Panama has taken a historic step for animals: President José Raúl Mulino officially began the construction of the country's first Public Pet Hospital. A dream that was championed during the campaign, pushed in meetings, and today has become a real work in progress, with earth moving and a future barking. Before ministers, rescuers, foundations, volunteers, and the MIDA Canine Unit, Mulino spoke as a pet owner who has experienced the ordeal of having a sick puppy and not knowing where to take it: "Today we begin the construction of the Pet Hospital, one of my main campaign promises that is finally becoming a reality for the people." Mulino added: "Here students will integrate theory and practice, they will touch reality, save lives, and learn with love. Consultations, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and permanent sterilization… all under one roof so that lack of money is not a sentence of abandonment." He himself emphasized it to those present: "Panama does not have public infrastructure where people can care for their pets without sacrificing the food for the month." Photographers forward, earth up, and with them a small rescued pet named Tina, belonging to Mayor Mayer Mizrachi, and others, as if blessing the land that will tomorrow be a hospital. This morning, the groundbreaking ceremony took place to begin construction on the first Public Pet Hospital in Panama, which will be located in Costa Sur, Juan Díaz. The president explained that this center will open its doors in mid-2027 and will attend to dogs, cats, and any furry creature that needs help at an accessible price. The emotion was palpable as he recalled that his home has always been a haven for animals: "In my house there has been everything: goats, chickens, horses, dogs, cats… anything that walks and is not human has slept there. That changes from today." This hospital will also be a school, a living laboratory where veterinary students can learn with real cases and modern tools. A seedbed for specialists, but also for humanity. Then came the historic moment: the groundbreaking. It will have an investment of 14.2 million dollars, will provide services…
