Baja Dogs La Paz...For the love of dogs

Baja Dogs La Paz Inc. (BDLP) has been a household name around La Paz for close to 10 years now. It is a registered California non-profit 501(c)(3) that started out supporting the Refugio of the same name in El Centenario.

Since Refugio closed its doors, BDLP moved to a Foster based model. The Mexican rescatistas have been rescuing dogs in their communities for a long time and they are very good at it. These dog lovers rescue some of the worst of the worst off the street. They get medical care for the dogs and take them into their home while they recuperate, socialize and prepare for adoption.

We support these individuals financially with food and medical costs as our funds allow. But mostly we help them broaden the scope of their efforts to get their dogs adopted both locally and in the US or Canada. We accomplish this through our network of volunteers and our generous donors.

This Foster model (http://bajadogslapaz.org/rescatistas-rescuers-of-la-paz/ ) ultimately leads to happier, healthier and more socialized dogs. That makes the dogs more adoptable...and translates to shorter stays in foster care.

I will share a short story of Rosie who is our latest example of a successful rescue, foster and adoption.

Rosie was found in the La Posada area of La Paz. She was around eight weeks when she was found wandering around on the beach all alone with a severe case of Demodectic mange and dehydration. 

Rose is a Chihuahua mix so she could have easily succumbed to her condition if someone had not stepped in. Thankfully one of our volunteers found her and brought her to the vet. She had the normal flea treatment, bath and started on her shots to treat the mange.

Unfortunately, this volunteer couldn't keep Rosie herself so she put out the call for someone to take in little Rosie during her recuperation. Another team member stepped in to take on the twice weekly baths, house training and socialization Rosie needed to get her ready for adoption.

Rosie lost most of her hair due to the mange but in the short time she was in foster care her hair grew back and she went from pink skin to strawberry blonde fur. She was socialized with people as well as other dogs, she learned to play with sticks and balls, she learned she needed to go outside for her business. None of these things are easily learned in a shelter environment.

While still getting treatments, she was posted on the BDLP website for adoption. There was  a number of inquiries both locally and north. We are busy sorting through the families to make sure we get one that is the right fit for Rose.

In a short six weeks Rosie went from abandoned and alone with few prospects for a happy life to  being a healthy vibrant little dog with a bright future.

This success story was made possible through team work and dedication of the volunteers and the rescatistas. Donations are used to cover some medical bills, promote sterilization clinics in the communities and transportation of dogs to their new families.

As a US Non-Profit, we issue Tax receipts to all American donors.  We take our fiduciary duty seriously. You will find our 2015 Financial Summary (http://bajadogslapaz.org/financials-2015/ ) on our website. Please consider us when making your Charitable giving decisions. (http://bajadogslapaz.org/#donate )  

As Rosie's story illustrates, the Foster model is working. If you have rescued a dog that you are fostering and would like some help getting it adopted please fill in our Intake form here (http://bajadogslapaz.org/online-applications-and-forms/ ).

BDLP has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the community. We are always looking for more volunteers (http://bajadogslapaz.org/volunteer-2/ ) who share our vision and more generous dog lovers to donate (http://bajadogslapaz.org/#donate ) to our cause.

The thing we never need to look for...are more dogs to rescue. They always find us.

Irene Phillips
Communications
Baja Dogs La Paz Inc.