May 4-8, 2025
Immerse yourself in the warm, relaxed culture of Bolivia, experiencing first-hand the tireless work of the HSI/Latin America veterinary training teams. Located in the highest capital city in the world, you’ll experience the love that Bolivians have for their beloved four-legged companions, while also observing veterinary professionals from across Latin America being intensively trained in cutting edge, high-quality spay/neuter surgical protocols. On this unique Humane Journeys trip, you will visit two surgical training clinics where HSI teams provide access to veterinary care for some of La Paz’s most under resourced communities, where pet owners fill the rooms to capacity every day seeking quality care for their pets.
Before the trip culminates in two clinic days, you will acclimatize to the extreme altitude in well-appointed accommodations at Casa Grande Hotel with ample opportunity to enjoy the spa, pool, local markets and the gastronomic delight of Restaurant Gustu, a Top 50 Latin American Restaurant. On this trip, you also will delight in panoramic views while traversing the world’s highest altitude city on their one-of-a-kind cable car system.
Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is for informational purposes only. Additional scheduling details will be provided to all registered guests in advance of each trip.
- Day 1: Arrival in La Paz (most international arrivals from the U.S. are around 1-4 a.m.), spend the rest of the day at your leisure and to acclimatize.
- Day 2: Day at your leisure and to acclimatize, enjoy spa, pool, local shopping or take an optional half day Tiwanaku Ruins Tour with the group.
- Day 3: Visit San Antonio training clinic and stroll the markets of La Paz’s city center.
- Day 4: Visit El Alto clinic, and be part of a humane approach to working with animals and their owners by observing safe, effective and efficient spay/neuter procedures and participating in local humane education.
- Day 5: Departures out of La Paz. If you would like to consider a personal extension in the area, we would be delighted to offer recommendations.
Program background
Bolivia has one of the highest rates of human poverty in Latin America and significant companion animal welfare issues. Across Bolivia, companion animals suffer due to a lack of available veterinary care, stray animal overpopulation and rabies. Companion animals are allowed to roam unsterilized, which contributes to the birth of unwanted litters. Stray animals are subject to malnutrition, road traffic accidents and infectious diseases. There are few local animal welfare NGOs in existence in the country, none of which are involved in dog/cat population management. Further complicating matters is the fact that Bolivian veterinarians are graduating with little competence in small animal medicine and surgery. Bolivia has 14 universities with veterinary medicine programs and most focus on livestock. In our experience, even those best known for their small animal medicine have major gaps in their approach to surgery and recognition of animals as sentient beings. Without properly trained veterinarians, animals are unnecessarily subjected to immense pain, suffering and even death through “well intentioned” spay/neuter clinics. As more local governments strive to humanely manage their dog and cat populations through spay/neuter initiatives, veterinary training has become even more critical to ensuring animal welfare.
Join the team in providing essential veterinary care for companion dogs and cats in and around La Paz.
Participate in local humane education.
Learn how we are bringing veterinary care to the forefront across Latin America.
Responsible wildlife watching on Humane Journeys
Humane Journeys maintains a responsible and respectful animal-watching program. You will be accompanied by HSI program experts into areas where community dogs and cats are part of this itinerary and we will take necessary precautions to help ensure that you are safe and that our presence does not disturb them.
To reserve your spot or get more information, contact us.
Space is limited to 12 people. Participation is $4,500 for single-occupancy accommodation and $7,000 for double-occupancy accommodation. Proceeds will benefit Humane Society International’s programs in Bolivia. Your contribution less $1,500 per person is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The HSUS tax ID number is 53-0225390. Ground transportation, plant-based meals and luxury accommodations are included. International flights, alcohol, gratuities and items of a personal nature are not included.
