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The Story of the Kitten in the Wall
I'm posting this to get prayers, good thoughts, and positive vibes sent to little Patrice in San Juan. Last Sunday, this little blind kitten wandered into an area in her foster mom's home and fell through a small hole in the wall in the bathroom. She tumbled down 8 feet and has been there every since. She's okay, as in she's eating the drops of wet food sent down to her and mewing to let everyone know she's had enough of this adventure. But so far, no one has been able to get her out! I spent most of my day yesterday on the phone with the fire and police departments in San Juan, eventually yelling (as much as I have the ability to yell) at them to get over there RIGHT NOW and get that cat out of the wall! On Thursday, a fire truck came to "help" and couldn't get her out but then told their chief that they DID get the kitten out safe and sound! Friday morning, yet another truck came out and put a sensor down the shaft to detect body heat and said they sensed nothing. Yet she kept meowing off and on the whole time!!! And now, the last straw for me is that the downstairs neighbor, the only hope to getting to the little sweetheart, refuses to let anyone in his apartment because he just refinished his bathroom and doesn't want them tearing up the wall!!! I told him I would PERSONALLY pay to have his stupid prized bathroom redone but he refused. So I'm in the process of buying a ticket to San Juan to go down there and slap him until he wishes it was HIM in that hole!!! (kidding, but don't think it hasn't crossed my mind!) So now, Liz and Christine of Amigos de los Animales and Liz' husband, Efren, are pulling out all the McGyver tricks they can come up with to get her out. Hopefully I will be able to report a good ending to this story very soon. If not, write to me in cell block 70143 where I will be for the severe beatings of a neighbor and a few firemen!!! Oh, and I suggest to Peggy, Patrice's mom, that she change the kittens name to Jessica in reference to Baby Jessica that fell down that hole in Texas years ago! If only we could get THOSE guys here to save this little darling!
Jess' New Family!
Well, the good news just keeps on coming. Liz Kracht from Amigos de los Animales forwarded an email to me from Jess' new family in Washington state. It sounds like patience definitely paid off for this boy and that he's in the perfect situation for him. Here are some excerpts from the email: Hello Elizabeth! First and foremost, THANK YOU FOR SAVING JESS!!!!!!! I know this sounds selfish, but I'm glad that people were afraid of his "star" as my boys call it. He was meant to be our dog from the beginning! So again, thank you thank you! Our first week with Jess has been so full of love and excitement. Jess has quickly become a celebrity in our community here in Bellevue/Kirkland Washington. During the adoption process, the kids were going to school everyday, telling the kids there, about their new dog that was going to fly here from another country. They shared every icky detail and let me tell you. He has made friends with the neighborhood dogs. No more growling and barking just to get a sniff. They all get their sniffs in at the fountain (our neighborhood has a fountain where all the morning runners and walkers stop for and drink from the fountain. Dogs too.) He has been to the baseball park 2 times now and doesn't quite understand why he can't throw a mit on and play too, but loves the attention he gets from everyone there. I get cold nose on my face (just jumps right up on the bed) around 6:30 a.m. I get up, put my runners on and off we go. Then it's time for morning loves and snuggles as we wake up the grumpy guts (boys). It's been so much easier to get the boys to get up in the morning. Jess has become a pro at licking them to pieces to get them up. He gets a treat for each kid he wakes up. So far, he is on the average of 2. Just my middle son he has yet to break! It was hilarious the first day we dropped the boys at school. He was so mad at me! I thought he was going to jump out the window after his boys. (They have fully become his boys too) He sat on the couch all day. Didn't want to play ball, go for a walk and getting him in the car to go get them was a chore. But as soon as he saw the boys getting into the car, tail was wagging and tounge was licking. Now, he still doesn't like dropping them off, but he knows when we are going to get them. Tail doesn't stop the entire ride there. My husband Jason and Jess go for mini hikes through the woods and on Sunday, in the rain, went to hit golf balls. Jay loved that he didn't have to go pick one ball up. Jess brought them all back to him. I just wish he'd do that for me. He makes me run over to him to get the ball. He's telling me to stop being lazy and if I make him run after the ball, he'll make me run after it too! Jess is staring to make peace with our kitty Gomez. Gomez is not a Jess fan yet, but is slowly realizing that Jess just wants to play. Jess is such a kisser. He loves to kiss n nip at ears. Any ear will do for him. He takes his stuffed toys, (any that the boys have) and will bring it up on the couch and "nurse" on it until he falls asleep. It is so precious and almost heartbreaking at the same time. I really think he feels so loved. There really hasn't been a moment that he has been alone. We left him for an hour an half last night to go to dinner and he did great. The neighbors said they could hear nothing so we assume he didn't have any barking fits. WE ARE SO PROUD OF JESS!!!!!! I just keep telling Jess, "this is Jess' home, this is home".
Support Manos por Patas every time you search the internet!!!
We are now registered at GoodSearch and they will donate a penny for every search someone does in our name! Simply go to GoodSearch and make sure Hands for Paws - Manos Por Patas is chosen as your charity. You can also install GoodSearch as a toolbar on your Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox browser.
MAYA finds a home!!!!
Okay, I'm gettin' a little slap-happy with all these great stories of abandoned animals getting the lives they deserve! But please, don't stop 'em coming!!! I received this email from Catherine who adopted Maya (we had her listed as Maia): "By doing some research on the internet, I found your website and was shocked when I saw Maya's picture in the adopted part of the photos. Because of you and your wonderful work, my husband and I had the chance to adopt Maya from St Hubert Animal Shelter in Madison, NJ. She came into our house and heart on Jan, 13th 2007. She is a very sweet dog and a wonderful companion. She just craves love and attention. Be sure she'll get everything she needs to have the amazing life she deserves. She just graduated from obedience classes and is doing very well. She is healthy and is growing up very quickly. When she first came home with us she weighed 32 pounds and now, 10 weeks later, she's reached her adult weight of 53 pounds. Today's visit with our vet confirmed this was a perfect weight for her. Where for the first 2 days Maya was scared to enter doors and go upstairs, she now roams freely in her home. Once again thank you for your continued efforts with abandoned dogs." Fantastic, right!?!? Maya was taken from the beach by Sandra Cintron and received care and boarding and a flight to the U.S. from Mary Eldergill. They all did amazing jobs to put a very sweet ending - or beginning! - to Maya's story! Here are before and today photos!  
Zamba finds a home!
I received this message from Laurie, Zamboni's new mom!!! Zamboni was originally named Zamba but it was changed when he got adopted. He was rescued by, nurtured, and sent to the shelter in Massachusetts by Mary Eldergill, Liz Kracht and Christine Driscoll who are three of my personal heroes. Laurie says:
"I emailed you a while back about my wonderful dog Zamboni (formerly Zamba) that I adopted in December 2006 from the Sterling Animal Shelter in Sterling, Mass and I just wanted to send you some more photos. Zamboni is a really great little guy and has been a terrific addition to our family that consists of me, my husband and 4 yr. old son, our dog Olive ( a lab/border collie mix rescued from Virginia), and Freddie, Betty & Blackie our cats. all of our pets were rescued from shelters and all are really excellent creatures and we are lucky to have them in our lives. I wanted to thank you again for your incredible work with all of the animals that you help and I want you to know that I have spread the word to just about everyone that i know to raise awareness and to get them to consider adopting a sato or gato if they are looking for a pet. I have been following your stories through your websites and I am amazed by what you have accomplished so far and so saddened by what you have revealed about the way animals are being treated in Puerto Rico."
We are ALL so happy that sweet little Zamboni found himself in the arms of such a wonderful family. He's just an absolutely adorable little guy! Here's a picture of him as a puppy and then see him now!!!  
JESS GETS A HOME!!!!
There is much rejoicing in Puerto Rico and other places by people who love an amazing dog named Jess. He was rescued from Yabucoa beach by Christine Driscoll and Liz Kracht of Amigos de los Animales back in September 2006. He had been dumped at the beach as a puppy with a serious, life-threatening wound - someone had thrown hot oil or grease on him, leaving him with burned skin and his internal organs exposed. Steve McGarva, a rescuer at the beach, stitched him up and medicated him as best he could, nursing him back to health. I'll say more than "back to health"! Jess turned out to be an amazing, playful, nuzzling scamp!!! Everyone who met him loved him and we were all looking all and low for many months for the perfect home for him. Well, on Thursday morning, he was flown to his new home in Washington! From what I hear, Jess spent his last day in Puerto Rico swimming in Christine's pool, annoying her cats, and eating all the treats she would allow! It's sort of a bittersweet goodbye from all of us because we had grown to love that little guy so much. But the sadness is BY FAR overshadowed by our sheer joy that he is now - finally - getting the home he deserves. We all look forward to hearing of his new life and seeing pictures of him with lupines and fir trees in the background! Farewell Jess - we all love you!!!!! 
Beautiful Dalmation arrives at the beach
This beautiful girl, named Alana, was thrown out at the beach a few days ago. She's sweet and friendly and is still in pretty good shape, but that won't last for long. She arrived with some scars on her but it's not clear how they got there. We've contacted some Dalmation breed rescue groups and are hoping to hear something back soon. In the meantime, anyone who'd like to sponsor her for adoption, please contact us.  
New puppies at the beach
Both Ruby and Cindy gave birth at the beach recently. Ruby had her puppies about two weeks ago. We tried to get her when we were there last to be spayed or just taken in to have her puppies safely if she was too far along. Miss Ruby was havin' nothin' to do with any of that! Cindy was dumped at the beach about a week ago and gave birth yesterday to three little sweeties. We're sure Cindy's pregnancy is why her "family" threw her away so they didn't have to deal with any of that. Anyone who is interested in taking either Ruby or Cindy, please let us know - they are both beautiful, sweet girls and their puppies will never be safe at that beach.    
Dogs who need to be rescued from the beach
Sweet Nicole's new life
I received this email from Nicole's new adoptive mom: "It has been two weeks with Nicole....and I must say that it feels like she has been with us forever. She has fit in perfectly. Her and Shadow play, eat, and sleep together (of course, the sleeping is on MY bed - bed hogs is what they are). She loves my kids and they adore her. She cowers at loud noises and doesn't particularly want anything to do with new people but I think over time that will get better. She is always right beside me or has me within sight. I think she is happy. I will forward some updated pictures once I get them developed." All of us are so glad this special girl is finally getting her due. And her rehabilitation and adoption is all thanks to Christine Driscoll and Liz Kracht who put up the money and energy to get her rehabilitated and sent to the breed rescue in Virginia. Kisses kisses kisses to Nicole. 
A very ugly day in Yabucoa
I always hate to bring disturbing images into this blog, but sometimes, it's just absolutely necessary. We need for people to see exactly what is happening there. And these animals, the innocent animals, need to be remembered by all of us. Yesterday at the beach, three plastic bags appeared. One contained the cut-up bodies of two small dogs, there was a hog with its head bashed in and feet tied together in another bag, and another cut-up dog was found in the last bag.    Then two weeks ago, more bodies showed up. Seven dogs had been poisoned. A young horse, with it's front and back feet tied together, was laying on a bed of trash and newspapers. It had apparently been dragged to the beach and beaten to death.   These atrocities happen often at this beach. So just so everyone knows, the rescuers in Puerto Rico are not going to put up with the situation anymore. We are going nationwide on this horror movie. We're contacting major national news stations to investigate and get air time on shows like Dateline, 20/20, PrimeTime, etc... national animal rights groups, such as Humane Society of the United States, are being contacted - I'd love to see a full-scale boycott of travel to Puerto Rico - let this issue hurt the country in it's wallet and then it will listen. US Fish and Wildlife Service has been contacted because manatees are often target practice to arrows and bullets - these are federally-protected marine mammals. Private investigators are being talked to in order to find who's committing these heinous crimes. As the famous line from the movie "Network" goes, WE'RE MAD AS HELL AND WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!". Please help to pass this information to others. The more people who know about it and are outraged, the more we can turn national attention toward the nightmare of Yabucoa beach.
Hurray for Cooper and Bear!!!
Two more deserving dogs left the beach yesterday with Christine Driscoll of Amigos de los Animales. Cooper, a super-sweet pointer mix, was hit by a car about a month ago and his back right hip was either broken or dislocated. It's of obvious discomfort for him as he doesn't put any weight on it at all. Also, Steve McGarva noticed a couple of his teeth were broken off as well, probably as a result of the collision with the car. Cars go racing through the beach area all the time and dogs are hit - some limp away, some don't - on a regular basis. But Mr. Cooper is going to the vet today to have his hip and choppers looked at and get some good care. Christine had said she will sponsor his medical rehabilitation and I'm going to find him a new home. I'll be targeting pointer breed rescue groups first since he has a lot of pointer in him. Now take a look at Bear (aka "Chuck"). Poor little mess has such serious mange that he must be horribly miserable. Well, that will soon be over for him! Christine also took him and he'll be getting good care and get his coat back to the beautiful locks it surely once was. Again, I'll be contacting chow breed rescue groups for him. Yippee for Cooper and Bear and HURRAY for Christine!  
Poster child, Jess, still looking for a home
I received this plea from Liz Kracht with Amigos de los Animales: Please circulate to your friends and family. Jess is the Dead Dog Beach poster boy for abuse, and it's time we get him a home and change that story. We are desperate to find Jess a permanent home. Jess was abandoned at Dead Dog Beach in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, after having hot oil thrown on him. He was left at the beach with the burn embedded so deeply that his rib bones were visible. Steve McGarva, the caretaker and burier of dogs at the beach (Steve has buried over1,000 dogs in 2 years), sewed Jess's wound by hand in an effort to help him heal. When I first saw Jess atthe beach in early September of 2006, Jess still had oil in his fur. We rescued Jess from the beach around late October. Jess never really realized he was injured or disfigured. Amazingly his wound has never been infected. It has taken a long time to heal, but the last silver-dollar-sized scab is finally growing a sheath of skin over it after triple anti-biotics, aloe vera, vitamin E oil, and Jess wearing a beautiful green t-shirt. Jess was the picture of health at the vet's. He was only treated for parasites, and is up to date on all vaccinations, and is neutered. Jess is seeking a particular type of guardian. Jess needs activity, and lots of it. We had to kennel Jess for about 2-3 months before we found him fostercare with a yard, and he wasn't happy about the kennel. He does not do well in the kennel. He gets stir crazy. Jess is a very active dog, and was used to running the beach at Steve's side, tirelessly. Being in cramped quarters is not for Jess. Jess needs someone who is active and athletic and not afraid of his strength. Jess is a strong dog, but he is not unruly. He would benefit from obedience training to help him harness his power, but he does walk well on a leash. Jess should not be placed with cats, other small animals, or male dogs. Even though I have never witnessed Jess with small children, I suggest he not be placed with small children either. Jess does fine with female dogs, however, and would probably be fine in a household with teenagers, especially if they will throw the ball for him, or throw a frisbee for him. Jess would be the quintessential frisbee dog. Apparently Jess likes to swim in the pool also. Jess is a really good boy. He's a very loyal dog, and will bond to his new guardian completely. He will want to accompany you everywhere! I've driven Jess in the car, in the front seat next to me, and he is a very good boy in the car, especially if you twizzle his ears while you drive. Jess is seeking a guardian that can give him some room to run around, a nice fenced yard, or some acres. Jess really needs someone able to give him one on one time, and to be active with him. Jess wouldn't be happy left to himself for long. And Jess definitely needs a guardian who is not afraid of him and his strength, or afraid of his scar. Please help us get Jess a loving home. If you know any athletes out there needing a loyal companion, pass this along to them. And if you have any questions about Jess at all, please email me elizabeth_kracht@yahoo.com, or call me at (787) 455-6058. And please forward this to friends, family or other rescuers for cross-posting. Thank you so very much. OH! Almost forgot. Jess MAY be featured in Traer Scott's upcoming book "Street Dogs" due out in the summer. Traer shot part of her book here in Puerto Rico, and she took both of the attached photos of Jess on her visit. Check out her last book "Shelter Dogs" to get a feel for what to expect. Her last book was awesome, and this upcoming one, I think, will be spectacular. All travel for Jess is paid for. Travel from Puerto Rico to the Continental U.S. is like State to State travel. There are no quarantines or special requirements. Amigos de los Animales will take care of all the arrangements.  
Three dogs looking for help and homes
I received a call from help through the Puerto Rico rescue grapevine. These 3 beauties were found by a couple vacationing in Cabo Rojas, PR. Mama is a beautiful german shepherd who is sweet but a bit wary around strangers. Baby is the cute offspring of Mama (see how that works?!) and is very affectionate and ready to be in someone's life forever. Frank, the yellow male, is a real jewel and very comfortable around people. All three of the dogs are smart and sweet and the couple who found them say they would take them home with them in a heartbeat. The couple visited a local shelter and were told that she could not take them in because they were too large and would be very difficult to adopt. If anyone can take them in as fosters or, even better, family members, please contact Manos por Patas via email.   
Article on Dead Dog Beach in San Juan Star
This article was written by Peggy Ann Bliss, a journalist living in San Juan. Peggy has a foundation called Fundation Valentina which was named after her pampered and beloved cat, Valentina. Peggy has worked with rescue groups in getting information out to the public about the horrors that so many animals in Puerto Rico are subjected to. I met Peggy on my last trip to Puerto Rico, where she attended a press conference held in Yabucoa. She’s a lovely woman and has a great heart. Please read the article below – it’s wonderful. There's a picture of her below - she took Betsy (pictured) and Meiling to her vet in San Juan to get them started on their paths to adoption.
San Juan STAR, Saturday, March 3, 2007 A united front to help the animals By Peggy Ann Bliss Of The STAR Staff Dead Dog Beach, Yabucoa The beach evokes a canine version of “Saving Private Ryan.” War casualties wash up with the tide, and dull, lifeless eyes follow every movement of the invading army. Yet, a spirit of hope and solidarity exists among the [human] soldiers in the battle to eradicate this aptly named war zone otherwise known as Lucía Beach . My visit last week capped a press conference by Yabucoa Mayor Angel García to announce his support for the ongoing rescue effort here by several animal organizations. Two beautiful resorts, picture perfect from a distance, have been marred by the suffering of thousands of discarded pets, and the apathy of hoteliers who have accepted mass eradication and cruelty as the cost of doing business. And while it is hardly unbridled enthusiasm on the part of some residents, a new wind is blowing over these frothy white caps and swaying palm trees, thanks to several local and stateside animal protection groups. Several visitors descended on Yabucoa on Feb. 21 for what was to be a historic, precedent-setting meeting. Among them were Liz Kracht and Christine Driscoll Rodríguez of Amigos de los Animales, Ginny Cornett of Manos por Patas/ Hands for Paws. Before meeting the press, they huddled with representatives of the police, the hotel community and City Hall, coming up with some initial agreements which could make Yabucoa a pilot project, especially in the tourist areas. García has pledged $1,000 a month to rent and administer a small no-kill shelter in his town where discarded animals can be housed while they await rehabilitation. The facility can also be used to triage, treat, and rehabilitate sick animals until they can find foster homes and “forever homes” here or on the mainland. Rescuers have already identified three shelters in New Jersey and several others in Florida that have waiting lists for people who want to adopt animals Puerto Ricans have thrown away. Few communities in Puerto Rico have shelters, and even existing ones can offer a respite to only about 5 percent of the animals they take in. Legislation to create regional shelters and the $1.5 million earmarked for them has languished in the Health Department for the last seven years. Gilberto Torres, from the Yabucoa mayor’s office, claims the funds have disappeared, but García has promised to use his contacts in the House of Representatives of which he was a member for eight years. And as the Yabucoa situation has hit the Internet, the community has presented a united front to help animals. But activists still want those responsible for the killing and and abuse they say makes Yabucoa unique in cruelty to be accountable. “I have never seen the intentional cruelty that I have seen in this area,” said Rodríguez, who has traveled in Costa Rica , Mexico and Spain . “It rips out your soul.” Kracht said $10,000 has been spent rehabilitating dogs and cats, a figure Jeannette Pollard, owner of Lucía Beach Villas, thinks could be better used on sterilization and euthanasia. Pollard, whose resort had its grand opening last month, said visitors do not like to see the dogs, which are dropped off by owners. People, even from other towns, prefer to wear blinders, says Pollard, who has a background in public health. “In their minds the dog is alive and enjoying the beach.” The municipality must remind businesses that poisoning and brutalizing dogs is illegal, says Kracht, while not accusing any of the participants directly. However, she has seen many examples of animals being poisoned, tied up, burned, shot at and beaten. Called to action Rescue operations at Dead Dog Beach began in September when Amigos de los Animales pitched in to help the unsung heroes who have been feeding the dogs – and some cats – there for nine years. Steve McGarva and Sandra Cintrón, who brought the matter to the organization’s attention, “have seen so much cruelty and death it is a wonder they can still function,” said Kracht, a Californian. “Steve has buried more than 1,000 dogs at the beach alone. “ The four rescuers, plus Mary Eldergill, now sheltering 60 dogs in Salinas , were recently honored by Fundación Valentina and Westernbank with the Vita Award. Marine biologist Cornett, of Jupiter, Florida , was moved by the plight of the dogs she saw on her monthly trips to Puerto Rico starting in summer 2005. “Every morning, I petted these sad emaciated dogs and spoke kind words to them, hoping to convey a message of hope, and every time I cried,” she told Best Friends. Finally in June 2006, Manos por Patas was born. She launched the first chemical sterilization “roundup” with Aguadilla ’s Dr. Gwen Davis of Puerto Rican Animal Welfare Society [PAWS], who later trained other veterinarians in the procedures. She also raised $2,500 by organizing a raffle. Yabucoa is not the only place where strays abound, concedes Kracht, but it does have the worst cruelty rate of any town. But with all the torture, burning and poisoning they have seen, the rescuers want to give every dog a chance at a new life, free from unwanted pregnancies and reproductive system cancers, parasites, skin diseases, and abuse. The coalition must still get the agencies who own the land to cooperate. Kracht suggests that Lucía Beach have restricted access, with a $1 parking charge. She also suggests that signs stating a fine for dumping animals be erected, and that there be regular police surveillance of the area. “Police must learn about Law 67 and commit to protecting animals as they do people,” she says. She wants the municipality to demand the Port Authority maintain their dilapidated buildings or bring a lawsuit to have them removed. As it is, they provide a place for teens to congregate and use dogs for target practice.
Then there must be regular beach cleanup and a “positive, poignant ad campaign” to sensitize people to the practice of dumping animals. Cornett believes these battles on the beach are only the beginning of a revolution, and she sees “a future without the intense suffering and misery these animals live every minute of their lives”. She states “ When you come upon a dog who is so skinny his ribs protrude, his hairless skin, bloody with mange, hangs in rolls from his body, you kneel down and gently extend your hand. The dog lowers his head and anxiously approaches you, hoping against all hope that you are a friend, not a foe. That moment when your hand meets his muzzle and his muscles relax, because he realizes that you are good and you are kind, at that moment, your whole world changes and you are called to action.” Peggy Ann Bliss is the president of Fundación Valentina, which helps rescue abandoned and abused cats and dogs. She lives with eight cats, one dog, and an occasional foster animal. Her cybermag Pure Bliss can be accessed on www.purebliss.info. Her e-mail is valentine@purebliss.info.
New Yabucoa stories
The most beautiful girl wandered on to the beach last weekend. She is a full-blood Great Dane! She's only about 8 months old and was quickly snatched up by Steve McGarva who was and is just enamoured with his "pony". Ursula is living in the lap of luxury complete with a pool and a buddy who cuddles with her on the pool float (I'm just trying to picture a grown man and a small horse on this thing - extra air, I suggest!) Steve took her to the vet yesterday for a full check-up and will fill us in when he's got the story. There is a Great Dane rescue close to me in West Palm Beach that is interested in her but I think it's going to be a mighty tough ordeal to pry her away from Steve! :-)   And a less uplifting story is one of the iguana who was found in a securely bound, heavy plastic bag. Sandra Cintron saw the bag moving (lucky for this lizard!) and though I'm sure she was expecting a puppy or kitten to pop out when she cut the bag open (this happens often as a way to "dispose" of unwanted animals) and to her surprise, a full-grown iguana came stumbling out! Kudos to Sandra, who is a self-admitted reptile-a-phobe, for saving this little guy.  
Finishing where I left off
Okay, the world has allowed me a few minutes to finish up about our trip to Puerto Rico two weeks ago. We (Christine Driscoll, Liz Kracht, Cynthia Rodriquez, and Yolanda Torres, and Danielle Woodell) all met with Mayor Garcia, Gilberto Torres (the Mayor's personal consultant), Eddie Lebron Carlos (the Mayor's Public Relations consultant), Commander Corea (Police Chief for Yabucoa municipality), Juan Lopez and Jeanette Pollard, the owners of the two hotels by the beach who have been accused of poisoning dogs in that area. The discussions with the Mayor was fruitful. We discussed the need for movement in eliminating the abandonment as well as murdering (poisoning, beating, macheteing) of the animals at the beach. We told him that there were 10 poisonings the week prior as well as two dead horses on the beach, one of which appeared to have been brought there alive, had its legs tied together and then beaten to death. He was saddened although not shocked. We discussed this as not only an animal abuse situation but public health as well. Aside from presenting our "demands/wishes" to him, he gave us a promise of $1,000 per month in assistance for acquiring and maintaining a facility in which to house the dogs from the beach until they can be rehabilitated and adopted. This weekend, Christine, Liz, Yolanda, Sandra Cintron, and Steve McGarva are all going "house hunting" in Yabucoa to find the appropriate facility. We need a place that's set out a bit from the city and neighbors who might not appreciate the barking dogs. It should have a building or house on it with a couple of acres of land. If the land isn't fenced in, we'll have to do that. We'll get a team of volunteers to assist with putting in dog runs and fenced enclosures in the yard as well as remodeling some of the interior rooms to keep quarantine, sick, pregnant/nursing females, or very young animals. The neatest thing is that one of the long-established rescuers in Puerto Rico, Mary Eldergill, has offered to move from her home in Salinas to the new facility and live there! She would keep up the day-to-day operations of the facility in exchange for rent. This is a HUGE positive to come from the meeting. Anybody got any ideas of possible facility candidates??? The meeting with the hotel owners was less positive. Both of them acknowledged that there are poisonings in the hotel areas but when the questions were raised about the poisonings, neither denied their involvement. In fact, during this trip, we met a man who signed a statement saying that he had witnessed, on 2-3 occasions, a worker at the Palmas de Lucia hotel poisoning dogs. He gave us the name of the worker. I'm working with the mayor on how to handle the situation. I'm afraid the poisonings there will continue - only under cover of night and with the dead or dying animals removed immediately before anyone sees them. On a positive note, of the dogs we removed from the beach, Nestle, Yoshi, and Rico are all in adoptive homes and Drew (pictured below) is at a shelter where I'm certain she'll be adopted soon. 
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