AHPPA Outreach Project Visits Caribbean Coast

AHPPA Outreach Project Serves the Animals of Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica
February 2010

After a long drive we finally arrived in Costa Rica’s eastern coastal town of Limon where we had an early appointment for a live broadcast at the local radio station. We had been invited to promote the AHPPA/ Outreach Project, our spay and neuter campaign, to be held in the area over a three day period.

Part of Limon’s wildlife, in addition to the ominous and circling black vultures, are the numerous mangy street dogs; we couldn’t emphasize enough to all who would listen how important it is to have a spay and neuter campaign in this part of Costa Rica.

The thirty minute radio show allowed us to share information about the advantages of having animals neutered and spayed; time was also allowed for callers to ask questions. Although the radio show was held very early in the morning, there where several callers with questions about the Outreach Project and the surgeries and services it offered.

Following the radio broadcast, we continued our trip along the Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo, an hour drive from Limon towards Panama. This laid-back, rustic beach town includes many Bob Marley look-a-likes, including some of the street dogs (or beach dogs) who too were sporting dreadlocks.

In the exhausting heat of the Caribbean we struggled our way through the 46 animals that were brought to the Outreach Project for castration. Several appreciative owners brought us cold drinks and snacks and cheered us for our work. Quad bikes (4×4 motorbikes) were used to transport the patients to and fro. Although a long and hot day, it was an energizing event due to the many local people displaying their care and love for the canine and feline population of Puerto Viejo.

Our final two days had us returning to Limon where we castrated another 48 animals in a Community Centre.  Many people understood the importance of having their pets de-wormed and vaccinated and requested these services as well.

Thanks to the big heart of Kim, the organizer of the Limon area Outreach Project, a mangy street dog was given a second chance. Seen roaming around town, this dog was finally caught after a heated two-block chase, her underbelly heavy with huge mammary, indicating the many litters she had thus far produced. This friendly creature was limping as a result of an old fracture, utilizing the affected leg as a walking stick. Kim decided she wanted to offer this poor dog a new life.

Kim is generously sponsoring this dog’s treatment and maintenance costs at the Outreach Projects home office: the Animal Shelter in San Rafael de Heredia. Here, she is now being treated for her skin problems and has been vaccinated and de-wormed. She will be spayed, as soon as her skin has healed, and available for adoption.

You can personally support AHPPA’s Outreach Project by organizing a neuter/spay project in your region by contacting us via email at: castracionescostarica@gmail.com

Or by making a donation at Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
Account name: Asoc.Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal de Costa Rica,
Account no. 100-1-040-0000431-9

Please keep informed about our upcoming projects by signing up for our monthly newsletter.

On behalf of the Animal Shelter Costa Rica,

Viktor van Marrewijk, DVM,

AHPPA Outreach Project