Medellín’s Animal Welfare Initiatives: Breaking Records and Transforming Lives

2023-11-20 23:35:51

Photo caption: Medellín broke its records for rescue, sterilization and adoption of more than 70,000 animals.

Photo: Courtesy

In the capital of Antioquia all forms of life are important. For this reason, and for the first time in the history of Medellín, in the current administration the Undersecretary of Animal Protection and Welfare was created, progress was made in the construction of the Wildlife Refuge and the new headquarters of the La Perla Protection Center.

The latter consists of a public program of the District of Medellín for comprehensive care of domestic fauna in highly vulnerable situations and, in many cases, without a responsible caregiver to guarantee their rights and well-being.

It should be noted that rescue actions, complete clinical care, hospitalization, surgery, sterilization, accommodation and promotion of adoption are carried out in this place. Achievements achieved at the same time that the city broke its records for rescue, sterilization and adoption of more than 70,000 wild and companion animals.

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However, and as explained by Diana Marcela Santacruz, Undersecretary of Animal Protection and Welfare, these affirmative actions improve the living conditions of animals in the city; but they are not enough, given that interdisciplinary work is necessary that links the entire population of Antioquia.

With this vision, 150 students from five campuses began their training in a course on animal protection and well-being, which is developed bimodally through the District’s Virtual Learning School (EVA) with the Moodle platform.

“With the Digital Innovation Secretariat and the Virtual Training School we have developed a course for tenth and eleventh grade students from different schools in the District, in order to educate them, raise awareness and generate knowledge around the protection and well-being of animals. It is focused on generating awareness, care, conservation and protection of all the species and forms of life that inhabit our territory,” says Santacruz.

According to the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, the 150 registered who began the Mandatory Student Social Service in animal protection and welfare belong to the educational institutions El Pinal (Villa Hermosa), Antonia Claver and Marco Fidel Suarez (Castilla), Antonia Derka (Popular) and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Santa Cruz).

The training consists of 90 hours of work, distributed in direct activities on the platform (talks, videos, podcasts) and the proposal for social intervention through an intervention project that connects students with the problems of human-animal interactions. in their community, neighborhood, sector, block or within the same establishment, which contributes to the mandatory social service required by high school graduates in the country.

“From the Secretariat of Digital Innovation we support the development of the course ‘Pollinators in Animal Welfare’, which is available in our Virtual Learning School, so that students in grades nine, ten and eleven can learn about a topic that excites them. at the same time comply with the requirement of providing mandatory social service. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thus bringing technology closer to our citizens,” explained the Undersecretary of the Smart City, Ana María Valencia Cáceres.

According to the spokespersons, this space has the capacity for more students to join in the future, so institutions interested in this bimodal possibility can request it. In turn, those who take it can access the other EVA categories, since the platform allows several courses to be taken at the same time, all with a certificate of participation and attendance.

Attention lines

Within the care routes of the La Perla Animal Welfare Center there are several lines depending on the need that the citizen requires:

· In case of complaints of animal abuse, you must contact the Single Emergency Line 123.

· For adoption processes, WhatsApp lines 311 796 3457 and 311 7987303 are enabled (also by telephone)

· For general information: 604 385 5560.

How can I adopt in La Perla?

To carry out an adoption process, there are the following channels:

Through an in-person visit to the CBA La Perla – Carrera 8ª # 112 – 82, Corregimiento Altavista.

People who apply for adoption are interviewed and receive a form to fill out. The interview is conducted by a social professional from the Animal Welfare Center about the environment where the pet will be. The adopter must provide as much information about the place and family dynamics.

Depending on the characteristics requested by the adopter for their pet, a tour will be carried out with the veterinarian where several animals that meet the characteristics will be presented.

The animal will be delivered to the CBA La Perla as long as the adopter has transportation that guarantees the integrity of the pet, otherwise a visit is scheduled to deliver it to the home.

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