Vaccination & Neutering Campaign in Mexico
by Mariam Weston
In Mexico, our vaccination and neutering campaigns are done safely, efficiently, and effectively. Our veterinary doctor teams, their trainees, and assistants are highly skilled, have plenty of practice, and are all volunteers. We typically work for two days from sunrise to sunset. The line of pets grows and shrinks throughout the days we work. Our efforts benefit rural families living close to nature helping them so they help us save small wild cats and other wildlife. Our programs create partners, not enemies, for conservation.
Thanks to the invaluable support provided by the Barrett Foundation, we have successfully executed six vaccination and neutering campaigns in three Mexican communities neighboring areas where our trail cameras have recorded small wild cats like Ocelot, Margay, and Jaguarundi. In these three communities we neutered 395 pets, 187 dogs and 208 cats, helping prevent their further reproduction and mitigating the spread of diseases to wild cats. Additionally, we facilitated ten workshops for 200 community members in el Tuito, Tepetzingo, and Ahuatepec, collaborating with local primary schools to promote responsible pet ownership and strengthen the community's connection with local wildlife. These workshops highlighted the importance of neutering and vaccination for conserving small cats. Furthermore, we vaccinated 71 dogs and acquired 50 additional vaccines against canine distemper and other diseases, that we distributed between September and December.
We still have a lot of work to do, but having shown the way and seen the cooperation from rural families, local governments are stepping up to the challenge. Slowly, slowly what seemed like an impossible challenge is being conquered. We are no longer taking on the task alone.
Sustaining Livelihoods and Wildlife Conservation in Ongo Community Forest, Uganda
by Byron Ssemambo
African Golden Cat Working Group
In December 2024, the project team achieved significant milestones in its mission to conserve the African Golden Cat (AGC) while uplifting communities in Abangi, Ogadra, and Onieni villages around Ongo Community Forest in Uganda. Through targeted interventions, the project not only addressed wildlife protection but also created sustainable livelihood opportunities for local residents.
The establishment of livestock seed banks provided 30 female goats to households as a sustainable source of protein and income. Families were trained in animal husbandry, equipping them with the knowledge to breed and care for the goats. The "pass-on-the-gift" model, where beneficiaries commit to passing on the first offspring to a neighbor, ensures the program's long-term sustainability while fostering community collaboration and shared responsibility.
Additionally, the project introduced Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), offering community members access to credit and savings to diversify their income sources. With a seed fund provided and training in financial literacy and bookkeeping, SACCO members are now better equipped to invest in income-generating activities such as small businesses and agriculture. This initiative has empowered families to build financial security while reducing dependency on unsustainable practices like bushmeat hunting.
To enhance wildlife protection efforts, four community monitors were selected to conduct regular snare removal patrols. Equipped with essential protective gear, these monitors are actively reducing the number of traps within the Ongo Community Forest. Their work not only safeguards the AGC but also promotes a safer environment for biodiversity to thrive.
These combined efforts have harmonized conservation and community welfare, demonstrating the power of integrated approaches. As the project continues, its impact is expected to grow, serving as a model for sustainable development and wildlife protection, especially the African golden cat.
Leave a Reply