Cost of Adopting Small Dogs from Mexico & California
I am only one but I am still one. I cannot do everything but I can still do something ~ Edward Everett Hale
Background of Rescued Dogs from Mexico & California
Most of Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue's little chihuahua, terrier, dachshound, and poodle mixes are rescued from high-kill overcrowded animal shelters in California and horrible dog pounds in the poor towns of Tijuana and Ensenda or "dumping grounds" in Mexico. (view images here)
In Mexican Pounds, the dogs are not fed or given water or blankets in extreme weather (very cold or very hot in barren, dirty, lonely, scary cells). After brutal "round-ups" by dog catchers, the dogs are thrown into the "Pererra 9" (dog pound) where they use electroction as the main form of killing (very painful and terrifying - the sound of the dogs being killed would make you cry). Financial donations, when available, are used to supply a humane euthanasia at the cost of $1.00 a dog. (view photos of the Tijuana dog pound, and photo of Laura Sandoval, from Animal Advocates). With the help of financial donations, Laura does what few of us can, humanely euthanizes darling, sweet dogs to keep them from being electrocuted - a cheap, but sickenly cruel method - used by the dog pound officials. Laura alone, has saved thousands of dogs from a horrible death, and given many a chance at a life in Canada that no Mexican dog could image. The rescued dogs show their appreciation and gratitude in many ways, more than any dog you could buy from a breeder, pet store or puppy mill. Rescued dogs are eternally grateful.
At the Mexican "Dumping Grounds", dilapidated, boarded up, dirt and filth riddled yards are hidden from public where locals feel this is a less bad place to dump dogs that they don't want. However, they are usually starved or mauled to death by other starving dogs. These dogs are desperate for attention since very few people go to dumping grounds, except for a few rescuers who are able to save some and bring food to the starving.
People who adopt from R-mar save a dog's (or cat's) life. Without adopters, the rescuers in Mexico and California would have nowhere to send the rescued dogs and R-mar wouldn't be able to take more in.
Adoption Cost of Mexican and California Small Dogs
Usually includes:
- Minimum two vet exams
- Spay or neuter
- Microchip
- Vaccinations: DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, parainfluenza), Bordetalla (kennel cough), Rabies (if over 3 - 4 months of age), Drontal plus (deworming round and tape worms)
- Airfare (Los Angeles to Calgary or Vancouver)
- Airline cargo and taxes
TOTAL COST to cover these expenses: $550.00
Other Costs Associated with Rescue
- Medication for demodex mange (non-contagious)
- Medicaton for eye and ear infections
- Flea/tick control (Revolution/Advantage/Frontline)
- Antibiotics for infections
- Teeth infection and cleaning
- Misc. veterinary needs (hit by car, infections and surgery due to other dog maulings, other parasites, etc.)
Volunteers in California, Mexico and Canada all spend countless hours saving many hundreds/thousands of dogs at their own traveling expense of time and gas, to name just a couple of the efforts volunteers are involved in during actual rescue.
Dog Airline - Approved Crates
The dog crates that pets are transported in via air vary in price. Adopters can purchase these crates/kennels from R-mar for $50 - $70.
Rescued street dogs usuallly need to be 'crate trained' for proper housetraining. Dog crates always come in handy for traveling and numerous other reasons.
Benefits Associated When Adopting From R-mar
Many of the dogs which are adopted are already house-trained, crate-trained, leash-trained, some basic training, well socialized, good with kids and have been exposed to cats. Fosterers also help with the long process from the time of actual rescue to adoption. Fosterers know a pet for adoption quite well and pass on valuable information about an individual pet's personality, temperament, level of socialization, housetraining, and basic training.