The Animal Rescue Association is in a critical economic situation, having debts that amount to eight million colones and 60 dogs that have not been adopted.
Leticia Méndez, a volunteer, explained that when they rescue an animal they have to assume costs of medication, neutering and even surgeries to save its life. However, income from donations is not paying and they owe the four veterinarians who help them by charging less.
The surgeries are very expensive and we cannot leave them to their fate when they need one. We pay a month after and we have everything inscribed, with accounting and we can show the people how much is paid and what is done with the money that they donate. We pay about a million and a half a month per veterinarian and we have reached the point when we cannot rescue more animals until we pay and at least 40 dogs get adopted,”
explained Méndez.
Animal Rescue does not have facilities, so they survive thanks to people who provide “crib houses” for dogs or paying in special hotels for them, while the animals are adopted.
Adoptions have dropped significantly since the Animal Welfare Act came into effect, because people do not want “compromises” or ask for small dogs, preferabily puppies, that do not shed much and if possible, with pedigree.
People are abandoning more animals for fear of going to jail.”
The rescues are suspended until most of the animals they have get adopted. Therefore, they are calling people to join the cause. If you cannot adopt, at least donate and help pay the debt.
We have cookies in some supermarkets that cost 1,500 colones and are part of the income, and there are companies that make anonymous donations, but it is not enough for all the expenses we have,”
said the volunteer.
Every 15 days there are adoption fairs in different places and the only requirements are:
-That the house where the animal will be is closed so that it cannot escape, and there is no need to have it on a leash.
-The commitment to take it out for a walk and give it lots of love.
If you want to support the cause, you can send a message to Rescate Animal’s Facebook.