In its first 3 months of operation, the Municipal Educational Center for Animal Care (CMECA) has already served 119 stray dogs and it currently gives shelter and food to 30 animals.
The animals usually arrive with flea infestations, internal parasites, various wounds and infections. Rolando Rodríguez, mayor of Cartago, said that they seem to be feeding on the streets.
In the center, the dogs are examined by professionals, who vaccinate them against rabies, administer internal and external anti-parasitic treatment and later castrate them. They remain in CMECA approximately 15 days after the surgery.
We are very happy with the progress in this center… These dogs have been captured by the municipality, we go by sectors to work in order, and have a little control of the zones,
said Rodríguez.
So far, 45 dogs have been adopted. The center takes a picture of the animal and publishes it in the virtual catalog of the municipality. If the owners do not claim them after a few days, they are put up for adoption. If a family cannot be found, they are returned to their habitat.
One of the fundamental axes of the program is the training and education to the population.
389 people have already received responsible pet ownership workshops, including children from CECUDIS, elementary students, senior citizens and other people,
said Rodriguez.
Visits with other members of the community are already scheduled for this year.
The CMECA has 8 thousand square meters and it was built by the municipality with an investment of ¢100 million.