23/11/2024
Let me start off by saying - If I had the ability to fix everyone’s pets that needed it, I would! But at our spay clinics we do heavily try to prioritize by need and I hope this post will help you understand why.
Lately it seems the purpose behind my free and low cost spay & neuter clinics has gotten away from people. I have been receiving a lot of inquiries for free spays from people who do not qualify. These clinics are not offered to replace a lack of access to vets - as there are MANY vets in the country who offer spay/neuter services daily from their clinics and we are happy to guide you in the right direction!
So I feel a visual reminder of who I work so hard to offer these clinics for will help. These clinics are aimed towards homeless animals and low income Dominican or Haitian owners who can’t afford to pay a vet service.
The amount of spots we are able to offer are few compared to the overall dire need. Therefore we must decline people, keep a waitlist and prioritize high risk, low income owned pets & street animals.
Over my years of outreach and clinics I have taken these photos. I have been posting less content lately as my page continues to grow and these are lovely members of our communities and their private life that I wish to respect, but from time to time it is important to show another side of our community and why we work so hard to help.
Regularly I have people approach me and talk to me like there is no need, that all the animals living in the streets are thriving. However that may be true for a percentage, it is not true for the majority. In the Dominican Republic there is an extreme overpopulation of dogs & cats. Many of which are homeless, face starvation, abuse, disease and more. As much as we help with rescue, rehabilitation and adoption there are not enough loving homes for all the homeless animals.
Living in the tourist side of Cabarete we may see a handful of dogs thriving on the beach and popular hang out spots. And yes, those dogs are thriving and living life to the fullest. But behind the scenes there are thousands of others that are not thriving and need our help. Every day people are trying to rehome or get rid of their dogs or unwanted litters and these animals tend to end up dumped on the streets, reproducing.
This is a very real reality for a lot of animals in our community. If your life keeps you on the beach, most tourists and immigrants may never see this side. So of course, it feels like it doesn’t hurts to ask for a spot at a clinic - however please know if I decline you a spot it’s not personal, it’s because I need to offer that spot to an animal or person in more dire circumstances.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a struggling single mother of 8 children with a heart so large she takes in street dogs meanwhile she can’t afford to feed herself.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a dog living on a four foot chain outside not protected against male dogs that keep knocking her up time after time.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a female dog where being spayed allowed her to stay with her family instead of being dumped the moment she became pregnant.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a family who only earns a couple thousand pesos a month from selling coffee or candies on the beach.
Maybe that spot could have neutered a male dog and stopped his wandering before he was hit by a car while chasing after a female.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a homeless street dog who just gave birth and ate all of her puppies, not fit to be a mother but is facing the inevitable of being impregnated again soon.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a dog living 24/7 chained inside a 3’ shack that gets flooded when it rains.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a street dog who is terrified as she gets chased and harassed by all the male dogs in the area when she comes into heat.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a child’s beloved pet whose parent is threatening to kill the dog in fear of them reproducing more unwanted dogs.
Maybe that spot could have gone to an early impregnated dog whose family is crying to us that they can’t afford to have puppies.
Maybe that spot could have gone to a dog who recently gave birth to 16 puppies and will continue the cycle and so will her puppies... you do the math.
These are all real examples that we have faced time again. One spot can be life changing. So please, if we cannot accommodate you be respectful. If you can save up and afford to have your pet spayed at a vet clinic, please take on that responsibility.
It’s important to note that Alia’s Dog Training & Rescue does not have any financial sponsors or support. We rely solely on donations from kind hearted people. I myself am a passionate individual. I work very hard to create new ways to fundraise, advertise, talk with the community, host events, find volunteers, pay the vets and offer clinics when we have enough donations.
It’s not nearly as simple as saying “They should offer more free clinics”. You may hear the term “free” but everything has a cost and someone has to pay it. For us, we have to pay $50 USD per animal and register 40 animals to host a clinic at the discounted rate. So unless you’re willing to donate $2000 USD to sponsor a clinic along with your comment, it’s truly not that easy and all rescues that offer these clinics work tirelessly to make them happen!
If you want to support our clinics we are still accepting physical donations for our Pulga Fundrasier. This can be anything in clean sellable condition. Furniture, household goods, kitchenware, toys, decorations, clothing, etc.
Monetary donations can be collected in DOP, USD or EUR within Cabarete and we accept
PayPal & E-Transfer to: [email protected]
$50 USD / $70 CAD sponsors a spay!
$15 USD sponsors a full round of vaccinations!
Any amount helps!
100% of donations go directly to our spay and neuter clinics! Sterilization is the #1 thing we can do to help the animals! 🙏
