The Mayor's Office of Bogotá has launched an extensive day of Free sterilization for dogs and catsThis initiative aims to significantly boost efforts to control animal overpopulation and promote responsible pet ownership in the city. Throughout May, thousands of appointments have been made available to low-income families and caregivers of stray animals, allowing them to access this service free of charge.
The initiative is being developed through the District Institute for Animal Protection and Welfare (IDPYBA) and is part of the program “Cut it off in time”This is a strategy the District has been promoting to curb abandonment, prevent unwanted litters, and improve the quality of life for companion animals. The entire process is carried out by appointment, at fixed locations, and under very specific veterinary criteria.
4.500 free slots to sterilize dogs and cats in May
According to IDPYBA, the following will be enabled during May: 4.500 free sterilization slots This applies to dogs and cats residing in Bogotá or found stray within the district. The measure is part of a public policy that recognizes sterilization as a key tool in combating the uncontrolled growth of the animal population.
These shifts are primarily aimed at households in socioeconomic levels 1, 2 and 3That is, families with fewer financial resources who would otherwise have difficulty affording veterinary surgery. Also included are homeless dogs and cats or those under the care of animal shelters, foundations, and rescuers who can provide proof of their work.
District authorities insist that the service is freeNo official or intermediary is authorized to charge for scheduling an appointment, for the surgery itself, or for any follow-up appointments. If anyone attempts to solicit money, it is recommended that you report it immediately through the Institute's official channels.
Beyond the economic savings for families, the Mayor's Office emphasizes that these days also represent a important support in terms of public health, as they help to avoid unplanned litters, reduce the number of animals on the street and prevent certain pathologies associated with the reproductive system.
The District has pointed out that these types of campaigns are not isolated incidents, but rather are part of a broader strategy. ongoing animal welfare strategy, which also includes civic education actions, adoption processes and basic veterinary care in certain sectors of the city.
Who can access the free appointments
The program is designed to benefit pets belonging to households in socioeconomic levels 1, 2 and 3This also applies to stray dogs and cats, or those under the care of organizations and rescuers who can demonstrate their activity. The goal is that neither lack of resources nor homelessness should be an impediment to accessing sterilization.
They can only make the request older people Residents of Bogotá must accompany their pet throughout the entire process: from scheduling an appointment to the surgery and the immediate recovery period. The District emphasizes that pets whose owners do not meet this requirement will not be seen.
In addition, priority is given to the care of animals that have never been sterilized and who, due to their environment or conditions, are at greater risk of reproducing uncontrollably. This includes, for example, females living in communities with several intact males or cats that have frequent access to the street.
This approach seeks not only to alleviate the economic burden, but also intervene where the impact is greatest In terms of population control, authorities remind us that a single unsterilized animal can produce dozens of offspring in just a few years, ultimately leading to abandonment, suffering, and conflicts within the community.
In parallel, the IDPYBA is using these days to reinforce basic messages of responsible ownershipexplaining to the caregivers the importance of identification, vaccination and proper management of the environment in which the animals live.
Where the surgeries are performed and how the shifts are allocated
Sterilization procedures are carried out at two fixed reference points in the city, which have specialized veterinary teams and operating rooms equipped for these types of procedures. We do not provide care in makeshift locations or spaces that do not meet the necessary sanitary conditions.
One of the scenarios is the Animal Care Unit (UCA)Located in the Engativá district, in the El Muelle neighborhood (Carrera 106 A # 67-02), this center is the heart of many of the animal protection and welfare actions promoted by the District, and has specific infrastructure for surgeries, hospitalization, and recovery.
The second enabled point is the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the National University of Colombiawhere the scheduled surgeries within this campaign are also performed. The collaboration with this academic institution ensures quality standards and up-to-date protocols.
To organize demand, the shift system works in stages: Appointments for the National University location will be available on Monday., while the Wednesday, slots for the Animal Care Unit are activated.This schedule remains in effect throughout the month of May, always subject to availability.
Appointments are scheduled weekly, so the public is advised to pay attention to opening dates and the publication of available slots. Due to high demand, Schedules tend to fill up quicklyTherefore, it is advisable to check the official platform frequently and not leave the process until the last minute.
How to request an appointment for free sterilization
To access one of the slots, the essential step is request an appointment onlineThe IDPYBA has enabled a specific portal where all appointments are processed, in order to avoid queues, crowds and unnecessary travel to the service points.
The citizen must access the Institute's official website and go to the section on “Attention and services to the public”Within this menu you will find the option “Schedule your appointment”, from which you can access the sterilization module for dogs and cats.
Once in the system, you must select the checkbox for “Sterilizations” and complete a basic form with the responsible party's personal information and details about the animal (species, sex, approximate age, animal condition, among others). You can also choose, where possible, the date and location that best suits your availability.
The Institute emphasizes that No service without a confirmed appointment And there is no room for "stealing" on the schedule. Any animal that arrives without an appointment will be rescheduled or will not be able to undergo surgery that day, even if there is physical space available.
In addition to the online option, IDPYBA notes that citizens can receive guidance on the process through its administrative offices, the Super CADES and the enabled telephone linesHowever, the formal allocation of the appointment is always centralized on the appointment platform to maintain control of the process.
Health, age, and preparation requirements before surgery
In order to minimize risks and ensure a good outcome, the Institute has established a series of mandatory veterinary conditions for the animals to be accepted on the day. This is not a simple administrative procedure, but rather technical criteria designed to protect the patient's well-being.
Only those who intervene dogs and cats between the ages of 4 months and 8 yearsThe youngest specimens have not yet finished their development, while older ones usually require more thorough assessments that cannot be guaranteed in this type of mass campaign.
It is essential that the animal is in good general healthIf your pet shows signs of illness, marked weakness, fever, or respiratory problems, the veterinary team will likely decide to postpone surgery or recommend care at another location, for safety reasons.
In the case of females, it is specified that they must not be neither during heat nor during pregnancyIntervening during these phases considerably increases the risk of complications, so the campaign protocol expressly prohibits it as a protective measure.
Another mandatory requirement is fasting: animals must arrive with three hours without drinking liquids and eight hours without solid food before the procedure. This point is key to avoiding vomiting and problems during anesthesia, which is why the staff on duty insist so much that it is followed to the letter.
Documentation and items that caregivers must carry
On the day scheduled for surgery, those responsible must go to the point of care with all the documentation and necessary elementssince the absence of any of them may cause rescheduling or prevent the animal from being operated on the scheduled date.
Regarding paperwork, the following is required: previously assigned shift (printed or in digital format), a photocopy of the responsible party's national identity card and a recent public utility bill, no more than two months old, that proves residence in the strata benefited by the program.
For the transfer, clear rules are established: Cats must arrive in a carrier.Dogs must be on a leash and collar. For breeds requiring special handling or animals with unpredictable behavior, a muzzle is also required to prevent incidents with staff or other visitors.
In addition, caregivers are asked to wear a blanket and an Elizabethan collar (also known as a cone or bell). These elements are essential for the animal to recover more comfortably and to prevent it from licking or biting the surgical wound during the first few hours after surgery.
The Institute recommends arriving a little before the scheduled time, following the veterinary team's instructions at all times, and remaining in the area until authorized to leave. After the sterilization, a brief explanation is given about basic postoperative caresuch as wound management, medication administration, and observation for warning signs.
Why sterilization is so important for the city
Beyond the benefit to each individual animal, IDPYBA insists that sterilization has a direct impact on the animal welfare management in urban environmentsIn a city like Bogotá, where the presence of stray dogs and cats remains a challenge, controlling their reproduction is an essential piece of the puzzle.
Mass campaigns like “Cut it off on time” allow for a gradual reduction in the number of unwanted litters, which translates into fewer abandonment, less suffering, and fewer conflicts associated with uncontrolled animals. They also help alleviate the burden on shelters, foster homes, and volunteer organizations.
From a medical point of view, it is worth noting that sterilization helps to prevent diseases such as uterine infections, breast tumors, and certain pathologies of the reproductive systemIn males, it can also reduce the likelihood of prostate problems and some behaviors associated with seeking females.
The District emphasizes that these events are complemented by campaigns on raising awareness about responsible pet ownershipAdoption of homeless animals and respect for all forms of life. The idea is for citizens to understand sterilization not as an imposition, but as a responsible decision that benefits both the animal and the environment.
With this new opening of 4.500 places, the city reinforces a line of work that combines free access to surgery, technical safety criteria, and ongoing educationFor dog and cat owners, this presents a clear opportunity to update the reproductive health of their animals and, at the same time, contribute to a more orderly and respectful coexistence model for the living beings that share the streets of Bogotá.
