Puerto Vallarta SPCA Seeks Help From Albertans Annalise Klingbeil - Metro Edmonton | |
go to original November 21, 2012 |
Even though they’re from Mexico, dogs from the Puerto Vallarta SPCA love Canada's chillier temperatures and are looking to find their forever homes in Alberta.
"The dogs love it when they get here," said Stephanie Dubinsky, a volunteer with the SPCA in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
"They're safe up here. It's clean, there's no garbage. We have four seasons. They love the snow, even though they're from Mexico."
The SPCA in Puerto Vallarta is in need of Albertans to adopt their dogs and Edmontonians and Calgarians to travel from Mexico to Canada with animals who have already been adopted by Albertans.
"We don't have enough travelers to get them out of Mexico. We've got say five homes waiting in Edmonton but we've only got one passenger that will take two dogs," said Dubinsky.
The Puerto Vallarta SPCA was started by Americans and Mexicans in 2007 and is typically filled to capacity with 50 dogs, said Dubinsky.
Dubinsky said recently there's been a "huge desire" for Mexican dogs in Edmonton and Calgary, something she attributes to the number of Albertans who visit Puerto Vallarta, the sheer number of dogs that exist in the country, and the abuse many Mexican animals suffer.
"You literally walk out your door in Mexico and you'll see a stray dog," she said.
The Puerto Vallarta SPCA places animals in homes in Alberta and B.C. because they have several volunteers in Canada's west.
"Help your local shelters absolutely but don't not help us because of where the dogs are coming from," said Dubinsky.
Shawna Randolph, spokeswoman for the Edmonton Humane Society, said while Edmontonians should do their homework before adopting an animal from Mexico, the society understands the emotion and effort behind people who want to help Mexican dogs.
Randolph said while local animals are always the first priority, the Edmonton Humane Society brings in dogs from other jurisdictions, including small dogs from California through a program called the California K9 Cuties Animal Transfer Program.
"There are so many homeless animals and we always say that it's essential to make sure you're helping wherever you can," she said.
(Photo Source: Metro/Contributed)
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