Project Date: March 8-15, 2024
Localisation : Central America
Population : 408000
Spoken Languages : English, Spanish, Mayan and Garifuna
Local Partner : Cayo Animal Welfare Society (CAWS)
The Fondation Aide Vétérinaire Internationale (FAVI) has been proud to offer free veterinary care to animals in Belize for many years.
Since 2014, we have focused our efforts in northern Belize in Sarteneja and Corozal. Our annual visits to these small communities have had a major impact on the health of the animals. Population control through sterilization leads to a decrease in the number of unwanted litters and puppies thrown to the streets, where over 70% will die before the age of 6 months. Sterilization also reduces the number of packs of stray dogs, resulting in a much more harmonious cohabitation between humans and animals.
Sarteneja and Corozal are doing relatively well, despite their limited access to veterinary care.
The situation in the town of San Ignacio in the Cayo district is unfortunately different, if not alarming. The pandemic has hit hard in this tourist region. The cost of living has risen, and people struggling to support themselves have stopped feeding their animals. Emaciated animals roam the streets in search of food. Some are hit by cars and left to die in total indifference. Others breed freely despite their precarious state of health. Puppies are born. Puppies die. Every day. The wind must change.
The Cayo Animal Welfare Society (CAWS ) is in dire need of help. Volunteers operate year-round and are somewhat overwhelmed: adoptions, sterilizations ordered from local veterinarians and, sadly, sad euthanasia. A serious shake-up is needed to improve the quality of life for animals and their people.
FAVI would like to help CAWS with a massive sterilization campaign that will take place from March 8 to 15, 2024. For this project, we are looking for experienced veterinarians and animal health technicians.
We need you! Help us change the lives of one animal at a time!
Belize is a small, little-known country in Central America. It is a diving paradise with the second largest barrier reef in the world. Its lush forests are home to ocelots, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, toucans and other animals. The official language is English, but Spanish, Mayan and Garifuna are also spoken.
Cost of participation
$699 to $875
Included:
- Transfers from Belize City Airport (BZE) to the lodgings.
- Lodging for 7 nights, from March 8th to 15th
- Breakfasts, lunches and transport on clinic days.
**FVAI cannot provide meals to participants with dietary restrictions: allergies, gluten free diets, vegans and others.
- A surgeon’s top (scrub)
- Temporary permits for veterinarians
- Accompanied by French and English speaking veterinarians.
- All clinic materials so that all veterinary care is provided completely free or charge.
**FVAI only uses absorbable monofilament sutures (Monocryl* or PDS* type): veterinarians with other preferences must furnish their own suture materials.
**All of the gloves supplied to the participants are latex. Participants who are allergic to latex are responsible for supplying their own gloves.
**Participating veterinarians must use FVAI’s anesthetic protocols exclusively.
Not included:
- Air transportation from Montreal (YUL) to Belize City (BZE.)
- Suppers
- Activities during free time.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Passport
- Vaccinations
**And everything else not appearing in the “Included” section noted previously.
Practical Information
The local currency is the Belizean dollar.
$1.00CAN=$1.50 BZD as of December 21, 2023
The US dollar is accepted everywhere. $2.00 BZ= $1.00 US
There are ATM machines in San Ignacio. You can also withdraw money at the Belize City airport upon our arrival.
Itinerary
Day 1 (March 8): Departure from Montreal (YUL) to Belize City (BZE).
Day 2 and 3 (March 9 and 10): Clinic around Saint Ignacio.
Day 4 (March 11): Free day
Day 5 and 6 (March 12 and 13): Clinic around Saint Ignacio.
Day 7 (March 14): Free day
Day 8 (March 15): Departure from Belize City to Montreal.
*This itinerary is subject to modification.