stray dogs

On April 22, 2015, we all saw the magnificent but dangerous volcanic eruption that took place near Puerto Varas, Chile. We were all amazed with the beautiful images and videos of the Calbulco volcano, and at the same time were glad to learn that no casualties have been registered as of yet. People have been evacuated from the area because of the health threat the ashes in the atmosphere present.

On April 22, 2015, we all saw the magnificent but dangerous volcanic eruption that took place near Puerto Varas, Chile. We were all amazed with the beautiful images and videos of the Calbulco volcano, and at the same time were glad to learn that no casualties have been registered as of yet. People have been evacuated from the area because of the health threat the ashes in the atmosphere present.

No one knows how a mutt ended it up trapped in the dirty waters of a canal in Cali, Colombia, but what everyone does know is that a heroic man, stripped off his work clothes to jump into the canal and save the dog.

A large group of people gathered around the canal to witness how a man, with the help of two policemen, helped saved a dog trapped in the canal. The dog was hardly visible from the street, the canine was not moving and he rested in the dark waters surrounded by garbage.

We believe that all stray dogs dream of finding loving owners and loving homes, but sadly most of them don’t even get a second look by the thousands of people who walk by them every day. In Lima, Peru, a stray dog received an unexpected gift – a bath – from two men who wanted to do something nice for the dog.

There is no reason to abuse animals, but somehow animal abuse happens daily. In Cartagena, Colombia, two stray dogs were rescued by neighbors and transported to a local animal organization after the pets were found in excruciating pain.

The first dog was doused in hot water and sustained third-degree burns on his torso and front, right leg. The stray was also beaten with an unknown object, and the beating left him with a broken leg (same leg that sustained most of the burns).

Strong rain storms in most of South America have caused mudslides claiming many lives. In Chañaral, Chile, a dog almost lost his life when he became trapped in a mudslide, luckily for the pet, the garbage carried by the slush formed a layer the dog used to walk to safety.

In 2011, Fukushima, Japan, experienced a massive earthquake that damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Anyone living within the plant’s reach was evacuated. Sadly, most people abandoned their pets. Naoto Matsumura lived in Tomioka, Japan, he owns a farm and like everyone in the area, he too evacuated. However, he has been the only person to return to the radioactive town and he did it to take care for his farm animals and the many pets abandoned to their own fate.

Margarita Suárez, a humble woman from Mérida, Mexico, did not run a shelter or work with a registered animal organization.  She was not rich and only earned enough money to get by, however, she never hesitated to help animals in need. Suarez fed over 20 stray cats that came to her door every morning, and whenever she went out, she carried food to feed the stray dogs she met on the streets.

A couple from Pennsylvania were driving on Route 209 in the Marshalls Creek area on March 1, 2015, when they saw a black Pit bull lying on snow, unable to stand on his own. The dog seemed hopeless and if it wasn’t for the couple, the stray would have died within hours.

The good Samaritans picked up the dog and took him to AWSOM Animal Shelter, where staff couldn’t believe the extent of his abuse.

On March 13, 2015, Madrid became a no-kill city after the government signed in a new law making the euthanasia of strays or abandoned animals illegal. From now on, all pets in Madrid will have the right to enjoy their lives even if they have no homes or responsible owners.