13 images Created 23 Sep 2017
Soy Callejerito
Probably everyone who travels to Peru makes a visit to Cuzco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, this popular tourist destination is known for it’s Spanish colonial architecture, Peruvian cuisine, and of course, as a gateway to Machu Picchu.
As a frequent visitor to this charming city I could not help but notice the abundance of stray dogs, particularly around the Main Plaza which is popular with tourists and is the center of the city. My interest in animal welfare brought me to visit one of the few dog shelters in the city, Soy Callejerito, which means “I am a little street wanderer.”
The shelter is run by Maite Carreño Flores and Anyelo Espejo, two friends who started working together in Cuzco to rescue dogs about 6 years ago. Currently harboring about 100 dogs, the shelter receives no help from the local government. “I have spoken to them many times,” Anyelo tells me. “But they tell me that strays are only animals that live in the street. The government helps the sick and the poor, but they can speak. The animals cannot speak.”
Both Maite and Angelo have jobs but still struggle to support the day to day shelter operations. They rely heavily on donations and the help of volunteers. “We are the founders, the workers, and we have a lot of experience,” Anyelo says. “But it’s difficult because we have little money. Apart from rent (averaging $600 a month), we also use electricity, gas, and pay for dog food. If we get a sick dog, we also have to pay for a doctor.”
Many of the dogs the pair rescue from the streets are in need of medical attention. “It’s difficult to find a veterinarian here in Cuzco because there is no university,” Anyelo says. “There are eight vets here but they are very expensive.”
As most in the dogs in the shelter are mixed breed, Maite and Anyelo have difficulty finding people to adopt them. This is because the most popular dogs in Peru are pure bred such as Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. Oftentimes however, a volunteer at the shelter will end up falling in love and bring home a dog. Anyelo recounted how a recent volunteer who had spent 3 weeks at the shelter took home a dog when she returned to Detroit.
“It’s the best for adopting,” Anyelo says. “Not adopting the more beautiful dog but adopting the best connection. For me, it’s the best adoption.”
As explained by Anyelo, adopting a dog from Peru is not very expensive. The cost for a micro chip and certificate from a veterinarian is about 200 Soles ( $62 US). “All dogs deserve to change their life,” Anyelo says. “In the shelter, it’s not the best life, but it’s good. There’s food, love, and attention. But all dogs need a family. All dogs are special.”
During my visit I met volunteers from the U.S., Denmark and England. “I have dogs all over the world,” Anyelo tells me.
“The dogs need help,” Anyelo says. “It’s sad for the animals. Abandoned in the street, the dogs in the street abused, their life on the street is very sad. I will change this.”
As a frequent visitor to this charming city I could not help but notice the abundance of stray dogs, particularly around the Main Plaza which is popular with tourists and is the center of the city. My interest in animal welfare brought me to visit one of the few dog shelters in the city, Soy Callejerito, which means “I am a little street wanderer.”
The shelter is run by Maite Carreño Flores and Anyelo Espejo, two friends who started working together in Cuzco to rescue dogs about 6 years ago. Currently harboring about 100 dogs, the shelter receives no help from the local government. “I have spoken to them many times,” Anyelo tells me. “But they tell me that strays are only animals that live in the street. The government helps the sick and the poor, but they can speak. The animals cannot speak.”
Both Maite and Angelo have jobs but still struggle to support the day to day shelter operations. They rely heavily on donations and the help of volunteers. “We are the founders, the workers, and we have a lot of experience,” Anyelo says. “But it’s difficult because we have little money. Apart from rent (averaging $600 a month), we also use electricity, gas, and pay for dog food. If we get a sick dog, we also have to pay for a doctor.”
Many of the dogs the pair rescue from the streets are in need of medical attention. “It’s difficult to find a veterinarian here in Cuzco because there is no university,” Anyelo says. “There are eight vets here but they are very expensive.”
As most in the dogs in the shelter are mixed breed, Maite and Anyelo have difficulty finding people to adopt them. This is because the most popular dogs in Peru are pure bred such as Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. Oftentimes however, a volunteer at the shelter will end up falling in love and bring home a dog. Anyelo recounted how a recent volunteer who had spent 3 weeks at the shelter took home a dog when she returned to Detroit.
“It’s the best for adopting,” Anyelo says. “Not adopting the more beautiful dog but adopting the best connection. For me, it’s the best adoption.”
As explained by Anyelo, adopting a dog from Peru is not very expensive. The cost for a micro chip and certificate from a veterinarian is about 200 Soles ( $62 US). “All dogs deserve to change their life,” Anyelo says. “In the shelter, it’s not the best life, but it’s good. There’s food, love, and attention. But all dogs need a family. All dogs are special.”
During my visit I met volunteers from the U.S., Denmark and England. “I have dogs all over the world,” Anyelo tells me.
“The dogs need help,” Anyelo says. “It’s sad for the animals. Abandoned in the street, the dogs in the street abused, their life on the street is very sad. I will change this.”
