The program Visiting Hearts has taken another step in the protection of public health and animal welfare by systematically incorporating pet sterilization and rabies vaccination for dogs and cats. This new phase complements the work already being carried out by door-to-door nursing brigades, with a special focus on neighborhoods where greater health needs are identified.
With this move, health authorities are seeking to tackle problems like animal overpopulation at their root companion animals and the risk of communicable diseases, while maintaining direct care for families in their homes. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen both human and animal health in various colonies and, in a later stage, to extend these actions to more remote areas.
Second phase of the program: more services for pets and families
In this second phase, incorporates specific days Sterilization and rabies vaccination services are offered to dogs and cats living in colonies previously visited by nursing staff. This leverages the existing relationships with families to provide a more comprehensive service that also includes their pets.
The Zoonosis area is responsible for organizing and executing veterinary campaigns at strategic locations from each neighborhood, relying on a mobile veterinary operating roomPrioritizing areas where a higher number of pets without reproductive control or up-to-date vaccination schedules have been detected. These actions aim, on the one hand, to reduce unwanted litters and, on the other, to prevent outbreaks of rabies and other diseases that pose a risk to the population.
The decision to add the veterinary component is based on the idea that health is a holistic concept: Protecting animals has a direct impact in the well-being of people, especially in homes where dogs and cats live closely with children, the elderly, or people with chronic illnesses.
Furthermore, sterilizations, according to one Complete guide to free sterilization campaignsThey are offered as an affordable alternative for families who, in many cases, they could not afford the cost of an intervention of this type in a private clinic, which makes it easier for more households to opt for responsible pet care.
First days at Balcones del Valle and schedule of activities
The start of this expansion of services has taken place in the Balcones del Valle neighborhoodwhere Zoonosis staff have begun performing the first sterilizations and rabies vaccinations on dogs and cats in the area. This neighborhood was chosen because of the previous work already carried out by nursing teams, who have firsthand knowledge of the residents' needs.
Health authorities have indicated that The activities will continue. On January 15th, at another location within the same neighborhood, the service will be offered to bring it closer to different areas so more people can access it without having to travel long distances. Pet owners are advised to pay attention to local announcements regarding this service. free sterilization days and bring your animals at the established times.
Once the main sectors of Balcones del Valle have been covered, the program plans to extend these days to other neighborhoods such as Simon Diaz and Little Treeswhere the Visiting Hearts brigades have also worked previously. The same approach will be followed at these locations: providing information door-to-door, coordinating with neighborhoods, and then setting up modules for veterinary care.
In parallel, a key date for the general population has been announced: January 15th, at the Fuente de la Montaña ParkAn open day will be held in which not only will check-ups and vaccinations be offered to people who come with their National Health Card, but information on pet sterilization and anti-rabies campaigns will also be reinforced.
Expansion to Huasteca and Altiplano and territorial focus
In addition to the urban colonies initially planned, the plan anticipates that, by the end of January, also reach municipalities in the Huasteca and the AltiplanoThese are areas where access to healthcare services, both human and veterinary, is often more limited. The intention is to replicate there the same working model that is being applied in urban areas.
In these territories, the brigades will have to adapt to very different realities in terms of population dispersioncustoms in animal care and availability of infrastructure, relying on new resources and mobile unitsEven so, maintaining the home care component and direct contact with families is considered a priority, given that many households have dogs and cats that are rarely taken to a veterinarian.
Extending the program to different regions reinforces the idea of ​​a coordinated state deployment, in which Prevention is the main focusboth through vaccines and early detection of health problems. In the case of pets, rabies vaccination in rural areas is especially important due to contact with wild animals and lower vaccination coverage. pet vaccination campaigns periodic.
It is expected that, as the initial interventions become more established, new schedules and service points will be defined to sterilization days to continue providing coverage to more communities. The goal is for the expansion of pet sterilization and vaccination services not to be a one-off action, but rather to become a permanent part of the program.
Primary care at home: a pillar that remains
At the same time as the new days for dogs and cats are launched, They continue with their usual work. Primary care services are being provided in homes. Nurses continue to visit neighborhoods to check on people's health, update vaccinations, and detect potential risk factors.
Among the actions that are carried out at home are the following: blood pressure measurement and glucose measurementEarly detection of diabetes and hypertension, and review of warning signs that may require more specialized follow-up. When a problem is found that exceeds the scope of primary care, the patient is referred to hospital units.
The brigades also deal with the Vaccination of vaccines to those who need them and the provision of essential medications when indicated, as well as facilitating access to contraception and family planning counseling. This support is especially helpful for the elderly, patients with chronic conditions, or families with mobility difficulties.
The door-to-door approach allows for the detection of situations that would otherwise go unnoticed, and incidentally It fosters trust between healthcare professionals and residentsThis translates into a greater willingness among the population to participate in campaigns such as pet sterilization and vaccination.
Open days and citizen participation
In addition to the work done directly in homes, the program includes open days in public spaces such as parks or plazas, where citizens can go without needing to have been previously visited by the brigades. The event announced in Fuente de la Montaña Park is an example of this broader format.
These sessions offer the possibility of complete vaccination schedules Presenting the National Health Card, as well as conducting a general check-up to detect any problems requiring follow-up. At the same time, the influx of people is used as an opportunity to promote services for pets and the importance of sterilization and rabies vaccination.
Active citizen participation is key for campaigns to have a real impact. Therefore, residents are encouraged to Share the information with family and friendsand support logistics, for example, by helping to transport the pets of elderly people or people with reduced mobility, or by coordinating between communities of neighbors.
In a context where there is increasing sensitivity towards animal welfare, the possibility of accessing free or low-cost sterilizations Vaccinations for dogs and cats can make a clear difference in how families approach the responsibility of living with a pet, as shown the more than 4.800 free sterilizations carried out in the capital.
With the addition of sterilization and rabies vaccination of pets to the work already being done in homes, Visiting Hearts reinforces a comprehensive view of health This program encompasses both people and the animals they live with. The combination of door-to-door visits, open days, and expansion to different regions creates a program that, if sustained over time, can significantly contribute to improving the well-being of families and reducing health risks in numerous communities.
