Hello all,
Pause 4 Paws has exciting news! This past weekend we embarked on Gotta Getta Gato III. For those of you who don’t know, GGG is an effort on behalf of P4P and local residents and organizations to bring cats from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico back to Minnesota. GGGIII resulted in nine loving cats with untreated medical conditions finally finding the second chance at life they deserve.
In the past, we’ve received many questions about why we choose to save cats from outside our local community. We would like to take this opportunity to share why we are committed to helping these animals, some details about the conditions in Puerto Vallarta, and how you can help support them as they begin their new lives here in Minnesota.
Why Puerto Vallarta?
It is important to highlight that the majority of the work we do takes place in Minnesota and benefits dogs and cats locally. Minnesota is where our organization began, and it will always be our primary mission and main focus. That being said, we cannot turn our backs when we see animals suffering and in need. Minnesota has an amazing number of animal rescue and welfare organizations that do life-changing work for stray animals. Puerto Vallarta’s institutions pale in comparison. They simply do not have the same level of rescue efforts or veterinary care available as we do in MN. Many of the cats we help have serious health conditions that would eventually kill them without proper treatment. This is why it is so important they’re brought to Minnesota so they can get the care they need to live a healthy and happy life.
This past weekend P4P brought back nine cats and more will be arriving later this month. Several of them originally came from the Cuale Island, also known as “cat island”, where hundreds of discarded cats and dogs reside. Most of the animals on this island were once pets until their owners abandoned them. Not only are the animals on the island neglected, but many have been terribly abused and tortured as well. Our founder and several board members have had the opportunity to see firsthand what a difficult life these animals experience and it is truly heartbreaking.
How Pause 4 Paws Helps
Since 2016, Pause 4 Paws has been contributing food for the cats on the island where there were originally volunteer feeders. In 2019 we began paying feeders and providing wet and dry food to ensure that if the cats can’t have a home, they are at least properly fed. Our feeders are very attentive and quick to alert us whenever they notice an issue with any of the animals. For example, one cat from the island, Felix, was found crawling towards the feeders covered in blood. The feeders quickly alerted P4P and approval was given to rush him to an emergency vet. Felix is unable to walk at this time, but we are hopeful there is a chance he will walk again now that he’s receiving the highest quality care possible here in Minnesota. For those curious, Felix is the cat in the 2nd-to-last picture attached below. He’s the sweetest soul and we’re excited to share more of his story very soon! Stay tuned.
As you can tell by the mere existence of a “cat island”, the overpopulation of cats in Puerto Vallarta is a huge issue. Right now there are far more animals out there than there are loving homes that can take them in. The result of this is a staggering amount of animals dying or living in pain, fear, and suffering.
Pause 4 Paws is helping feed and provide medical care to as many cats as possible in Puerto Vallarta and in the states, but we are struggling to keep up with the growing population. In an effort to combat the overpopulation in Puerto Vallarta, in 2019 P4P paid for a spay and neuter clinic that provides free spay and neuter to the residents. P4P has also contributed to many other clinics in Puerto Vallarta and Minnesota over the years. While this is a great start, it’s unfortunately not enough on its own.
The animal overpopulation crisis both in Mexico and in the US is overwhelming. But the good news is their needless suffering is completely preventable by making spaying and neutering more accessible everywhere. This is truly a lifesaving procedure, which is why Pause 4 Paws has placed great importance on it since its inception.
How You Can Help
We are still looking for help supporting these cats as well as our spay and neuter efforts everywhere. If you can, please donate to Pause 4 Paws to help give neglected animals a second chance. Additionally, we are always looking for more volunteers and fosters if you or anyone you know may be interested. Contact our founder, Jill Goldstein, at jill@pause4pawsmn.org. If you would like to hear more about the work we do in Puerto Vallarta or Minnesota, please reach out. We’d love to share!
Thank You!
Pause 4 Paws would like to give a huge thank you to our friends in Puerto Vallarta who help make all of this possible. Thank you to Jessica Montes for fostering and for bringing the food to our feeders each month. She is also our lead coordinator in PV and we couldn’t do any of this without her! We would also like to thank Angelica Barrera Torres, Suzanna Persa, Shannon Beston, and Julie Ward for rescuing and fostering dogs and cats. Finally, we would like to thank our morning and night feeders Cielo and Carlos for all that they do. Pause 4 Paws is so grateful for all of you!
