Hoping for Homes

Hoping for Homes - Dogs currently available for adoption.
(click on the images to see their albums on facebook)

Rico: in a Victoria foster & hoping for a forever family

You’ve heard the story before. The dog has a family and then the dog doesn’t have a family. The what, why, how are the questions commonly asked by most people……then there are those that focus on a solution for the animals that have been left. Understanding humans is complicated, but understanding dogs is easy; they only want a person to love. They are loyal and will stick with their humans even when they don’t get much in return. Dogs deserve more. They deserve love, care, food, shelter and loyalty. Rico had a family, then he didn’t and now Rico is a MexPup. This lovely guy is about 7 years old and weighs 8 kilos. Rico is a friendly guy that is leash trained, house trained and just wants a family that will love him. He likes other dogs, although he can take his time in warming up to some males. If you are looking for an older pup that is easy going and just wants a place to call home, this guy is for you!

Chimi: in a Vancouver foster & hoping for a loving home

Carmen & Claudia were at their restaurant El Arrayan in downtown PV. It was a regular night as the dinner service had started and customers were entering & departing the building. In the midst of all this activity, a small dog walked right into the restaurant. He might have smelled Coco (their senior dog that has her bed back in the corner behind the hostess stand. He might have smelled food (he was underweight and what dog doesn’t like food). No matter why he walked in, he couldn’t have chosen a better place to seek refuge. Carmen & Claudia love animals and they are big animal rescuers. They always do what they can for those in need, so when this pup came to them there was no question they would help him. Chimi is about 9 months old, weighs about 10 kilos and has personality to spare. His is a playful pup that gets along with dogs and cats (although the cats in his foster home are not as impressed with him). Chimi is leash trained and knows a number of commands. This pup wants to please although he does still get into typical puppy trouble. If you are looking for a new buddy that will bring lots of smiles and joy to your life, he may just be the guy for you. Please share Chimi’s story so that we can find him the family he so deserves.

Lewis: in a PV foster & hoping for a loving home

Todd & Patty went for their morning walk on the Malecon with their pack (4 permanent dogs and 2 foster dogs). They saw a black dog that was trying so hard to latch onto anyone and everyone that was out walking. He would just start following in the hopes that someone would say "yes, come home with me and I will take care of you". He clearly had a case of mange and needed/wanted help. They simply couldn't say no to him. They told him it was going to be ok and asked him to follow......he was happy to accept the offer. Lewis was sick. He had sarcoptic mange (the contagious mange) and so could not be in a foster home with other dogs or cats. Since we didn't have any foster homes that could take him, he stayed in care at the vets until his skin was cleared (he actually had numerous clean scraping before he went into care with Todd, Patty and their pack). Lewis didn't love being in quarantine at a vet clinic, but he was a good boy throughout the process and he loves everyone that works there. He has now moved into a foster home, boy was he HAPPY! Lewis immediately made friends with the fur foster siblings and all he wanted to do was play. He is a very friendly pup that is between 1-2 years old and weighs 24 kilos. We are still getting to know him, but he seems to be a very social, smart and trainable pup. He loves to run and has lots of energy, so we think he would do great in an active home. If you are looking for a new family member that will join you on walks, hikes, runs and fun adventures....this could be your guy. He is ready to find a family....are you ready to open your heart?

Chocolata: in a PV foster & hoping for a family of her own

Chocolate was a street dog that befriended some security guys in a Vallarta neighborhood. They had been feeding her, giving her water, and she had started to follow them during security rounds. On September 1st, she was hit by a car. This poor girl sustained injuries to both her back legs (fracture of one femoral head and in both paws). The security guys didn’t have the ability to provide care for Chocolata, but wanted the best for her. Monica lives in the neighborhood, found out what happened, and started to look for help. The group “Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals” that works with the PV acopio (which is now a no-kill facility because of the work that they do – YEA!!!) agreed to help. They started to raise money and supported Monica in fostering her. At the same time, a number of other critical animals came into the acopio and they also ran into some operational challenges. They were in a tough spot and needed all the help they could find. MexPup heard about the challenges they were facing and decided we (the MexPup community) could help. By taking on the most expensive pup they had in care, it would allow all the money being donated to go towards the other 70+ animals they had in care and the operational challenges they had (loss of the government provided cleaning person). That is how Chocolata became a MexPup. This lovely pup is approximately 1 year old. She is a very friendly girl that does well with other dogs (there are 3 foster puppies in her foster home). We have been given a good prognosis for her recovery by the orthopedic vet and so are very hopeful for her future. The reality is that we need your help. Her surgery & recovery will be costly, but we believe that Chocolata deserves a second chance for a wonderful life with a loving family and a home. Please consider making a donation to MexPup to help us cover all the cost for Chocolata’s surgery & care. We need your help to continue to make a difference for those that need our help.

Bella: in a PV foster & looking for a loving family in PV

Rebecca is a young girl with a big heart. When her neighbors kicked their dog out on the street, she took notice and worried about the dog. She started talking to adults to try and figure out what she could do for the dog. Fortunately, one of her teachers is a big animal rescuer/advocate, so Rebecca made a plea to Ms. Michelle. Not only was the story heartbreaking, but Michelle also wanted to support this child. Children are the future, and those that choose compassion & care need to be celebrated. They visited the dog in order to gain her trust, a plan was made, and then the rescue day arrived. Bella was more than happy to be taken in by loving people. She is an older dog (likely 8-9 years), is larger (about 25 kilos), and has had a tough life (look at the horrible ear crop that she suffered). Bella is now at a vet clinic receiving the medical care and attention she needs. She is safe, she is getting healthy, and she will never again be discarded. We are hoping to find her a wonderful foster home in Puerto Vallarta where she can continue to heal. Despite her experience, she loves people, does well with other dogs and is a gentle girl. Please share her story so that we can find her a foster and eventually a forever family that will love and value her.

Jill: in a PV foster & hoping for a loving family

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Jill, she is the (most) blonde of the litter. She is similar in size to the other females (just under 3 kilos), but she had the biggest (parasite) belly. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Jill, we will update her story.

Bentin (aka BamBam): in a Victoria foster & hoping for a forever family

Barbara started to deliver her puppies on February 10, 2012. There were 13 in the litter. One died almost immediately, 2 passed away in the first 2 days and then another 2 died around days 10-12. We are hopeful that the remaining 8 will survive (Maroma, Makoki, Diva, Frida, Nova, Camilla, BamBam and Mozart). They are a lucky group to have been born in a wonderful foster home where Jenny & Lili did such a great job supporting Barbara and helping the puppies. BamBam is the biggest pup in the litter. At one month, he weighed 2.2 kilos and he continues to GROW! His mom weighs about 22 kilos and we would expect him to be about the same size (or maybe a bit bigger). He is a shy pup and once he trusts you will protect him he will be your favorite and faithful boy forever. He will make a wonderful addition to some lucky people who can handle a big and playful pup who needs all your attention and lots of exercise to keep his mind active. A note from Bentin's foster mom: Benny has fit in wonderfully
to may pack of 7, 4 pups and 3 kitties. He's scared of the cats and not sure what they are just yet lol. Bentin is learning and refining his obedience and he's such a smart boy and catches on to new commands very quickly. Positive praise training only for this shy boy. He has really come out of his shell and is becoming the pup he needs to be. His confidence will come with a strong leader and consistent routine and exercise. He's perfect!

Osito Polar: in a Victoria foster & hoping for a loving home

There is a wonderful organization called PEACE Animals that runs the free spay & neuter clinics throughout Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding communities. During one clinic a couple arrived asking to euthanize one pup. The paws of this puppy were deformed and the owners had come to the decision that he should be put down. The staff at the clinic didn’t want to comply with the request and asked the owners if they would surrender the dog. The couple agreed and so began the process of helping Osito Polar. Angeles returned to the clinic to pick up another rescue dog that had been neutered that day when she was asked if she could help. She agreed to foster the dog and MexPup took on the responsibility for the medical care and finding this special needs pup a good home. Osito was only 2.5 kilos when he was rescued (late March 2013). He got his name from his unique paws and the way he walked (sort of like a polar bear on ice). He was very weak, very anemic and suffering from ehrlichia. His physical deformities indicated that he might have additional challenges causing his recovery to take longer than what we normally experience. The good news is that with time and care he did begin to heal and became a happy, playful, devilish puppy who didn't realize that he ran or walked different than any other. We are still not certain what medical challenges he could face in the future but that doesn't diminish our commitment to him. Osito was fostered with Canito (now Bello) and they were simply a pair of playful pups who loved exploring, playing and doing was puppies do best…..looking adorable. Now that Canito has found his new home, we very much want Osito to get the same opportunity. He is approximately 7-8 months old and weighs about 10 kilos. This sweet boy has been in a foster home with dogs and cats. He loves to play with dogs and gets along well with all of them, but he can pester the cats. Osito needs a home with lots of love and attention as we expect that his deformed paws might indicate other challenges in his future. He is still a puppy and needs help with training (bored puppies can tend to chew and this guy is no exception), but we know that with a solid home he will become a great family member. We are so thankful that the PEACE Animals vet saved him. Now we need a family that will continue to provide for this lovable, sweet boy.
UPDATE - Oso has been seen by a vet in Canada and we have confirmation that he has club foot. He is mobile and happy and the vet is confident that he can have a great quality of life.

Kris: in a PV foster & hoping for a forever family

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Kris, her coat is caramel with brown markings on her face and body. She is similar in size to the other females (just under 3 kilos), and she is just a little thing. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Kris, we will update her story.

Sabrina: in a PV foster & hoping for a loving family

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Sabrina, her coat is dark with splashes of color. She is similar in size to the other females (just under 3 kilos), and she is quite sweet. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Sabrina, we will update her story.

Bosley: in a PV foster & looking for a forever family

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Bosley, he is the only male of the litter. He is the biggest of the group weighing in at 3 kilos. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Bosley, we will update his story.

Kelly: in a PV foster & hoping for her own family

When a plea comes in about puppies on the street, it pulls at the heartstrings. They are so vulnerable. We know that if we aren’t able to help them, their chances for survival are slim. We put out a plea for the Mojoneras puppies as we needed foster homes to be able to take them in. Some wonderful people agreed to open their homes and their hearts (thank you Laura, Vicki, Licerine) and so we contacted Yessy letting him know that we could help. Yessy had been providing food & water to the mom and her puppies. He had also found a home for one of them. Now that the pups were mobile he was also trying to keep them safe. As of this afternoon, the puppies are off the street and at the vet’s office. They will move to foster homes once testing is done and they are cleared. We are still working to get the mom off the street. She stayed away today, but we will not give up until she is also safe.
**Meet Kelly, she has the darkest hair of the litter (think Jaclyn Smith). She is similar in size to the other females (just under 3 kilos), and she is quite confident and willing to explore. We believe the pups are about 2 months old. As we learn more about Kelly, we will update her story.

Charlie: in a PV foster & hoping for a loving family

Yessy moved into a new neighborhood. There was lots of construction going on and the area was in transition. She noticed a female dog and could tell she had puppies. Yessy started putting out food & water for the mom, and trying to figure out a way to help her. After a few weeks had passed, Yessy started seeing the puppies and so began providing food & water for them also. They were mobile and exploring their territory. Small mobile puppies, construction sites, neighbors that don’t like street dogs…….it was a recipe for disaster. Yessy was willing to do all she could to help this family, but she knew they needed more than she could provide. She reached out to MexPup and thanks to a number of people stepping up, we were able to take in the whole family. Charlie and her puppies (Bosley, Kelly, Jill, Sabrina and Kris) are all now in care with the hope of a bright future. Charlie is at a good weight (thanks to the food provided by Yessy over these past weeks/months). She is about 21 kilos and about 1-2 years old. She is a shy girl who wants to love and trust, but life has taught her to move slowly and be cautious with people. Charlie will move to a foster home where she will get healthy (she tested negative for all the really bad stuff, but is positive for the common blood diseases we have here) and she will learn that there are lots of wonderful humans who want the best for her. Once she is ready, we are hoping to find a kind and loving home for her: a place where she will be valued, a place where she will be loved, a place where she will be part of the family.

Henry: application received, please check back

Some foreigners that lived in the Puerto Vallarta Marina had a dog. Everyone loves this dog…..he is a good dog. They decided to move out of Mexico. Guess what…..they didn’t take the dog, they didn’t find him a home, they didn’t make a plan, they just left him out on the street #@*#!@#*!!! I don’t understand people like that. I just don’t. We heard about this dog from Clara who doesn’t live here, but who was committed to making sure that this guy was ok. Her vacation ended before she could find him a safe place and once she got home, she wasn’t able to sleep knowing he was still on the street. She gave us the resources we needed in order to take action and off to the marina we went to find this pup. He wasn’t hard to find….everyone knew him – the basset hound/Rottweiler mix was hard to miss. Henry was more than happy to have a collar put around his neck and off to the vets he went. The distemper test was negative (YEA!), a bath was in order (whoa – were there a lot of ticks), and then he settled in for the night at a vet office. Henry is about 5 years old and weighs 20 kilos. Although he was living on the streets, he was staying between 2 restaurants – lack of food was not an issue for him. He is now in care and getting the attention he needs and deserves. Henry didn’t do anything wrong. He just got mixed up with the wrong people. Please help us to keep him on the right path….he needs a loving home that will never, ever, ever abandon him.

Lulu: application received, please check back

Fernanda and Enrique’s neighbor feeds the feral cats on their street. One day a dog arrived and she started to eat the cat food. She was extremely thin. She continued to return, so after 3 nights the neighbor got her some dog food. For the next two weeks, this sweet pup continued to come back to get food & water. The neighbor wasn't able to take the dog in, but she continued to feed her and finally told Fernanda what was going on. Fernanda knew she wanted to help, but first she needed to find her – street dogs know how to keep a low profile. The day came that Fernanda saw the dog and she didn't hesitate. She got her in the car and off to the vet they went. Not only did she have the regular issues of a street dog, but she also had a TVT tumor. She needed treatment and to be quarantined as the illness was contagious. Thankfully after several weeks of treatment, the tumor was gone and Lulu could be fostered with other dogs. She shared a foster home with Homero another MexPup (who she loves) and the families 2 other dogs – all four had a great time together. Recently the landlord required the foster family to find another location for both their foster dogs (he set a limit of 2 dogs in their home). Poor Lulu lost her first foster home, but she is now staying with Monica and gets to interact with numerous dogs every day. She is thriving in this environment with lots of activity, lots of other dogs, lots of space to run, and lots of love & care. Lulu is a very sweet and loving dog. She is about 2 years old and weighs about 19 kilos. The pup gets along great with other dogs, loves humans and deserves a home of her own. Please share the story of Lulu and help us to find her a family that will give her a wonderful life.

Moro: application received, please check back

Vicki and her husband Frank were having a meal with friends at Moro Paraiso along the Rio Cuale when they noticed a friendly pup. This very social guy was hanging out at the restaurant and they found out that he had been getting fed there for about two weeks but that he needed a home. No one knew where he came from, he had simply arrived. The nice people from the restaurant were making sure he had the basics, but none of them was able to take him in. Living on the streets is tough and everyone knew this great pup deserved a home so Vicki & Frank decided to make a difference. They took him in, got him healthy, and then it was time to find him a home. They asked MexPup for help and lucky for Moro, there was an open space on an upcoming flight & he got the call. This pup has a very sweet temperament and simply wants to love and be loved. Moro is about 1 year old and weighs around 17 kilos. This smart and playful boy does great with other dogs and clearly gets along great with people. He won the hearts of the people at Moro Paraiso, then he won Frank and Vicki’s hearts and now he’s ready to win the hearts of his new family. Whoever they are they will be very lucky to have Moro in their lives.

Kendra: application received, please check back

Erika works in a small town outside of Puerto Vallarta. Most of the people there have dogs that have good lives, are treated well, and are happy. One day, Erika saw a new dog that didn’t fit in as she seemed scared, was skinny and had an injured leg. Erika is a dog advocate and always finds a way to help, so she called to the dog. The dog was happy for the attention and came right over to her. Erika asked around to see if anyone knew the dog and no one did. She started caring for the dog by providing food, water and attention. Each morning the grateful pup was there waiting for Erika. She wasn’t able to use her rear leg and was in pain, but that didn’t keep this sweet girl from happily greeting her each day. Erika knew she couldn’t leave the dog, now named Kendra, on the streets alone and injured. Erika is a responsible rescuer so she made a plan, found a foster home, organized a fundraiser with some friends, got Kendra to the vet, and asked Mexpup for help. The tests for all the real scary stuff were negative, so that was very good news. The X-ray showed that her leg was damaged and she needed surgery. Kendra has thrived in her foster home gaining confidence and weight. After her surgery, she started doing rehab; going to the beach to swim and to walk on the sand. After only 3 weeks post-op, she was using her leg for support almost 100%. Kendra is a sweet, energetic and happy dog. She has even learned to shake a paw when you ask her to do it. She is quiet, but at the same time playful. Kendra loves rides in a car; she is so good you can barely tell she is there. This pup is almost one year old, weighs about 10 kilos, loves to play with the other dogs, and is ready to find a family of her own. Her recovery has been quick, and you can see how much she really wants another opportunity in life. Could you be the family to give her that chance?

Abby: Adopted! December 8, 2013

Click here Imagine seeing a pup on the street with huge patches of hair simply missing and red/raw skin exposed. What would you do? Would you simply continue on with a heavy heart wishing to help but thinking it was too hard, or thinking you weren’t an expert so couldn’t help, or that you were just too afraid as you didn’t know where to begin? All animal rescuers felt like that. Each one of us had our first rescue…..we picked up a dog and then said “what do I do now”. You start with compassion, you seek medical attention, you reach out to those around you and say “I want to make a difference, can you help guide me”. If we each make decisions to help, our collective effort will make a big difference. Luz found herself in this exact situation although it wasn’t her first rescue, she still had that moment where she had to choose…an obviously sick dog in her neighborhood needed help. She took her in and started the process of rescue by offering her a home where she could heal. Abby was in Luz’s care for some time as she had a long road to recovery, but once she was healthy, it was easy to see that this beautiful pup was ready for a home. She is about 1 year old and weighs about 10 kilos. Abby is a playful girl that loves other dogs, loves people and just loves to love. She has lots of energy and is still learning how to play with humans (she can be a bit mouthy so we think a home without small children would be best). Abby loves to go for walks, does well on a leash and will certainly bring lots of joy & smiles to whomever is lucky enough to add this pup to their family.

Oscar: Adopted! December 1, 2013

Jenny is a great animal advocate. She isn’t one to leave it to others. She is the type of person that sees a problem and finds a solution. Jenny puts herself out there even when it is complicated or difficult, and she does it (I must admit she is a hero of mine). There were 3 puppies that were all in terrible condition. They were malnourished, covered in fleas, anemic and unlikely to survive. Their “owners” weren’t interested in them and had no willingness to help them. Jenny has her own 2 dogs plus she was fostering Nikki (another MexPup) when she heard about these puppies. She didn’t say “I am too busy”, she didn’t say “I have no room”, she didn’t say “I don’t have resources to cover their bills”, she didn’t say “someone else needs to save them”, she simply said “YES”. She and some friends rescued Oscar, Yara and Ringo. The 3 puppies were fostered together which is very positive for their development. Oscar´s siblings were adopted but Oscar is still looking for a forever family. He is now about 7-8 months old and seems to be a lab mix. Oscar loves the ocean. He loves to swim, he loves to play and he is very strong. He is great with other dogs, kids and is quite tolerant. This mini black lab who loves car rides just needs to find the right family so he can shower them with kisses (he is a very good kisser).

Casper: Adopted! November 23, 2013

Brian was just leaving the parking lot at WalMart near the Pitillal when he noticed a security guard riding a bike and carrying a small dog in his arms. The little dog was cuddling the guy thinking that he was safe, but the security guard proceeded outside the busy parking lot and put the dog down on the sidewalk along the busy street. The little dog was in a panic and tried to attach himself to anyone that walked by. He even tried to get onto a transit bus! In his panic, the pup was venturing out onto the street and then back onto the sidewalk. It was a disaster waiting to happen. Brian quickly drove home, dropped the groceries off, had a 30 second discussion with Mona and they went back to get the dog. They found him following a man down the street. When they asked the guy if the dog belonged to him, he said no. Mona jumped out of the car and tried to lure the dog with a treat, but the pup was still in a panic and kept following the man. Brian drove ahead, pulled over and called the dog who happily ran into his arms. Casper did not appear malnourished, but his fur was matted, he was covered in dried dog poop and mud, and had fleas. He also had patches of skin where his fur had been rubbed off. Brian and Mona thought that wherever he lived before, it must have been a very small space that was not regularly cleaned. Casper probably had to lie in his own dirt. Along with parasites, Casper had a gastrointestinal bacteria so was given a course of antibiotics. Bloodwork was done and Casper was a bit anaemic, but vet was confident this would resolve with proper nutrition and care. Casper is less than a year old – estimated to be about 10 or 11 months. He is tan/brown with blonde/white highlights and white paws. He now weighs 6.6 kg and is not expected to grow much more. Casper is a little “love bunny” and deserves a wonderful loving home. He is a “big dog” in a little body and does not demand attention, but is just happy to belong. He has the cutest little face and will give you loving looks that make you smile every day.

Zira (formerly Dana): Adopted! November 14, 2013

Sandra doesn’t just love animals, she volunteers her time, energy & skills to help animal rescue groups here in Puerto Vallarta. It might surprise you to find out that her father is also an animal rescuer. He is a kind Mexican man living in Guadalajara that does what he can (which is often a lot) to get street animals rescued, healthy, spayed/neutered and placed into new homes….all in his extra time as he also works (sounds so familiar). Over a year ago he took in a pregnant dog and she had her 6 puppies in his care. Once the puppies were old enough, healthy, spayed/neutered and vaccinated, he began finding them homes. He was able to find homes for the mom and 5 of the puppies, but a home for the final pup proved elusive. Sandra asked MexPup if we could help find Dana a home and we said yes. Sadly, the summer months arrived and there were few flight spaces available, so she remained in foster care hoping for a flight. Her turn has finally arrived and Dana will be getting her chance at a wonderful life. This gentle girl is 1 year old and weighs about 13 kg. She has lived in a foster home with various dogs & three cats getting along well with all of them. Dana is a bit shy with new people, but she is friendly and loves being with her humans. She is house trained, leash trained and would thrive in a loving home. After Juan Antonio put in so much time and effort saving the mom and her pups, he deserves to see Dana find her forever home so he can celebrate a job well done! Way to go rescuers!

Crackle: Adopted! November 13, 2013

It happens way too often, a litter of puppies is dumped. They didn’t ask to be born, and the mom certainly didn’t ask to be let out or around male dogs when she was in heat. It could have all been prevented if the dog was spayed, but of course “that isn’t necessary” they say, “the dog wants to have puppies”, “the puppies will be cute”……until they grow too big, new homes can’t be found, and a decision is made to discard them (this is the step in the process that gets me every time). The good news is that they picked a building where some animal lovers live. These people heard the cries of the puppies and put out food & water. The next day they started asking everyone they could for help. We saw the plea and the photo of one pup really pulled at us. We knew he needed care immediately or his chances would start dropping rapidly. It just so happened that Karen and Stephanie (from MexPup in Canada) were in town and they could foster them in an empty apartment that could be used for a week. So off we went to get the pups. We were met by the wonderful people that networked to get them help, we loaded them up and off to the vets we went. All in all, the news was pretty good. The 4 pups all had lots of parasites and were anemic, but they tested negative for the really scary stuff. Crackle is the middle boy. He has coloring in between the others and weighed in at 1.6 kilos (the middle weight). He was about 8 weeks old when rescued. Crackle is always trying to keep up with his bigger sibling. He runs a bit harder, plays a bit longer and sleeps a bit deeper. He is also the one that loves toys the most – he hasn’t met a squeak he doesn’t like. They are showing their personalities more each day and are curious about everything. They are romping around as only puppies can do and they are on their way to a bright future. Crackle was adopted to a family but due to circumstances is back in a foster home. He is a sweet pup that needs a loving, active family. He is now approximately 1 year old and weighs about 50 lbs. Please share his album so he can find his forever home.

Flaco: Adopted! November 9, 2013

Hello my name is Flaco and I am a little black 2.5 year old dog with white markings and I stand 16 inches tall and am 25 inches long. I am glad to say I weigh 17 pounds now, although when my foster mum found me in I only weighed 8 pounds. I never ate much growing up outside of the bus station and when I was hit by a bus I was left to wobble around on my own. I didn't have many friends other than the ticks and fleas who were plentiful but unwelcomed. Big dogs would hurt and bite me so I am very scared of them now even after a year. Catherine found me in bad condition and the nice doctor said I had only a few days to live. He was very nice and gave me lots of medication and love. She carried me in a blanket for walks over 10 meters. The doctor said my back will always be a little twisted and one leg a little shorter than the other, but in time I will be just fine. He was right! Now I am the fastest little runner in town and don't mind that I kind of go sideways, because my foster mum always gets a chuckle out of it. I certainly love to chase balls and play with other dogs who won't hurt me. When I am on the leash and a big dog comes towards foster mum and I, I will bark at him though, because maybe he will hurt us. My favorite thing to do is to play with kids and even though they sometimes are rough I just can't get angry, foster mum says it's because I am so gentle and passive. Although I do like to chase balls, I really like to just chill out all day on my blanket and sleep with my baby elephant. I have quite the collection of stuffed toys that I like to sleep with. I am very proud to say I am fixed and have all my vaccines. I even have official papers that go with it. She is very fussy and gives me a bath every Wednesday and has me treated with Frontline (no more ticks or flees for me). The vet says that because we live in Mexico it's best that I get treated for worms, so every three months she gives me pills and hides them in a ham sandwich. I have kind of become a little chubby, but still people call me Flaco (Spanish for skinny). I am very obedient and know several commands in Spanish and English. My foster mum and I don't care much for noise so we are a perfect match, because I don't bark unless a dog is coming after me. My foster mum is also very proud to say that not once since she got me off the street have I pooped or piddled in the house, even when she goes to work all day. My foster mum and I are very much in love and she spoils me something crazy, but she only intended on getting me better and has kept me longer than she is allowed to. She works here in Mexico and her apartment is part of her salary which isn't much. Her boss has reminded her that she is not permitted to have me and since I am now healthy, he has asked that I start searching for a new home for me. I know my foster mum though and she will not give up easy and wants me to have the best home possible where I am not a family pet, but rather a member of the family. It's a little embarrassing to say, but I have been really spoiled with love, good health care, treats and time. She says I deserve that after all I have been through. If you would like a loyal, clean, healthy, obedient, cuddly, funny friend who is loyal, kind and overly friendly can you please let us know as I would really like to meet you and become a member of your family. Thank you so much Flaco

Barney Rubble: Adopted! November 1, 2013

Mike was staying in a condo up the hill from Playa Los Muertos where he noticed a dog living on the street in the neighborhood. It was a very friendly pup that was regularly fed by the locals, but the poor pup had a severe skin condition and his health seemed to be deteriorating. Calls were placed, a plan was made, and Mona & Brian followed the directions to find the pup. He was right where described lying on the street in front of a taco stand. After asking a few people if they knew if the dog was owned by anyone, and confirming that he wasn’t, Brian and Mona packed “Barney Rubble” into the truck (yea Mona & Brian!), gave him a drink of water and headed off to Mascota’s for a check-up. On examination, it was confirmed that Barney had non-contagious mange and that the condition caused inflammation of his feet and thus the limping. No bones were injured or broken and that was the good news. Unfortunately, there was bad news. Barney tested positive for Mochillo (distemper) which is a very serious illness, so a home with vaccinated dogs, or preferably no dogs at all, needed to be found. The MexPup team rallied and after some shuffling, a temporary home was provided by Diana Simmons (yea Diana!). The next day, a longer term foster home was found with the help of the SPCA (yea SPCA de PV!). Barney continued in a special foster location that provided isolation for a few dogs that all tested positive for the disease. He showed no signs of the illness (GREAT news), and continued on in special care until he was no longer shedding the virus. When he was able to transition into regular care, MexPup didn’t have any foster homes available, but we were very fortunate that the SPCA offered to take him into their sanctuary (once again, yea SPCA!). He remained there for a few months being treated for his mange and getting socialized with more people and animals. Finally a foster home became available and Barney Rubble moved in with Poncho & Michel (yea Poncho & Michel!). Barney is about 1.5 to 2 years old and now weighs approximately 20 kgs. He is just a wonderful guy that does well with many dogs (he isn’t a fan of yappy dogs that don’t know their manners) and cats (the cat rules the roost in his foster home). He loves to play, loves to run and loves being loved. Barney will likely have some permanent scars from his mange, but we think he is handsome just the same….they just add a bit of character. Barney Rubble is thriving in his foster home, but after 8 months in care, we are thrilled that he is finally healthy and ready for a permanent home of his own. Could he be the faithful pet you’ve been looking for?

Joey (formerly Zooey): Adopted! October 19, 2013

Jennifer,
I got your reply to my email today and I couldn’t stop thinking about the puppies, so my husband and I made the trip out to Mismaloya. We walked the zoo parking lot, spoke to some of the workers, and then we started walking the streets. We came upon 2 puppies – one much larger than the other. The small female looked like she needed help and the larger male was in ok condition. We realized they moved in and out of a front patio, so we called out to see if anyone was home. A nice woman was there and was happy to speak with us. They are a very nice, kind family, but have little in the way of material goods. Their female dog had a litter of 5 puppies about 5-6 months ago. 3 of the puppies were there with the mom. We spoke to the woman about getting the mom spayed and helping with the puppies. As we have no foster homes available, we decided to leave the 2 larger pups there. We will take back medicine and food over the weekend for all 3 dogs (anti-parasite treatment and an antibiotic for a very common illness that many street dogs have). We will also arrange to have someone pick up all three to take them to the free spay/neuter clinic. We will work to find a foster home for the two puppies and to get them into a better life (the family loves the female adult, she is in good condition & loves her family). That was the family's plan all along (to find new homes for the puppies). We will simply help to make their current situation a bit better until that happens.

As for Zooey, the family agreed that we could take her today - we simply knew she needed more. She has been checked by the vets and although she is severely anemic and has Ehrlicia, she should have a full recovery. She will begin receiving treatment today and will be boarded with the vet until a foster home can be found. I was very disappointed when the mother told me she hadn’t seen the other 2 puppies for two days. I assumed the worst, but we had to move forward with helping those that still needed our help. After returning from the vets, I was talking to a friend and mentioned today’s rescue in Mismaloya. Her reply shocked me……she said wow, another rescue there after 2 puppies were saved there 2 days ago. Seems someone was at the zoo and found 2 sick puppies hiding under a car in the parking lot. They scooped them up, took them to the vet and are fostering them. I got a picture of them, and it clearly seems to be the littermates to Zooey and the boys. I was thrilled with the news and I was certain you would be too. I have attached pictures of all. Hopefully, these are the puppies that you saw and you can rest easy knowing that they are in care with the hope of a bright future…..and that their mom is in a loving home that although poor, cares greatly for her. She will be spayed to prevent another unwanted litter. Today is a good day!!!

Please know that we are in a constant battle here. We greatly appreciate your contribution. We would appreciate your continued support and please share your story with others that visit Mexico and love animals. There are always more dogs to help and bills to be paid.
Thank you for caring,
Patty

Jose: Adopted! October 6, 2013

The first time Chuck saw this pup he was out on a walk with his 2 dogs. He thought this little guy was a stray, but the situation wasn’t dire and Chuck couldn't take action because of the behavior of his dogs. About a week later, on another walk, and there again was the pup. Like before, his 2 dogs were a bit aggressive and restricted him from trying to do anything at that exact moment. When he returned home, he got a bowl water and went back to find the pup, but he was nowhere to be found. Almost three weeks had passed since the first sighting when on a hot summer morning Chuck found Jose under a car getting some shade. By now he was very thirsty, hungry and exhausted. He picked him up and took Jose to the vet where he was examined and treated for 5 days as he was suffering from dehydration. Jose then went into foster care with his rescuers, Chuck and Claudia, and his playful personality started to show itself. Within 2 weeks he had assimilated very nicely into their household and was doing great with their three other dogs. This sweet pup is about 2 years old. He does well with people and with other dogs. Jose is house trained and walks well on a leash. We are excited for him to have a family of his own….we only need them to identify themselves….who’s going to say “me”?

Two (formerly Bachito): Adopted! November 29, 2013

It was just another day in Puerto Vallarta and Licerine was out & about near her home when she came across a dog that was painfully skinny, dirty and clearly in need of help. She did what animal rescuers do….she befriended the dog, took him home, cleaned him up, got him care and put him on the path to a better future. Licerine doesn’t have extra time, extra resources, extra knowledge, extra money…….she just has a big heart and a desire to make a difference. She is a doer – yay! for all those that take action when they see the need! Bachito is a great pup that now weighs about 15 kilos. This happy guy loves to play, does great with dogs and even likes the cat in his foster home. Bachito has lots of energy and would make a great partner for someone that has an active lifestyle. Bachito’s journey to being ready for adoption is coming to an end. He has passed his final vet check and he would love a home to call his own. If you are looking for a new family member that will join you on all your adventures, this could be the guy for you!

Orejas: Adopted! November 23, 2013

Claudia saw a pup wandering the streets of Las Juntas, limping, full of ticks and too afraid to allow her to get close. She left food on the corner for the little pup and watched as she ate every bite, but sadly that was all that could be done. The next morning she saw the pup again, and this time she was trying to steal food from a local grocery store where the workers were kicking at her to make her leave. Claudia stopped her car, opened the door and the pup immediately ran over to her. She clearly knew that Claudia was there to help and she decided she needed it. The little girl had injuries to her leg, chest and head, and Claudia was late for work so she got her to a vet to get care started while she went to her office. Thankfully, Orejas didn’t have any serious injuries, so Claudia took her home to foster her until she could get healthy and ready for a new home. This sweet girl has thrived in foster care and is now ready for her own family. She is about 1.5 years old, does well with the other dogs and just loves to have fun. She only weighs about 4.5 kilos, so she’s just a little thing with some lovely, large ears. When Claudia opened her heart and then her car door to rescue Orejas both of them knew that the little puppy’s life had been changed forever, so who’s going to be the next person to open their door to this wonderful pup? If it’s going to be you, make sure you open it wide so she can fit her ears in.

Fletcher (formerly Zander): Adopted! November 20, 2013

Zander is one of the Mismaloya pups, a littermate of Zooey. He was healthy enough to be left with the owners with food supplies and some medicines when she was rescued. When a couple of friends of MexPup went back to the house to check on the pups and take them along with the Momma Dog to get neutered/spayed, they noticed that Zander was unable to stand up or use his back legs. They found out from the owner that it had happened suddenly a couple days before. They loaded everyone up and headed into town. The momma dog & the other pup were taken to a PEACE clinic for their operations, and Zander was taken to the vet for an x-ray and evaluation. It was determined that his lower back was inflamed but thankfully, no bones were broken. He may have fallen awkwardly or someone may have kicked him his back leaving him too sore to stand or walk. He was given painkillers along with anti-inflammatory medication and his foster family worked to get him using his back legs again (thanks to Brischa & Ted for temporarily taking him in). A week later he was standing up and walking again, wagging his tail at anyone who enters the room. Zander is a relaxed boy who loves his treats, and is still very much a puppy at approximately 7 months old. He needs a little help learning how to be nice around other dogs when its food time (which is normal behaviour for a dog to be very when they’ve gone hungry before), but we are confident that this smart pup will learn his manners. If he got his way he’d spend the entire day getting belly rubs and being cuddled. We need a foster home for him in PV as his current situation can only be temporary. Zander needs someplace he can continue to learn, get healthy, and grow until we can find him a forever home. Please consider volunteering (either for MexPup or with any rescue group in your area). We (and all rescue groups) can only continue to help animals if we have people willing to help to make an effort to make a difference!

Marilyn: Adopted! November 14, 2013

Michelle was ready for a regular day at school. When she arrived, she quickly learned it would not be a regular day. All she heard was "Ms. Michelle, there are puppies in the garden!" Sure enough, hidden in the plants were 2 tiny puppies. Their mom is a stray that hangs around school, and we think she left them where she knew they would be safe. The school agreed to foster the puppies until other arrangements could be made, and that is where Marilyn started to learn to socialize. She had many foster moms and dads at IAB school, and we are very grateful for the love and attention the students gave these pups. When summer holidays started, Marilyn and her brother were moved to a MexPup foster home where they continued to receive the medical care they needed. There have been changes in the current foster home and so Marilyn & her brother Manson need to find a new place in PV to continue their journey to being healthy and ready for adoption. Weighing in at 10 kgs right now, Marilyn is a sweet, loving puppy who is growing into a beautiful young lady. Do you have room in your family for this wonderful girl?

Manson: Adopted! November 9, 2013

Manson was born on the street. His mom is a street dog, and a very smart one. Once her babies were old enough to eat alone she found a safe place to leave them. That place happened to be the school where Michelle works, and her students were very excited to find 2 puppies in the garden. IAB school became the first foster home for these babies, and the students did an excellent job loving and taking care of these puppies. When summer holidays started, Manson and his sister Marilyn were moved to a MexPup foster home. He continued to grow and get healthy. There have been changes in the current foster home and so Marilyn & her brother Manson need to find a new place in PV to continue their journey to being healthy and ready for adoption. Manson is a 10 kg playing machine. He is full of energy and is always on the go. He will be a wonderful addition to an active family who is looking to have lots of fun. Are you looking for a bundle of joyful energy? Then Manson is the dog for you!

Henry (formerly Highway): Adopted! November 9, 2013

One night Claudia, Laura and Chuck were driving home when they came to an intersection in the town of Bucerias. As they approached, they saw a medium sized dog laying inches off the side of the highway. They thought he was dead, but as they slowly drove by, Claudia said she saw his body move. They drove to the next intersection, turned around, and came down the lateral on the opposite side of the highway. They got back to the intersection and saw many cars, buses and large trucks go whizzing by without any movement from the dog. Thus, Chuck came to the decision that he was dead and that all they could do was move the body off the highway. As they approached they were all SHOCKED to see him lift his head. Because many cars were quickly approaching, Chuck bent over and picked him up to move him out of the way. Lucky for all, he was OK with this. Now the second shock set in. Not only was he not dead, but he was not injured and actually was in pretty good physical shape. Why he was laying just inches from the highway resting, is still hard to comprehend. Why he didn't flinch when big trucks and buses went flying by is really amazing. The following day he went to the vet for a check-up and a bath …all was good. They brought him home and his time in foster care began. Highway is about 3-4 years old, but he is a kid at heart, often acting like he is 1-2. He loves to walk and gets along well with other dogs. He isn’t so sure about cats…chasing them is his goal at this point. This 23 kg pup has a beautiful coat and a lovely personality. Highway loves people and is going to make a wonderful companion for some lucky family.

Paco (formerly Ari): Adopted! November 3, 2013

Some security personnel in Nuevo Vallarta had seen a little grey pup running around for a few days. He didn’t seem to have a home and no one in the area was looking for him. They befriended him, giving him food, water and a safe place to spend his time. They wanted to make sure he was ok, but they weren’t able to take him home with them and knew that staying at the guard shack getting scraps of food wasn’t much of a life. Angeles works at this same business and they knew she was an animal rescuer, so they went to her for help. She agreed to take him into care, called us to see if we could help and that is how Ari became a MexPup. This sweet guy is approximately 2-3 years old, weighs about 7 kilos and seems to be a schnauzer/terrier mix (and maybe a few other things). He has an old fracture in his front right foot/leg, but it has healed and doesn’t seem to cause him any problems. Ari is leash trained and loves car rides. He can be a bit grouchy if other dogs want to play when he wants to rest – picture a grumpy old man. Generally, he gets along well with others although he does like to chase cats when they prefer to be lounging (funny that he does to cats exactly what he doesn’t like from other dogs). He is a funny pup that has lots of personality and loves to meet people. Ari has a lot of people rooting for him, the security guards, Angeles, his vets and now he has the entire MexPup family rooting for him too! Clearly Ari is going places! Maybe he could go to your place?

Linda: Adopted! October 20, 2013

When you see a small pup on the street that is dirty, skinny, and in need of help, what do you do? If you are Ted & Brischa, you stop and help. It isn’t that Ted and Brischa (or any animal rescuer) always knows what to do or how to do it. They simply know that help is needed and decide to take action. Once you’ve done it a few times it is certainly easier as you have experience, but all of us started with that first rescue. The one that started it, the one when there with a dog in need, and we simply couldn’t continue on without doing something. May be we were scared, maybe we knew what to do, maybe we didn’t. We just went in with the instinct to help and found our way to start the pup on a new path. Each of you can be an animal rescuer. Thankfully, Ted and Brischa have done this a few times, so they supported Margarita to get Linda off the street, in a car, and on the way to a better life. This sweet girl is about 1 year old and weighs about 4 kilos. She has been in a foster home with both cats and dogs and does well with both. We are working on her manners as she can be a bit food aggressive (after living on the streets it’s not hard to understand where this comes from), but with time and training we are confident that this will not be an issue in her future. Linda is just a little girl that needs a home. We are hopeful that they will find her soon as she certainly deserves a family of her very own.

Shanti: Adopted! October 8, 2013

Marcela was in Las Juntas when she saw a dog running desperately through the streets. She and her friend were amazed by the condition of the pup’s skin. It was a hot and sunny day so they started by bringing her water, but she ran from them crying and howling. They knew she was in pain and it was going to be hard to catch her, so they enlisted the help of some neighbors and Marcela's husband. They weren’t sure what they would do once they had her, but they focused on the first step which was her capture. Once they had her, they immediately took her to Dr. Manuel Peña. They were worried that her condition might be so bad that the only kind thing to do would be euthanasia. Thankfully, although very ill and in much pain, they were told that it wouldn’t be necessary. Marcela later learned that Shanti had been around that neighborhood for a few days. The people from a nearby store wanted her to go away and threw some boiling water on her back, so her skin condition was a combination of mange and a burn that was made on purpose (what the heck!!!)…..that is truly inhumane behavior. Shanti was off the streets and being moved between a few foster homes the first 2 months she was in care. A number of people contributed, each doing a small part so she didn’t have to go back to the streets. One day when Marcela was at Mascotas, she met Carmen & Claudia. Luckily, they had just moved and were able to take on a foster dog so Shanti moved into her long term foster home. There she gets to spend her days with fur foster siblings Mila and Coco in addition to 4 cats. The cats and Shanti are a bit curious about each other. She does not chase or attack them, she simply wants to say hello but as of yet, the cats won’t allow it. Shanti is about 11 months old and is a medium to high energy puppy who likes going for runs alongside a bike. She loves chewing on ice cubes during the hot summer months. Shanti has learned to stay outside the master bedroom, even when the door is open and we know she is ready to learn lots more! We think she is an Old English sheep dog/terrier cross. She patiently (but eagerly) waits to hear you say “OK!” before she eats and she displays no aggression while eating or any other time. Shanti is a sweet, good natured puppy that might still grow a little bigger, she has large fluffy paws, is excellent with children and will make a great hiking, running or biking companion for the whole family. This is one seriously sweet puppy that will spend the rest of her life making sure that her family feels as lucky as she does

Daisy: Adopted! October 6, 2013

This beautiful little girl had a Mom that loved her very much, but her living arrangements changed and although it broke her heart, she had no choice but to give her up. Daisy is a Shih Tzu Mix that has one of the sweetest personalities. This calm sweet girl is from the Duncan, BC area and is looking for a new forever home. She is 7 years old, 9.5 lbs, is spayed and is current with her vaccines. We were told that she had some back issues in the past, so x-rays were done and the veterinarian that evaluated her told us that all is fine. She likely had some soft tissue damage that caused her issues, but there have not been any problems for over a year now. She is a bit over weight, so we are helping her regain her girlish figure through diet and exercise, a step in the right direction. This sweet girl loves to go for car rides and would be an excellent companion in a calm home. Daisy does well with people and dogs but is not a fan of cats. Daisy is currently in a Duncan foster. Please consider offering this girl, a calm, loving, and fur ever home.

Murphy: Adopted! October 4, 2013

We have a tie to the NWT SPCA and when we hear they are in need, we try to help. Their shelter was full, we had space and so Murphy became a MexPup. We know that Murphy was originally from High Level, Alberta. It seems that he was passed around and finally dumped from Yellowknife (“surrendered” is the official term but that is too nice, too sterile to describe what happened to him) which is where the NWT SPCA came into his life – his first bit of luck. He was stressed living in the shelter, and spent his days curled up in his kennel. I am certain that he was scared, sad and wondering what bad thing might happen next. We have suspicions that he was treated poorly when he was in a home, so it’s time to really turn this little guy’s life around. It is time that he know he is safe, will be treated well, will be cared for, will be protected, will have food & water, will be loved, and will be a part of a family….not just something that can be discarded. Murphy is about 3+ years old and weighs 8 kilos. This Pomeranian/Corgi mix is house trained, likes going for walks, and likes the company of adults. He is a bit reserved and a bit reclusive, but upon arrival in Vancouver he went to the fabulous foster home of Alfi (of hair flying fame), Carmela and Pauline……..no surprise, this home welcomed him with open paws and he has already started playing! So before we tell you too much about him, we need to give him time in foster care to settle in and show us who he really is. He may have had a difficult past. He may have been mistreated. Many things may have happened, but we don’t really know. What we know is that he is now in a great place, getting great care and we will find him a great home…..can you help us do that? Please share the story of Murphy so that a special family can see him and know he is just the pup they have been waiting to meet.

Hoping for Homes - Dogs currently available for adoption.(click on the images to see their albums on facebook)