The Mascotas de la Costa Maya AC Foundation, led by Flor María Suárez Bolio, is struggling to maintain the well-being of rescued animals both on the coast and in Mérida due to a lack of donations and a growing demand for care.
Suárez Bolio, who has dedicated 22 years to animal rescue and eight years leading the foundation, is facing a health problem that has prevented her from performing the necessary work to care for companion animals. She has therefore called on the community to strengthen its support for the dogs and cats she shelters.
“The work is 24/7, there is no rest, and because of this, I got pneumonia. I haven’t been able to attend to the foundation as I would have liked, and the team has taken care of everything,” she commented.
Currently, the foundation houses 48 dogs at its headquarters in Mérida, located in the México Oriente neighborhood, and 15 at its shelter in Chelem. However, maintaining the spaces and feeding the animals have become complicated due to a lack of resources.
“The problem lies in the lack of awareness about donating. Not only food, but also basic cleaning supplies like brooms, mops, and squeegees,” said Suárez Bolio.
One of the challenges is the shortage of food. Although they recently managed to acquire five bags with the help of donations, at least 16 bags are needed to cover the basic needs of the rescued dogs.
“Many people commit to donating, but in the end, they don’t follow through. If anyone wants to help, we can collect food,” she indicated.
In addition to food, the foundation requests support for donations of sheets, towels, gently used clothing, as well as cleaning products, and wet food for dogs and cats. Another challenge is the low adoption rate, especially for adult dogs, which are the ones they shelter the most.
“Many people look for puppies, but when they find out a dog is 8 or 10 years old, they lose interest. There is a lack of a culture of responsible adoption,” lamented Suárez Bolio.
The foundation is open to volunteers and offers awareness-raising talks on animal abuse in schools and universities, emphasizing that education is the key to preventing abuse.
“We don’t just rescue animals; we also promote respect and animal welfare,” she emphasized. Those who wish to join this cause can visit the foundation Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., located at 215 20th Street between 23rd and 25th Streets in the México Oriente neighborhood.
TYT Newsroom
The post Activists Request Resources to Support Rescued Dogs and Cats first appeared on The Yucatan Times.