Paws for Change: Unveiling Our Lifesaving Programs
In three countries, across two languages, a tapestry of compassion unfolds through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. From the clinical team to the intake crew, training specialists to those facilitating transportation, and every individual working behind the scenes—each plays a crucial role in weaving the fabric of hope for abandoned dogs.
Our adoptable canine companions find solace in the homes of their rescuers, or “rescatistas” in Spanish. These unsung heroes nurture these dogs through injuries, illnesses, and the scars of street life. The journey from a mangy street dweller to a sweet, furry friend ready for adoption is monumental. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, sometimes heartbreaking, as our team invests months, and for some, a year or more, in rehabilitating a rescue dog. Yet, with each bittersweet goodbye, they embark on a new mission to save another soul.
Our support extends beyond the immediate rescue. We stand beside rescatistas, providing food, veterinary care, and aiding in finding loving homes. The journey doesn’t end with adoption; it’s a cycle of compassion as rescatistas continue their mission, rescuing, rehabilitating, and repeating the process.
Rescatistas are more than caretakers; they are educators, setting an example for friends, neighbors, and family on proper dog care and the importance of sterilization. They recruit new rescatistas, creating a ripple effect of positive change in the treatment of animals in La Paz.
Below, discover the heartbeat of our mission—programs designed to uplift and support rescatistas, because real change starts with every rescued paw.
Adoption Program
Every time a dog is adopted, it makes room to take in another dog off the street. Adoptions are the life of our organization and are vitally important. If you love animals and would like to help us match our dogs to an adoptive home, we would love the help. Write to us at volunteer@hope4lapawz.org or complete a volunteer application.
Transportation Program
Most dogs are adopted to the US or Canada and are often driven from La Paz to San Diego where they fly via Alaska Air Cargo to their destination city. If you are in the San Diego, Seattle, or Portland areas and would like to help us at the airport, please contact us at volunteer@hope4lapawz.org or complete a volunteer application.
Wellness Clinic
In addition to hands-on assistance with the dogs, our clinic team also keeps detailed records about each dog’s care. If you would like to volunteer to help us with this important program from wherever you are, we have a role for you! please contact us at volunteer@hope4lapawz.org or complete a volunteer application.
Food Program
Our food program feeds an average of 70 dogs a month. Dog food in Mexico is taxable at the national sales tax rate of 16% so it is very expensive and in most cases, far more expensive than the US. This had been our largest expense, but by switching to a local vendor, Biosedes, we support the local economy and get better prices!
We can always use volunteer assistance and many tasks can be performed from wherever you are. Check out our volunteer page — or send us an email to volunteer@hope4lapawz.org.