(Scooby, seen in the foreground, was abused by multiple owners.)
Vaca was left at a high school, where students killed her puppies. Manolo, suffering from mange, ticks, ehrlichia and heartworm, was found on the streets after being hit by a car.
These dogs are actually the lucky ones. Now up for adoption through the organization Help Mexican Dogs, they have a chance at finding permanent, caring owners.
All countries face issues with stray animals, but the problem in Mexico seems particularly severe. The bad economy has amplified pre-existing issues, especially in places like Cancun.
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Consider Wilson's story. According to a story in the Edmonton Journal, the dog was found bobbing in the waters off Cancun. His ears and stomach were full of salt water. It's thought that he had been in the water for days.
Writer Jamie Hall explained that "when fishermen in the port towns come in with their catch, the dogs sneak onto the boats to scavenge for fish guts and whatever else they can find. Sometimes they’re still hiding on the boats when the fishermen put out to sea again, and, when they’re discovered, are simply tossed over the side."
Wilson was likely one such unfortunate dog. But his luck changed when he was pulled to shore. After sleeping, for nearly a week, he was put up for adoption through WHARF, the Whitecourt Homeless Animal Rescue Foundation. Jannet Talbott was touched by Wilson's story and adopted him.
During his first veterinarian visit, the staff were shocked. The 10-pound Pomeranian/golden retriever mixed breed had nails so long that they'd grown under his feet. His dew claws had grown into his hind legs. Wilson, estimated to be around 8 years old, also suffered from an eye infection that was so severe, the eye had to be removed. A laundry list of medical problems plagued the canine, but have since been treated with medications.
His latest surgery was to remove some abscessed teeth. He also had his ears flushed out.
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“Now we’re starting with a clean slate,” Talbott told Hall. “For the first time, likely in his life, he is pain free. I’m already seeing a difference, even though he still has stitches in his mouth."
“My heart gets bigger every day because of him. I have so much respect for his courage, and his will to live. I made him a promise: You will have the life every day that every animal deserves; you will receive love on a daily basis.”
Ricardo Pimentel and his family, who run Help Mexican Dogs, are all too familiar with stories like Wilson's, often minus the happy ending.
(Elmer, another dog from Mexico who is up for adoption now)
As he said, "The situation with dogs in Cancun, Mexico, is terrible by all means. Every day you can see hundreds of dogs wandering on the streets. The heat makes the stray dogs' life even harder. The poor culture of spaying and neutering throughout Cancun's population of pet owners has increased the numbers of dogs on the streets."
Every week, Pimentel and his family pick up hurt, abandoned, sick, abused, beaten and wandering dogs from the streets or others just left alone at houses. They also pick up dogs from the local animal shelter.
There are more homeless dogs than potential, appropriate owners in Cancun, so many of the animals are sent to Canada or the U.S. for adoption. Wilson was one such very lucky individual.
The Pimentels' organization, WHARF, and others all need donations of money and necessities, so even if you cannot adopt one of their dogs now, please consider giving these hardworking rescuers a boost with your support.
(Credit for all images: Help Mexican Dogs.)
Tags: Animal Behavior, Animals, Dogs, Human Behavior, Humans
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