HOLA "Humane Outreach for Latin Animals"

It is with great regret that we inform you of our decision to cancel our upcoming feline-focused spay/neuter campaign in Cartagena, Colombia, which was set to happen July 31 - August 2. For the past two weeks, we have been monitoring the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic closely, and as of today, there are no signs of a sudden improvement that would allow us to plan, raise the funds, and execute our campaign successfully. The good news is that we are still planning ...to carry out our December campaign, and we have decided to add in a FIFTH day of work to be able to provide outreach services to 500 dogs and cats. We'd like to thank the volunteers that had been selected to join us in Cartagena in July. Stay tuned for more updates. We hope you're all staying safe at home in the company of your loved ones... pets included of course.

This has been a hectic week all around the world regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The recent news from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 as a pandemic, has put a burden on our campaign. We understand that it is our responsibility as the leaders of HOLA to keep our volunteers as safe as possible. At this moment, we cannot guarantee the future of our July cat campaign. We are keeping a watchful eye on new developments and monitoring the situation closely. ... While the announcements of widespread "Work from Home" policies and travel bans sound scary, they are positive steps our government and corporations have implemented to hopefully contain the virus much faster. We don't want to give up on this dream just yet and that is why we have decided to wait until the end of the month to come to a conclusion on whether or not the campaign is going ahead in July. We remain positive and hopeful that we can carry out this important outreach campaign and provide spay and neuter surgeries to 300 cats in Cartagena. With love, Melissa & Natalia HOLA Co-Founders

Our July cat #spaycation in Cartagena is going ahead! --- As part of our preparations for our first spay/neuter campaign of 2020, we are monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 very closely. We currently have NO plans to postpone or cancel our cat campaign because of COVID-19. --- As this unprecedented situation is changing every day, we remain watchful but also focused on delivering what is an extremely important outreach campaign for the Cartagena feline community.... --- We’re very grateful to our volunteers @kitchencattextiles, @gordiecattrick, @beachin_sandy and @linabenaa who have chosen to volunteer at our upcoming campaign, and we hope that they are as excited as we are to make this dream happen! --- There are 300 cats waiting to be sterilized in Cartagena! --- HOLA is choosing to remain calm and to focus on the PAWsitive. We can't wait until July!!! #SnipTheGatos --- #cartagenacolombia #voluntourism #volunteerabroad #canadianvolunteers #americanvolunteers #helpanimalsabroad #holaforanimals #catsofinstagram #catwelfare #spayandneuter See more

BIG NEWS!! -- We have selected our volunteer team for our upcoming cat #spaycation in Cartagena, Colombia! -- Thank you to everyone who sent in their volunteer applications. If you applied for this project, please check your email (including spam/junk folder) to find out whether you were selected as a volunteer or not... -- Didn't get in? Don't get discouraged! We are still accepting applications for our December cat and dog campaign. -- We can't wait to share more details about our July volunteers! -- Great year ahead for HOLA! -- #cartagenacolombia #cartagenatourism #volunteerabroad #volunteerwithanimals #voluntourism #spayandneuter #spaycation #catsofinstagram #catsofcartagena See more

Did you know that today is World Spay Day? This day was established in 1995 by the Doris Day League as an annual campaign that aims to encourage people to save animal lives by spaying and neutering companion animals and feral cats. Sterilizing our pets not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, resulting in increased pet overpopulation, but it also has many health benefits that could increase our pets' lives.... Our mission is to provide assistance to dogs and cats in need in Latin America through spay/neuter campaigns. We're heading to Colombia TWICE this year to continue the work that we started there last November. Have you heard about our two campaigns in July and December? Interested in traveling to the beautiful city of Cartagena to lend a PAW to these campaigns? We are currently accepting applications for volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity for veterinary technicians/technologists, veterinary assistants, shelter staff or veterinary clinic staff. Don't be discouraged from applying if you don't have experience though! As long as you are an animal lover, and you're willing to learn and get down and dirty, you are welcome to apply to join our campaign. Please find all the details at http://holaforanimals.com/2020-campaign/ Deadline to apply for our July campaign is February 29th. Will we see you in Cartagena??

Why are we doing a CATS-ONLY campaign in July? After our pilot campaign last November, we learned that 56% of the animals through our clinic were cats. Our response? A ‘feline focused’ campaign this July to combat the effects of kitten season and highlight the value of spay/neuter to Cartagena’s cats. Our goal this July is to sterilize 360 cats over 4 days. The campaign will run July 31 to August 2, but our team of volunteers will need to plan travel and R&R days before and... after the campaign. Volunteer applications are currently open until February 24th. There are only six spots available. You can find out more details about this campaign at http://holaforanimals.com/2020-campaign/ Please read the requirements and expectations thoroughly before your apply. Our campaigns are funded solely through funds raised by us and our volunteers- Are you committed to making a difference for cats in Cartagena, Colombia this July? Then you should apply to volunteer with us! These volunteer positions are open to vet techs, vet assistants, animal care professionals, vet students, or anyone who is passionate about cats and is willing to learn and be a team player. Will you join us in Cartagena this July? Apply MEOW! #cartagenacolombia #catsofcartagena #catsofinstagram #catlover #crazycatlady #catladiesunite #catclub #ilovecats #vettechs #vettechlife #veterinarytechnician #veterinarytechnologist #veterinaryassistant #vetassistant #veterinarymedicine #veterinarystudent #RVT #animallover #animaladvocate #spayandneuter #spaycation #snipsnip #sterilization