San Juan/animals
Jan 10th, 2004, 11:32 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
San Juan/animals
I just read a very disturbing report about the treatment & numbers of homeless animals in San Juan. It was so upsetting, I have second thoughts about stopping off there. IS it just in San Juan?
It seemed as if the people were deliberately cruel to these animals.
I've done my fair share of 3rd world travel & have seen the worst of poverty, but this sounded overwhelming.
Has anyone else noticed the prevalence?
It seemed as if the people were deliberately cruel to these animals.
I've done my fair share of 3rd world travel & have seen the worst of poverty, but this sounded overwhelming.
Has anyone else noticed the prevalence?
Jan 26th, 2004, 06:48 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately, it is absolutely true. As an animal lover and traveler, I found it very very disturbing the situation in all of Puerto Rico. Unless you have a strong stomach and are able to look the other way, I would prepare myself for a very very sad situation on the island. I traveled to PR 5 years ago and was overwhelmed with the sad situation of these animals. Animals are not valued in PR, but, hey, look at how WE treat animals in the US as well. You might want to visit, www.saveasato.org for more info. Just my 2 cents worth.
Jan 26th, 2004, 07:45 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been to San Juan & other areas of Puerto Rico for a weeks stay and twice on cruise ship stops & have not noticed the dog situation being as bad as reported. Yes, there are some strays as in most Caribbean islands, but it was not very apparent. I am an animal nut, so don't think that I didn't notice because I don't care.
Jan 26th, 2004, 12:39 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My daughter bought a dog from the Animal shelter in our area, and it is true the way they treat animals in PR, any ways. They apparently think nothing of them as being living with feelings. They (adults as well as kids) bet on the animals and then throw them and see which of the animals can live the longest. I know, disgusting to us and unbearable, and they don't even know that it is wrong.
Feb 1st, 2004, 08:12 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The stray dog situation is very bad. My wife and I have travelled there 4 times in the past couple of years and have been so overwhelmed by the situation, that we have literally picked up a dog on each visit and brought them back home on the plane. We have kept 2 and have found good homes through a local animal shelter for the other 2.
While I would not encourage everyone to do this, if you are adventurous enough and are affected as much as we are... you may want to try. We have been very lucky and have never been stopped at customs (they once confiscated our mangoes, but played with "our puppy" and wished us a good trip!). We have picked puppies or dogs small enough to fit into a carry bag and brought them on to the plane with us and stored them under our seat. With a simple flea bath in your hotel bath tub and a $1 collar from Walmart, most stray dogs (without mange) will pass as your "own pet" that you brought with you on vacation.
We realize our limitations... many of the dogs are in need of much greater care than a simple flea bath etc... and a dog with mange or other serious disease would need proper care before making a long trip back to the states.
Additionally, one must be very careful when approaching dogs anywhere. We have never found any of them to be aggressive, but you should always use caution with unknown dogs. We have found them to be very docile (with no exceptions) and they really just want food (and water!). While we love helping these dogs, it is also frustrating that we cannot do more, by saving some of the dogs who are in really bad shape. The dogs we have rescued have been skin and bones, but relatively healthy.
If you cannot take a dog home and you are saddened by what you see... spend $10 and buy a bag of dog food at a supermarket and pour it on the pavement to help these guys out. You will be rewarded with a tail wag from a dog who will most likely otherwise have very little energy. Fill a big bottle of water in your hotel and bring it with you on your day trips... these dogs have very limited water resources as well.
saveasato.org is doing wonderful things over there and donations are always welcome I am sure... If you cannot save a dog yourself, I would recommend a donation to their well run organization.
One other note...our experience has been such that we have actually seen more strays in the countryside than in San Juan. Shocking, but true... it is common practice for city folks to drive an hour out into the countryside and open the door of their car and dump a puppy that they cannot care for. These dogs eventually starve to death, get hit by cars (no experience with the dangers of cars), or if they are "lucky", find a store or food vendor to attach themselves to, and survive off of scraps and garbage.
Visiting (or not visiting) is everyone's personal choice. Puerto Rico is a beautiful and rewarding place. Our decision has been to visit and try to make some little differences. Skip an extra round of beers at the pool and give the $20 to saveasato. I have found that this provides for a deeper appreciation of the island and makes me feel better about our time spent there.
While I would not encourage everyone to do this, if you are adventurous enough and are affected as much as we are... you may want to try. We have been very lucky and have never been stopped at customs (they once confiscated our mangoes, but played with "our puppy" and wished us a good trip!). We have picked puppies or dogs small enough to fit into a carry bag and brought them on to the plane with us and stored them under our seat. With a simple flea bath in your hotel bath tub and a $1 collar from Walmart, most stray dogs (without mange) will pass as your "own pet" that you brought with you on vacation.
We realize our limitations... many of the dogs are in need of much greater care than a simple flea bath etc... and a dog with mange or other serious disease would need proper care before making a long trip back to the states.
Additionally, one must be very careful when approaching dogs anywhere. We have never found any of them to be aggressive, but you should always use caution with unknown dogs. We have found them to be very docile (with no exceptions) and they really just want food (and water!). While we love helping these dogs, it is also frustrating that we cannot do more, by saving some of the dogs who are in really bad shape. The dogs we have rescued have been skin and bones, but relatively healthy.
If you cannot take a dog home and you are saddened by what you see... spend $10 and buy a bag of dog food at a supermarket and pour it on the pavement to help these guys out. You will be rewarded with a tail wag from a dog who will most likely otherwise have very little energy. Fill a big bottle of water in your hotel and bring it with you on your day trips... these dogs have very limited water resources as well.
saveasato.org is doing wonderful things over there and donations are always welcome I am sure... If you cannot save a dog yourself, I would recommend a donation to their well run organization.
One other note...our experience has been such that we have actually seen more strays in the countryside than in San Juan. Shocking, but true... it is common practice for city folks to drive an hour out into the countryside and open the door of their car and dump a puppy that they cannot care for. These dogs eventually starve to death, get hit by cars (no experience with the dangers of cars), or if they are "lucky", find a store or food vendor to attach themselves to, and survive off of scraps and garbage.
Visiting (or not visiting) is everyone's personal choice. Puerto Rico is a beautiful and rewarding place. Our decision has been to visit and try to make some little differences. Skip an extra round of beers at the pool and give the $20 to saveasato. I have found that this provides for a deeper appreciation of the island and makes me feel better about our time spent there.
Feb 25th, 2004, 02:34 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PLEASE! You make it sound like everybody is beating animals around Puerto Rico! You can't generalize, since all generalizations are not true.
I happen to live here and are very aware of the situation. But it doesn't mean that it's happening mainly because people are abandoning animals. Remember that a lot of the animals reproduce in the wild.
There is a lot of people here that are pet owners and love their animals to death. Veterinarias have it made here because of all the pet owners. They have very profitable clinics. People spend a lot of money on their pets here.
Also, Puerto Rico is not a third world country. It's a U.S. Territory that receives billions of dollars from the U.S. and has a growing industrial economy. Dominican Republic, Haiti, those are third world countries. Just because there is poverty (like in many cities of the U.S. - same type of poverty), it doesn't mean that it's a third world country.
I happen to live here and are very aware of the situation. But it doesn't mean that it's happening mainly because people are abandoning animals. Remember that a lot of the animals reproduce in the wild.
There is a lot of people here that are pet owners and love their animals to death. Veterinarias have it made here because of all the pet owners. They have very profitable clinics. People spend a lot of money on their pets here.
Also, Puerto Rico is not a third world country. It's a U.S. Territory that receives billions of dollars from the U.S. and has a growing industrial economy. Dominican Republic, Haiti, those are third world countries. Just because there is poverty (like in many cities of the U.S. - same type of poverty), it doesn't mean that it's a third world country.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
julies
Caribbean Islands
18
Aug 18th, 2008 12:14 PM
