Las Animas Dog Rescue Offers Volunteers Free Stay in Puerta Vallarta Barbara Sherman - Regal Courier
go to original October 2, 2016

A volunteer cuddles a rescue dog at the Las Animas Dog Rescue Association outside Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

Most people go to Puerto Vallarta to soak up some sun, swim in the surf and experience Mexican culture. But another option has come up for animal lovers who want to vacation there.

King City residents Malka Sekey and her husband Steve Oseas have vacationed in Puerto Vallarta for the past seven or eight years, and on one visit they befriended a street dog they named Lupita, giving the old dog food and water.

In taking care of Lupita and wondering what would happen to her after they left, they met Brischa and Ted Borchgrevink, who started a dog rescue organization in 2012 in the mountains above Puerto Vallarta called Las Animas Dog Rescue Association (LADRA means “bark” in Spanish).

The Borchgrevinks came up with a plan to ensure that they always have plenty of volunteers to help with their dozens of rescue dogs: offering free room and board at Hacienda Las Animas during the time the volunteers spend there.

“They built a bed and breakfast and only take people who love animals,” Sekey said. “They need volunteers and also donors to sponsor dogs. I paid monthly for Lupita’s care after we left, and she died six months later. We continue to pay monthly to support the organization.

“People stay there from all different countries and can stay two or three months or six months at the B & B ‘ranch.’ Many from the U.S. are from Oregon.”

A volunteer dog walker tends to four well-behaved rescue dogs at Las Animas Dog Rescue Association.

At the end of August, Brischa sent Sekey an email with updates on all the dogs, who are provided with medical care, good nutrition and rehabilitation along with lots of TLC. At that time, the couple had about 35 dogs and while they were finding adoptive homes for them, including flying them to “fur-ever” homes in other countries, more keep coming in.

Brischa emailed Sekey photos of some of the dogs, which Sekey called “an amazing collection of rescues that are needing homes.” She added, “Brischa and Ted always need good volunteers to carry out their rescue missions, and their success speaks for itself.”

The Borchgrevinks, along with their Doberman, moved to Puerto Vallarta from Norway in 2004. Shortly after their arrival, they rescued their first dog, Tobias, who was abandoned on a roof and had been covered with hot oil, according to their website.

They added, “Our portfolio of animals has even expanded to include goats, horses, ducks and chickens.”

They are strong supporters of PEACE Animals, a non-profit organization that provides free sterilization clinics in and around Puerto Vallarta.

People can donate to LADRA through PayPal, which pays for food, vaccinations and veterinary bills plus maintenance of the facility, plus LADRA is always in need of donations of collars, leashes dog crates and other items.

LADRA also needs “guardian angels” to escort its rescues on airplane rides to their fur-ever homes

For more information, visit Las Animas Dog Rescue or see them on Facebook.

Read the original at Regal Courier.
 

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