighting between animals, particularly among females in heat.
For this reason, veterinary care, vaccinations and free sterilisation for animals belonging to displaced families remain key priorities. Preventing the spread of disease and unwanted litters is essential to preventing an already difficult situation from becoming even more serious.
Rabies vaccination campaigns in Maracaibo have also continued despite the emergency, following an outbreak declared by the Ministry of Health.
The emergency is far from over
While international attention is gradually moving away from the earthquake, RAC remains on the ground and continues to support animals in need.
With the support of our donors, RAC can continue providing emergency veterinary care, food, sterilisation and shelter support to animals affected by the crisis.Thank you for helping us support our local partners and the animals of Venezuela.
