Puerto Vallarta, México – There are many Americans and Canadians who spend part or all of their winter escaping the cold and enjoying this enchanting and beautiful country. Mexico is a land of friendly people, incredible scenery, exciting adventures and delicious food. From tourists to ex-pats to retirees, people flock to this welcoming country not only to flee the winter weather in the North, but to experience its fascinating and friendly culture.
One of the passions of many who enjoy their Mexico experience is animal rescue. There are proactive groups of both English and Spanish speaking animal lovers, who are committed to finding loving homes for stray cats and dogs and improving the lives of animals here in our adoptive country. An important component of the rescue effort is the commitment to offer Sterilization Clinics to control the pet population as well as facilitating animal adoptions.
There has been a noticeable improvement in the health and welfare of the animals over the past 20 plus years in Mexico. Back then it was far more common to see starving, neglected animals in the streets. There has also been a noticeable shift in attitude toward the pet population, with the local population including their cats and dogs as members of their families and lavishing affection and care on these beloved pets.
That being said, there is still a need for animal rescue and animal adoption in Mexico. Over the years, my partner and I have rescued a number of cats and dogs who we adopted or found loving homes for. This has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of our time here and has even helped forge new friendships with both the locals and foreigners.
A couple of years ago, we saw a very frail, under-weight kitten on a sidewalk in our coastal town of La Penita (north of PV) After checking with some local businesses who confirmed that the kitty had been abandoned, we scooped up the cat and nursed him back to health.
When we had to head home at the end of the season, we left Nacho in the care of our Mexican neighbors who then decided to adopt him. This year Nacho gained a sister, when we adopted another stray in our neighborhood. Bella showed up on our doorstep and never left. We had her sterilized and she and Nacho are the best of friends and inseparable! Over the years, these adopted and fostered pets have been an important part of our wonderful experience here.
If you would like to help with animal rescue efforts, there are a number of non-profit agencies that you can donate to and/or volunteer your time.
The Sula Society of Puerto Vallarta is a nonprofit dog rescue started and run by a mother and daughter from England. Barbara and Lisa work tirelessly rescuing dogs that no one wants. Our rescue dogs have a chance at starting their new leash on life.
Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals provides good food, vet care, compassion, comfort and love for the stray dogs and cats housed in the municipally run shelter of Puerto Vallarta.
Since June 2017, the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Animal Shelter has opened its doors to 1,331 dogs and 583 cats – each with a story of resilience and hope. Some are abandoned, their fate uncertain. Others are rescued by the Green Patrol, escaping abuse and neglect. Many arrive injured and frightened, found wandering the streets. There are many dogs at the shelter looking for a loving home. Donate your time and befriend some of these lovely animals. Click here to see some of the dogs up for adoption.
SPCA Puerto Vallarta is a shelter-based group focused on the rescue, medical care, rehabilitation and ultimate adoption of companion animals.
At the Teca Vallarta animal shelter their mission is to provide a sanctuary where every dog embraces freedom, safety, nutritious food, and unconditional love while waiting for new and loving homes to be found. Their emphasis is on adoption, education, and outreach to the community on the importance of responsible pet ownership.
More animal rescue organizations include: Peace Animals, Ladra Rescue, Sayulitanimals, NoBars Rescue, Paraiso Felino, and the Salty Dog Rescue Brigade. Descriptions of these organizations and contact info can be found on the Banderas Bay Charities website. These organizations provide free spay and neuter services, fostering, adoption, and medical aid for strays with a focus on basic care, shelter, community education and medical.
PuRR Project is a Non-Profit shelter in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that provides homeless cats and kittens a recuperative stay with the ultimate goal to adopt them out to loving homes sterilized, vaccinated and disease free.
Paws and Claws Puerto Vallarta is dedicated to ensuring that dogs and cats in the Puerto Vallarta area of Mexico lead a life free from the pain and suffering of abandonment and neglect. They achieve this by financially supporting the numerous small local rescuers who have a big hearts but limited financial means. Every dollar donated is used to improve the lives of rescued cats and dogs in the Puerto Vallarta area.
Wet Noses Rescue in Sayulita rehabilitates and provides a safe space for as many seriously at-risk animals as possible while offering resources and educational opportunities to the community. They rehabilitate and provide a safe space for as many sick, abandoned, neglected, and abused animals as their funding and resources allow, with the goal of finding each animal a loving and safe home. They also reduce the population of animals in the community through spay/neuter clinics, reduce the prevalence of serious, community-wide diseases such as Parvo and Distemper by providing vaccinations, and offer educational opportunities.
In La Penita (1 1/2 hrs North of Puerto Vallarta) Jaltemba Bay Animal Resources (also known as JBAR) provides free sterilization, animal care, adoption, feeding stations, community education and fundraising.
Also in La Penita, Hilltop Refugio (otherwise known as J.E.E.P.) is managed by George and Loretta who wake with the sun and make their way to the Refugio, where up to 80 animals are waiting. Hours of feeding, watering, socializing, attention, specialty care, and facility improvements begin. Seasonal help comes in waves, bringing added excitement and fulfillment for George, Loretta, their local family, and of course, the animals.
Many of these animal rescue and resource organizations are tax deductible, non-profits and also provide volunteer opportunities and “flight angel” opportunities. Many of the rescues are placed in the USA and Canada and rely on partnerships with tourists. The organizations handle everything with the airline, and meet you at the airport. They’ve got your back every step of the way. Sign up to be a flight angel.
So many good-hearted people have helped with these rescue efforts which has made an incredible difference in the quality of life for so many cats and dogs in Mexico. Will you find a way to help keep this going? We can make a difference if we care!