Editorial Note: This is part of a series highlighting Lady Freethinker’s Urgent Need Fund 2023 grant program recipients. The program was created to help nonprofit organizations with animal rescue, care, and awareness projects improving the treatment of animals. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
For over 30 years, Ciudadanos Pro Albergue de Animales de Aguadilla (CPAAA) has worked to save the lives of thousands of animals in Puerto Rico.
CPAAA was founded in 1990 by a group of Puerto Rican citizens concerned over the abuse, neglect, and overpopulation of animals on their island. Through their educational efforts, the organization has bloomed into something truly unique and has made incredible progress in their spay and neuter programming, adoption efforts, and education outreach.
“One of our most impactful projects was when we spayed and neutered 700 animals from seven public-housing projects free of charge,” Yeidy Velázquez recently told Lady Freethinker. “We also offer talks in schools and (on the) radio to spread the importance of spay and neuter, and the importance of adoption and animal care.”
CPAAA continuously provides low-cost spay and neutering to families in their community, helping to put a dent in Puerto Rico’s animal overpopulation problems. And their efforts are paying off.
TNR Program (Courtesy of CPAAA)
“We have seen the reduction of cat colonies in some neighborhoods through our TNR (trap-neuter-release) efforts,” Velázquez explained. “Little by little, we have seen people becoming aware of the needs and importance of sterilization – something we think is the product of our educational campaigns.”
Supporting local organizations like CPAAA in their efforts toward animal population control and education is essential to creating long-lasting, systemic change. The $10,000 LFT grant will provide spay-neuter services for 200 dogs and cats living in shelters or with low-income families.
It is because of our supporters that we were able to award this incredible organization with the money they need to save animals’ lives.
“We believe that we have to respect and protect every creature in the world,” Velázquez added. “We are committed to helping reduce animal overpopulation: help abused animals, offer low-cost spay/neuter, and get loving homes for our rescues.”
If you would like to learn more about the amazing work CPAAA is doing in Puerto Rico, we encourage you to visit their website and their Facebook page.
