Gringo go home – Lighthouse Animal Rescue

[meganmcgees]

Today was spay/neuter day at Lighthouse Animal Rescue in Atenas. Frances set up the vet for the low cost procedures, provided the operating and recovery space, provided the drugs, got the word out, printed up flyers, friends came to help and Ticos and Gringos alike brought their dogs.

All was going well, until one of the gringos who brought two street dogs to be spayed, informed everyone after the procedures were done they would not take them back. Excuse after excuse was given, the house needed cleaning, they had no transportation, they had people coming, they were going away, they were leaving in a month, there was just no way they could even keep the dogs to recuperate overnight. Suggestions and ideas were offered, but the person would not listen and found an excuse for everything.

When Frances said she was full (understatement of the year), the gringo begrudgingly took the dogs, but an hour later called and said they were bringing them back and blamed Frances because she told the person they could bring the dogs to the clinic. They basically dumped the dogs and drove off, just like the person who originally dumped them.

Of course, nothing was said to Frances and Bruce beforehand that they were supposed to keep the dogs at Lighthouse Animal Rescue. The gringo had asked Frances earlier in the week and Frances had told them they were full. There were currently 21 dogs, one kitten and one random, needy human at Lighthouse Animal Rescue. There are now 23 dogs, plus the kitten and the human – 2 of the dogs are puppies, one was hit by a car and has needed extensive veterinary and specialized care and now the two new street dogs.

Just because someone comes to Costa Rica and spays or neuters a dog does not mean they have done a good deed, especially if they do not even pay for the cost of the spay and especially if they dump the dog afterwards. The gringo the money gave Frances did not even cover the cost of the operations, let alone help cover the cost of food and aftercare. These are types of gringos Costa Rica could really do without.

Bruce and Frances run Lighthouse Animal Rescue mostly out of their own pockets. They are out of room. They need help desperately.

If you can help in any way – by fostering a dog or by making a donation, please contact Lighthouse Animal Rescue, Atenas, Costa Rica at mrbudbud@gmail.com or 506-011-2446-0434

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