Rescue & Rehome 100s of Street Dogs in Costa Rica

PATA Quarterly Report

November 2025 

Introduction

Over the past three months, PATA has continued its critical work rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming vulnerable street dogs in Costa Rica. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have provided medical care, shelter, and love to numerous dogs in desperate need. Despite challenges, we celebrate the lives saved and the progress made. Here’s an update on our work.

New Rescues

We have taken in several new dogs and cats facing extreme hardship:

• Rusty-a 16 week old puppy who had spent his whole life tied up to a pole. He was underweight and anemic.
• Bonnie-a sweet small breed dog abandoned tied to a bus stop. She was underweight and suffering from tick fever and a skin condition.
• Rocco- a 6 year old Jack Russel mix. His ear was infested with screw worms and needed surgery to fix the damage.
• Copper-a 2 year old Golden Retriever mix that was found wandering the streets and had been attacked by a pack of dogs.
• Matilda-a 4 year old female abandoned in a nearby village. She was skinny, lethargic and had a skin condition. She passed away from her illness a month after being rescued.
• Indie-small 1.5 year old female found roaming the streets. She was malnourished and skinny.
• Lola- found living on the streets of  a nearby village. She had already had several litters and was suffering from tick fever.
• Yoda-small 1 year old male found abandoned and had been attacked by another dog.
• Luna-small 1 year old female found on the side of the road tied in a sack.
• Bones-2 year old abandoned cat in bad condition. Tested positive for Feline AIDS and had to be euthanized.
• Toby-found with severe wound infected with screw worms. Sadly passed away 2 days later.
• Kittens-Five 3 week old kittens surrendered to refuge. Sadly, all five passed away.

Adoptions & Fosters

We are thrilled to report that several of our rescued dogs have found loving homes:

Adopted:
Capitan, Nacho, Coco, Copper, Brandy, Jack, Bonnie, Billy Bob, Sansa, Tessa, Molly, Holly, 

Fostered:
Indie  has gone into foster care, receiving the love and attention she  needs while awaiting her forever home.

Medical Care & Veterinary Services

Our commitment to medical care remains unwavering. We provided veterinary attention to several dogs, including:

• Roki-Treated for Ehrlichiosis
• Brook – Treated for Ehrlichiosis and anemia.
• Pedro – Treated for Ehrlichiosis and anemia.
• Toby –Emergency surgery for screw worm infested wound

Expenses & Financial Report

With your generous support, we have managed to cover the following essential expenses:

• Veterinary Services: $2700
• Medications: $710
• Food: $876
• Shelter Rent: $2,055
• Electricity: $290
• Fuel & Transport: $605

Total Number of Dogs in Our Care: 20

Challenges & Emergencies

While we have made significant strides, we have faced serious challenges, including:

• Toby’s  Emergency Surgery:  Toby was found with a large wound on his neck caused by a Pizote. The wound was badly infected and full of screw worms. Emergency surgery was performed but unfortunately, Toby passed two days after surgery. 
• Brandy’s Passing: Brandy was adopted by a very loving lady. Unfortunately, four days after being adopted, Brandy passed away unexpectedly in an accident. After several weeks of mourning, Brandy’s adopted Mom decided she wanted to meet Brandy’s brother Jack and instantly fell in love. She adopted Jack and has given him an amazing home. 

 Positive Highlights

Despite the hardships, there have been bright spots:

• Volunteer Support: We welcomed 9 dedicated volunteers who lived in our accommodation and assisted with dog care, socialization, and administrative work.
• Successful Adoptions: 12 dogs have found loving homes both locally and internationally, ensuring a better future for them.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission of rescuing and rehabilitating street dogs. However, we need your support to cover ongoing medical expenses, food, shelter, and transport.

How You Can Help:GlobalGiving Giving Tuesday Campaign

We are excited to participate in the GlobalGiving Giving Tuesday campaign. GivingTuesday is a global day of giving designed to unleash the power of radical generosity. To amplify your impact, GlobalGiving is providing $500,000 in matching funds that will be distributed proportionally among all participating partners based on funds raised during the campaign. 

Thank You

We are incredibly grateful for our donors, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible. Your kindness and generosity ensure that PATA can continue providing lifesaving care to dogs in desperate situations. Thank you for being part of the PATA family and for helping us give abandoned dogs a chance at a better life.

With gratitude,
The PATA Team

PATA Quarterly Report | July 2025 By Amy Rogers | Project Leader

Over the past three months, we have continued our mission: rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming vulnerable street dogs and cats across Costa Rica. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we've been able to provide essential medical care, safe shelter, and much-needed love to countless animals facing desperate circumstances. Despite the significant challenges and heartbreak we've encountered, we celebrate every life saved and every step of progress made. This report offers an update on our dedicated work.

New Rescues

Our commitment to reaching animals in dire need has brought many new faces into the PATA family this quarter:

• Nimbu – Abandoned by her owner, found in heat with a large tumor behind her shoulder, and suffering from tick fever and anemia.
• Gizmo, Speck, Socks, Penelope, Pepa & Poppy – A litter of six three-month-old puppies, sadly unwanted and left to fend for themselves.
• Joey – A one-month-old puppy discovered alone in the road at night, battling severe neurological problems due to parasites and sepsis.
• Paco – Found with a deeply bleeding shoulder wound and a broken shoulder blade after being hit by a vehicle. He was also severely malnourished and fighting tick fever.
• Coco – Tragically run over by her irresponsible owner who then drove off. Rescued by a kind neighbor, she arrived with wounds, scrapes, and abdominal bruising.
• Max, Charlie, Sasha, Rosie, Bailey – Another heartbreaking case of an abandoned litter of two-month-old puppies, all suffering from Parvo. Despite our best efforts, we sadly lost Bailey.
• Dumbo – Previously in our care after a car accident broke his leg, he was relinquished by his owner when he fell ill again with tick fever and anemia. PATA was there to help him once more.
• Henrietta – Abandoned near a supermarket, found in heat, severely underweight, and very scared, with tick fever, severe anemia, and a persistent skin condition.
• Freddy, Dotty, Molly – A litter born to a feral mother who could not be caught, these puppies needed immediate intervention.
• Jack & Brandy – Abandoned on a quiet lane at just six weeks old and malnourished. Jack required treatment for tick fever.
• Katya – Relinquished to PATA after we received concerning complaints that she was tied up on a one-meter rope for the entirety of her life.
• Wilson – Abandoned when he became sick and thin, suffering from tick fever and anemia.
• Sadie and her four kittens – Abandoned by her owner just days before giving birth.
• Leo, Luna & Cleo – Three one-month-old kittens found abandoned beside the road.

Adoptions & Fosters

We are incredibly proud to share the heartwarming news that many of our rescued dogs and cats have found their loving forever homes or are thriving in foster care:

Adopted: Baloo (adopted into Canada), Chaz, Luna, Piero, Nimbu, Gizmo, Speck, Socks, Penelope, Pepa & Poppy, Charlie & Rosie, Joey (adopted into Canada), Freddy & Dotty, Katya, Sadie and her four kittens, and kittens Leo, Luna & Cleo.

Fostered: Pepe, Capitan, Wilson, and Gypsy have transitioned into caring foster homes. Here, they receive love and attention, helping them heal and socialise as they patiently await their permanent families.

Medical Care & Veterinary Services

Our unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive medical care is at the core of PATA's mission. This quarter, our veterinary partners have provided critical attention to numerous animals, often in complex and challenging situations:

• Brisa – Received treatment for Ehrlichiosis and anemia.
• Chispita – A very sick and weak dog with a large abdominal mass. Despite our best efforts, her condition was too severe, and we made the heartbreaking decision to ensure she was as comfortable as possible in her final moments.
• Tito – A male dog abandoned in a nearby village, taken in by a local resident. We provided essential support for his vet check-up, vaccinations, and neuter operation.
• Estrella – Treated for severe vomiting and Ehrlichiosis.
• Luna the Pug – Tragically went into labor but could not deliver her puppies. Despite rushing her to a specialized vet an hour away, her uterus had ruptured, the puppies had died, and she was suffering from severe sepsis. We had to make the incredibly difficult decision to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
• Manchitas – A female dog in heat, successfully spayed to prevent unwanted litters.

Expenses & Financial Report

The extensive care we provide comes with significant costs. With your continued and generous support, we have managed to cover the following essential expenses this quarter:

• Veterinary Services: $1,673
• Medications: $902
• Food: $880
• Shelter Rent: $2,055
• Electricity: $280
• Fuel & Transport: $599

Total Number of Dogs in Our Care: 21

Challenges & Emergencies

While we celebrate our successes, this quarter has also presented us with profound challenges and heartbreaking emergencies that underscore the critical need for our work and your support:

• Luna the Pug's Emergency: Our local vet was unable to perform an emergency cesarean due to the high risks associated with anesthesia and surgery for her breed. We drove an hour to another vet for an ultrasound, but by then, Luna was gravely ill, and the chances of her survival were minimal. This tragic event highlights the immediate and specialised care often required.
• Paco's Intensive Care: Paco's shoulder wound was so deep and painful that he required daily veterinary care for the first three weeks of his recovery, a testament to the severity of his injuries.
• Freddy, Dotty, and Molly's Sister: Upon rescue, these puppies had a sister who was suffering from screw worm in her vaginal area. The damage was too severe, and we had to make the difficult decision to humanely put her to sleep.

Positive Highlights

Amidst the challenges, we also celebrate moments of joy and progress that inspire us to continue:

• Growing Volunteer Support: We were thrilled to welcome four dedicated volunteers who lived in our accommodation, providing invaluable assistance with dog care, socialisation, and essential administrative work. Their commitment makes a tangible difference every day.
• 6th Anniversary Celebration: We successfully hosted our 6th Anniversary party! Thanks to the incredible support from local businesses, we raised much-needed funds through our celebration and raffle, strengthening our community ties and financial foundation.
• Successful Adoptions: The continued success of finding loving homes for our dogs and cats, both locally and internationally, remains our greatest reward, ensuring a brighter future for these deserving animals.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the next quarter, our mission to rescue and rehabilitate street dogs and cats remains steadfast. The cases we encounter are often severe, requiring extensive medical intervention and long-term care. To continue this vital work and meet the escalating needs, we urgently require your sustained support to cover ongoing medical expenses, food, shelter, and transport. Every life saved, every wound healed, and every adoption made possible depends on your generosity.

How You Can Help: July Bonus Day Campaign

We are excited to participate in the July 17th Bonus Day campaign!

During this campaign, all donations of $100 or more to participating nonprofits will be proportionally matched from a $125,000 fund, with a $1,000 match cap per donor per nonprofit.

Whether you can give a little or a lot, every donation directly helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more dogs and cats in desperate need.

Please make sure to follow us on social media to check our progress and see your impact firsthand!

Thank You

We are profoundly grateful for each and every one of our donors, dedicated volunteers, and compassionate supporters who make our work possible.

Your kindness and generosity ensure that PATA can continue providing lifesaving care to animals in desperate situations.

Thank you for being an integral part of the PATA family and for helping us give abandoned dogs and cats a second chance at a life filled with love and safety.

With immense gratitude, The PATA Team