OUR mission

Welcome to El Proyecto Pancho! The Pancho Project is an effort to bring veterinary care, such as vaccines, spay/neuter and basic and critical medical care along with community education to the people and dogs of San Pedro Itzicán and Mezcala, Jalisco Mexico.

why mezcala & san Pedro?

Why Mezcala and San Pedro? Mezcala is a very small, indigenous village located on Lake Chapala about an hour outside of Guadalajara. The town has just over 6,000 residents and no veterinary services. San Pedro is located just east of Mezcala a few miles down the road and is about the same size. The pets and people of these villages touched our hearts when we started visiting it several years ago during our trips to transport dogs back to the US and then in 2020 our Executive Director adopted Pancho, who was found alongside the road between the two towns at death’s door. Pancho went on to lead a happy life but this story isn’t the same for most. The dogs here suffer from mange, dirty water, disease and overpopulation. Without veterinary care, their future is not bright, but we aim to change this by providing these much needed services. Pancho has since passed, but his incredible spirit will live on in our mission to better the lives of the animals who live in these areas.

At our annual spay neuter campaign we offer a “dispensa;” a ration of beans, rice and/or oil to the residents to help encourage them to utilize our services - exchange the care we provide for basic pantry staples. This approach shows a respect for culture and helps build trust. Each dispensa costs approximately $10 USD to purchase the items and bags to distribute them in.

Healthcare events require veterinarians and skilled assistants to administer vaccines, microchips, mange treatment and wellness exams. Life saving vaccines and other medicine needs to be purchased in order to dispense to both owned and unowned dogs and cats.

This requires everything from tables and tents to all of the necessary medical supplies needed, such as sutures, gauze, bandages, medicine, vaccines, mange treatment etc. it costs approximately $1,000 USD to put on this clinic. All of the doctors, technicians and support folks volunteer their time and those traveling to Mexico from the U.S., pay their own way.

Some of the dogs and cats in this area are living with extreme injury and/or disease that makes their daily existence inhumane. By donating to this fund, your money will help treat these critical care situations that can literally change or save a dogs life and relieve them from incredible discomfort and pain. Examples include broken/dislocated limbs, open/infected wounds, infection, etc.