About the Shelter
Distrito: San Jeronimo
Apv Santa Cruz A-12 via de Evitamiento
Cusco, Peru
https://goo.gl/maps/sxv3V95Eee72
HISTORY
El Refugio Privado de Perritos Soy Callejerito is run by two Cusco natives, Maite and Anyelo. Maite had just finished her studies of economics at University about 20 years ago and was happily living on her own in Cusco. She took in 3 dogs who were in need of a home and from then on, started rescuing any pups that needed help. Maite and Anyelo met about 6 years ago when she helped him rescue a dog. Anyelo had been rescuing on his own, but they agreed to work together after meeting. Anyelo also keeps dogs at his house that need a place to stay. They have been receiving help from volunteers for the past 2 years. Since they started working together, they have used 5 different properties as the location for the Refuge. Often times, landlords raise the rent after a year to encourage them to move out once they see all of the dogs. They moved into the current location in August of 2016, but will likely have to move again once their contract is up next year.
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The shelter takes up all of their time, and the two are unable to work on a consistent basis. They work odd jobs when available but money is always short. They sell things to help cover extra expenses such as medical care for the dogs.
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SHELTER GROUNDS
Since Maite and Anyelo take in any animal in need, they have about 100 total animals at the Refuge. The majority are dogs, but the shelter has recently housed cats, injured pigeons, and even a parrot. Any available space at the shelter is used to house the animals. Maite also lives in a room on the grounds as well.
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The property has ONE source for water (cold only), which often shuts off each day around noon. This is common in Cusco. However, sometimes it shuts down way earlier, making Maite, Anyelo and the volunteers having to find other ways to clean foor bowls and get water for the dogs. To obtain hot water, they have to heat it in pots over a small campfire. All of the kennels are dirt floor with donated blankets, towels or mattresses for the dogs. Without a washing machine, volunteers wash blankets in buckets with cold water one at a time. Click on the gallery to see photos of the shelter.
Volunteers cleaning blankets, constructing play areas, and hanging plastic to combat the frigid night temperatures.
