Rescue & Rehome 100s of Street Dogs in Costa Rica

Introduction

Over the past three months, PATA has continued its critical work rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming vulnerable street dogs in Costa Rica. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have provided medical care, shelter, and love to numerous dogs in desperate need. Despite challenges, we celebrate the lives saved and the progress made. Here’s an update on our work.

New Rescues

We have taken in several new dogs facing extreme hardship:

• Harley – Found abandoned and lost, suffering from severe intestinal parasites and occasional seizures due to a past injury or illness.
• Sansa & Tessa – Returned to PATA due to a family emergency and change in circumstances.
• Starsky – Rescued from the beach, severely underweight and anemic.
• Cookie & Casper – Orphaned three-week-old puppies, found malnourished, covered in fleas and worms, and battling a skin infection.
• Daisy – Pregnant and homeless, diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis and severe anemia.
• Pepe – Left to suffer with a deep machete wound to the tail, which exposed bone and caused severe blood loss and anemia.
• Capitan – Another case of a tail injury, so infected that the bone was exposed, requiring emergency amputation to save his life.
• Luna – Discovered limping on three legs due to an old shoulder injury; currently undergoing X-rays to assess treatment options.
• Nacho – Abandoned at a bus stop for three days, suffering from severe skin infections, fur loss, tick fever, and anemia.

Adoptions & Fosters

We are thrilled to report that several of our rescued dogs have found loving homes:

Adopted:
Khy and her four puppies, Sol, Padma, Megan, Tina, Neo, Angelo (adopted in Canada), Starsky, Cookie, and Casper.

Fostered:
Tessa, Daisy, Baloo, Luna, and Rico have gone into foster care, receiving the love and attention they need while awaiting their forever homes.

Medical Care & Veterinary Services

Our commitment to medical care remains unwavering. We provided veterinary attention to several dogs, including:

• Danger – Diagnosed with advanced heartworm and tick fever, but despite treatment, his condition was too severe, and we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him to rest.
• Norte – Treated for Ehrlichiosis and anemia.
• Chispa – Treated for a painful skin infection.
• Golfi – A puppy suffering from anemia and parasites, now receiving medical care.
• Dumbo – Diagnosed with a broken ankle, undergoing treatment.
• Manchis – A pregnant dog who underwent a spay/abort operation and was treated for Ehrlichiosis.
• Aysha – A malnourished mother with seven puppies, all treated for parasites, fleas, and skin infections.

Expenses & Financial Report

With your generous support, we have managed to cover the following essential expenses:

• Veterinary Services: $1,221
• Medications: $710
• Food: $876
• Shelter Rent: $2,055
• Electricity: $290
• Fuel & Transport: $605

Total Number of Dogs in Our Care: 20

Challenges & Emergencies

While we have made significant strides, we have faced serious challenges, including:

• PATA’s Rescue Vehicle Breakdown: Our car (a previous donation from a volunteer), essential for rescues and veterinary visits, suffered severe engine damage due to overheating.
• Capitan’s Emergency Surgery: His infection was so severe that an urgent amputation was required to save his life.

Positive Highlights

• Volunteer Support: We welcomed three dedicated volunteers who lived in our accommodation and assisted with dog care, socialisation, and administrative work.
• Successful Adoptions: Several dogs have found loving homes both locally and internationally, ensuring a better future for them.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of rescuing and rehabilitating street dogs. However, we need your support to cover ongoing medical expenses, food, shelter, and transport.

How You Can Help: Little by Little Campaign

We are excited to participate in the Little by Little campaign, a special initiative where small donations go a long way! During this campaign, every contribution under $50 will be matched by 50%, making your support even more impactful. Whether you can give a little or a lot, every donation helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more dogs in need. Make sure to follow us on social media to check our progress!

Thank You

We are incredibly grateful for our donors, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible. Your kindness and generosity ensure that PATA can continue providing lifesaving care to dogs in desperate situations. Thank you for being part of the PATA family and for helping us give abandoned dogs a chance at a better life.

With gratitude,
The PATA Team

Pata Samara Animal Rescue: Three-Month Impact Report

Overview

Over the past three months, Pata has been actively rescuing and caring for street dogs in Costa Rica, providing critical medical attention, food, shelter, and love. 

Your support has enabled us to take in numerous abandoned, injured, and sick dogs, many of whom would not have survived without intervention. 

Here’s an update on our latest rescues, adoptions, veterinary needs, and developments.

New Rescues

Thanks to the vigilance of our volunteers and community members, we have rescued and cared for many dogs in need:

Merrill and her 5-week-old puppies: Found on a building site, all malnourished and with skin infections.

Megan: Rescued from the street while in heat and possibly pregnant; treated for tick fever, anemia, and intestinal worms.

Tina & Baloo: Rescued from a neglectful owner, both suffered from tick fever, anemia, and infections.

Lucero: Abandoned on the street, with severe ehrlichiosis and internal bleeding. Despite our efforts, he tragically passed away.

Puppy Nicky: Found by tourists, malnourished with parasites and a fungal infection.

Gypsy: Fearful of humans, required 11 days to capture. Suffering from anemia and parasites.

Lady: Severely sick and blind; diagnosed with skin cancer, uveitis, and anemia.

Billy Bob, Rico, Khy, Sol, and puppies: Each rescued with various illnesses, from anemia to parasitic infections. Khy gave birth to 7 puppies, with 4 healthy ones now thriving.

Adoptions

With the help of our network, these dogs have found forever homes:

Campeon : We’re thrilled to share that Campeón has found a loving forever home after nearly a year with us. 

Jazz and Fawn: Adopted in Canada.

Merrill and her 5 puppies, Sansa, Tessa, Matty, Flora, Campeon: Successfully rehomed to caring families.

Foster Care

Several rescues are currently in foster care, receiving treatment and rehabilitation:

Megan, Tina, Gypsy, Khy, Sol, and Khy’s remaining puppies.

PATA Assists

In addition to rescues, we provided critical assistance to other dogs in need within our community. Veterinary care is expensive and some local families love their dogs, but just cannot afford to give them treatments when needed, so we step in to help:

Isa and Neguus: Treated for uveitis related to ehrlichiosis.

Negro and Tyson: Received care for abscesses and anemia.

Lluvia: A female dog shot twice and miraculously surviving. While surgery was too risky, her recovery is underway.

Honey: Spayed to prevent pregnancy.

Emergency

Lluvia’s X-rays: Transported to a facility 50 minutes away for X-Rays as no equipment available in town. 

Financial Overview:

Thanks to very kind donations, we’ve been able to cover the following essential expenses:

Vet Services: $1,034

Medication: $682

Food: $809

Rent: $2,055

Utilities: $280

Petrol: $575

Current Dogs in Care: 20

Positive News! 

New Online Shop: Supporters can now purchase items, with proceeds going to Pata’s mission.Please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/PATAAnimalRescue if you are interested! 

Live-In Volunteer Facility: Completed, enabling us to accommodate volunteers on-site.

Thank You

None of this would be possible without your incredible support. Each donation is a lifeline for these animals, ensuring they receive the medical care, nutrition, and love they deserve. We’re excited to continue our mission with your help and look forward to updating you on the positive changes your contributions make.

We Can’t Do This Alone

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we ask you to consider making a donation to help us meet the growing demand for emergency veterinary care. Your generosity allows us to continue saving lives and making a lasting difference for both animals and their communities. Together, let’s ensure that every pet has a chance at a healthy, happy future.

Thank you for your support and compassion—every contribution, big or small, helps us change lives one pet and one person at a time.

Sally & Emma x

Pata Samara Animal Rescue

Links:

• https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/rescue-street-dogs-costa-rica/