A Dog’s New Life AC – Rescue and Shelter
We recently ran into Lynn Bailey, Board Member and volunteer extraordinaire with A Dog’s New Life AC (ADNL). This non-profit organization has a fabulous website, with more information than I can relay here. Please read about their passionate Board Members, the history of the organization, and how you can help: adogsnewlife.org
Lynn invited us to visit the shelter and suggested we come the day of their scheduled Spay and Neuter Clinic. We did!
Upon arriving, I was moved by how many volunteers showed up to help the dogs as they recover. There were those who already volunteer for ADNL, and some who took time out of their vacation to assist and support each dog emerging from the anesthesia.
We located Lynn, who was very busy at one of the recovery tables and she pointed out Karen Chesson, another Board Member, who gave us a tour of the property. Karen started coming to the shelter four years ago, and now spends time there at least six days a week. She says she doesn’t have to, “the staff does an amazing job,” but she loves to interact with the shelter’s playful residents.
Karen shared a lot of information about the shelter as we moved along. This location is only for larger dogs. It is not a regular shelter, in that, they exist to care for dogs in need of medical attention. The goal is to nurse each dog to good health, then adopt them out to loving new owners. There are plenty of healthy dogs available for adoption right now!
ADNL is Nayarit’s largest dog shelter, caring for about 165 dogs, either at the shelter near Bucerias or at Puppyland in Jarretaderas, or through their foster home program. Solely funded from donations and adoptions, the board members, through necessity, must make decisions based on a best plan of action for each dog and the shelter, weighing space and resources against daily needs. Sadly, they are forced to turn away dogs every day.
Between A Dog’s New Life and Puppyland, a total of ten people are employed. One young person comes every day after school to help out, and one of the employees lives right at ADNL, so the dogs and property are never unattended.
I met Armando, who tells me he has been working at ADNL for about a year. When a dog first comes to the shelter Armando makes them feel comfortable. He cleans and soothes them, gives medications, and helps the new arrival to socialize with the others. He really loves the dogs, and does a little bit of everything, like feeding, walking and playing with them to help keep them active. Along with working at ADNL, Armando also attends college.
I spent a few minutes petting and patting. The dogs really are delightful. Happy and affectionate, with plenty of tail wagging!
The dogs are separated at times, to allow more space for groups of them to run and play. Or, sometimes a dog is kenneled because he is a senior, or not healthy enough, or new to the shelter with unknown characteristics.
They are definitely well loved, one and all!
How To Help
VOLUNTEER – ADNL is always grateful for volunteers. There’s a nice variety of responsibilities such as dog walking, driving dogs to medical appointments, helping at the shelter, caring for dogs during spay and neuter clinics, fundraising, or fostering a dog in your home. ADNL is currently seeking a person to take charge as a Fundraising Coordinator… a rewarding task for someone this upcoming season…maybe even you!
FINANCIAL SUPPORT – Funds come solely from donations and adoptions. The biggest expenses are food and medications, major surgeries, and clinics every four to five weeks. Incidentals do add up, including gas and travel expenses. ADNL also runs a Community Initiative program that assists local families who cannot afford veterinarian fees.
Lynn advises the Fredrick Family Foundation and the Mahoney Foundation were big supporters last year, and there are “a lot of supporters that have been with us since the start. They give $25, $50, $100 dollars or even $500 pesos, but they are consistently supporting month after month. They are the heart and soul of the rescue.”
