Costa Rica Cats & Dogs – McKee Project Animal Rescue

The McKee Project Costa Rica is doing incredible work in the Central Pacific area of Jaco and the surrounding communities. The Foundation is primarily an animal rescue organization which takes dogs and cats off the streets and assists in finding them homes.

They are a non-profit organization relying primarily on donations from helpful supporters here in Costa Rica as well as the United States and friends in other countries as well.

The Foundation was begun in Arizona by Kristine Crawford. McKee is a registered non-profit in the United States for those wishing to help with donations, the donations are tax deductible. The McKee Project in Jaco is run by Katja Bader and a host of volunteers.

It has been in operation since June of 2003. In that time they have assisted in the spay and neuter procedure for well over 1,100 dogs and cats.

The Foundation will spay or neuter an animal that is rescued, give them their standard shots, and nurse them back to health if required. By doing this they are able to present a healthy animal for adoption to a loving home. People can adopt an animal from Mckee at no cost, although donations are greatly appreciated.

The Foundation is working hand in hand with the Costa Rican Veterinary Licensing Board & Association. Part of their mission statement on their website says the following:

“In Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Veterinary Licensing Board & Association (CMV-Colegio), has incorporated the McKee Project into its operating programs. The Colegio has taken McKee to the Costa Rican people in the form of community veterinarian participation (donated spay and neuter procedures), and works to obtain municipal donations of land for animal centers (combined centers of animal care, community awareness, education and adoption), and provides materials for school educational programs. In a humane way, the mutual goal is to control and prevent an increase in the hundreds of thousands of street animals, and give each animal a better home in the community.”

We personally adopted a puppy from Mckee in March of this year. Our little puppy Lido doesn’t fit in his water bowl any more, but definitely fits into our family.

Mckee sponsored a spay and neuter clinic in the town of Esterillos Oeste this past year. Turning the local school into a temporary clinic, they were able to spay and neuter dozens of local animals and offer educational materials on animal care to many local residents. Many people in the community stepped forward offering to sponsor the cost of the procedure for families in the community that could not afford it.

Mckee Jaco has been working the last couple of years raising the required funds and recently was able to open their own veterinarian clinic in Jaco – Asociacion Pro Bienestar Animal Jaco Clinica Veterinaria where they offer a full array of services including emergency care.

The clinics’ veterinarian is Dr. Victor Quesada. Dr. Quesada says that he knew he wanted to be a veterinarian when he was only 5 years old. He attended 6 years of school at the National University in Heredia starting when he was 21 years old.

The clinic has both paid and volunteer staff that put in numerous hours to help make it a success. The clinic has a complete stock of pet care products to fit the needs of any family and their loving companions.

Mckee is truly making a difference in the lives of both the animals and people that they touch. It clearly shows what can happen when people make a choice to get involved.

Animal Lovers Can Help:

Should you wish to help the McKee Project by making a tax deductible donation please visit the McKee website here:

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.