Our Story

Perros Santos: A Labor of Love for Dogs and Cats

by: Virginia Scirrotto

In the small town of Todos Santos, the barks and howls of dogs used to echo with the sad sound of hunger, illness, and, too often, abandonment. But thanks to the tireless work of Perros Santos, an all-volunteer organization providing monthly, free sterilization clinics for cats and dogs, Todos Santos is now hearing a more hopeful sound. It’s the sound of a community coming together to give its animals a better life.

Perros Santos has a lot to celebrate these days. As they mark their two-year anniversary, they’re also reflecting on the cumulative impact of their work. So far, Perros Santos has sterilized more than 1,700 animals, free of charge, for the local community.

The idea for Perros Santos arose when animal advocate Serena Saltzman turned to her friend Susan Fine and asked, “What do you think Todos Santos needs to do to better the quality of life for the animals?”

Susan didn’t hesitate: “Monthly sterilization clinics.”

Those three words were the seed that would grow into a powerful movement founded on the belief that real change is possible.

Today, Perros Santos is guided by a passionate volunteer leadership team: Jacki Gillespie, Julie Dandurand, Sean Washburn, Teresa Rodrigues, and Virginia Scirrotto. This team gives more than their time—they also give their hearts. Each month, they organize and execute sterilization clinics that serve dogs and cats from across the region, no pesos required.

Behind every clinic is an extraordinary village of volunteers, united in one belief: that animals deserve dignity, health, and love. These volunteers show up month after month to ensure that animals are cared for and returned safely to their owners.

That commitment is echoed in the partnerships that make each clinic possible. Cristina Madariaga helped launch the project by providing space for the clinics at La Palapa del Sabor, and now Lisa Jackson and Yera Cota have given Perros Santos a long-term home at Mercado Ranchero, which is transformed once a month into a pop-up surgical center that is clean, calm, and safe.

Perros Santos works hand in hand with Dr. Alan Ortiz and his veterinary team, whose skill and commitment to high-quality care has been demonstrated since day one.

Additionally, local businesses have stepped up in ways that continue to astonish the team. La Esquina and Taller 17 donate lunch and sweet treats for the volunteers and vet staff on clinic day, and Todos Santos Brewing hosts an annual fundraising event.

At its core, Perros Santos isn’t just about sterilizations—it’s about compassion. The impact of 1,700 sterilizations cannot be overstated. That’s thousands of unwanted litters prevented, and thousands of puppies and kittens spared from abandonment, starvation, or worse. It’s fewer dogs wandering the streets, fewer sick animals dying alone, and more families able to care for their pets with pride.

But perhaps the most powerful transformation has happened in the community itself. What was once viewed as “someone else’s problem” has become a shared responsibility. Community heroes like Gelasio Orozco and Rosa Salvatierra are always reaching out to encourage people to sterilize their pets, and they help make that possible by providing transportation to and from the clinics when needed.

This is the kind of grassroots care that helps Todos Santos thrive and that Perros Santos embodies.

Looking ahead, the team isn’t slowing down. In addition to their goal of sterilizing at least 800 dogs and cats per year, Perros Santos is developing programs for outreach to outlying areas and pet care education programs for children.

Perros Santos may have started with one simple question, but today it’s asking a bigger one: How do we build a happier and healthier life not only for our dogs and cats, but also for our community? The answer: one sterilization at a time.

Perros Santos relies on the generosity of donors to meet its annual sterilization target, which costs about $30,000 USD. To help sustain this vital service, you can make a donation through Perros Santos’ tax-exempt nonprofit partner, Life Resources Institute. Visit life-resources.org/perros-santos to learn more......and if you want to make your pets heroes you can sponsor a clinic in their honor! Contact perrossantos7@gmail.com