Help Us Build a Stronger Community for the Animals of Costa Rica

A community-powered effort to connect, support, and care for animals who need us most.

Our initiative began with two volunteers, Steph and Gloria, who came together through a shared commitment to helping animals in need. What started as personally rescuing abandoned dogs and cats, providing food, and arranging veterinary care has grown into a much bigger vision: creating a community where people can come together to improve the lives of animals.

Until now, we have personally funded much of this work, using our own money and resources to cover veterinary bills, food, and emergency care. As we've connected with more people in the community, we've realized that the need extends far beyond the animals we personally find. There are many residents, independent rescuers, and volunteers doing incredible work with very limited resources.

We don't want to be the only people helping. We want to make it easier for everyone to help.

Our vision: A community working together

We are building a platform that allows people to share information about animals in need, including:

• Animals looking for foster homes or adoption.
• Lost pets and animals that have been found.
• Dogs and cats needing medical attention or support.
• Local veterinary services and other animal welfare resources.

Our goal is to create a shared space where animals can be seen, their situations can be followed, and people can connect with the resources and support they need.

Why we are fundraising now

Costa Rica has a noticeable high and low season, and this has a significant impact on animals living on the streets.

During high season, more visitors come into Santa Teresa and the surrounding communities. During low season, tourism slows down, businesses become quieter, and there is considerably less food waste available for the many dogs and cats who depend on it to survive.

Unfortunately, abandonment doesn't stop when tourism does. In fact, this is often when animals become even more vulnerable.

Our goal is to raise $3,000 during high season, allowing us to build a reserve of funds that can help sustain our animal welfare efforts through the quieter months.

We believe this is an achievable goal with the support of our local community and people around the world who care about animal welfare.

Where your donations will go

This fund is intended to benefit the wider community, not exclusively animals rescued by Steph and Gloria.

We know there are many people independently rescuing, feeding, and caring for animals. Sometimes these individuals encounter extraordinary circumstances that are simply beyond what they can afford to manage alone.

Donations will be prioritized for:

• Urgent veterinary emergencies: Serious injuries, critical illnesses, and unexpected medical situations requiring significant treatment costs.
• High-cost medical cases: Animals requiring extensive veterinary care, surgery, hospitalization, or ongoing treatment that would otherwise be financially out of reach.
• Community food support: Purchasing dog and cat food for vulnerable street animals, particularly during low season.
• Exceptional rescue situations: Helping independent rescuers and community members facing particularly difficult cases involving neglected, abandoned, or seriously ill animals.

How community assistance works

We want to be transparent about the purpose and limitations of this fund.

Although our platform allows anyone to share an animal in need, this does not mean every post will qualify for financial assistance.

Our donation fund is limited, and we cannot guarantee financial support for every animal or veterinary expense. We will prioritize cases based on urgency, severity, financial need, and the funds available at the time.

Our intention is to help with exceptional circumstances and significant expenses that individuals would struggle to manage alone, rather than cover routine veterinary visits, everyday pet expenses, or the ongoing costs of every animal in the community.

Whenever possible, we will review the situation, communicate directly with the person requesting assistance, and arrange support toward the relevant veterinary or food expenses.

Transparency and accountability

We want people to feel confident knowing where their contributions are going.

We intend to share updates about the animals helped, the care provided, and how donations are being spent. We will keep records of expenses and prioritize responsible distribution of funds.

This is a community fund, and our commitment is to use it for the animals and the communities it was created to serve.

Be part of something bigger

We are two volunteers who started helping animals because we couldn't ignore the need around us. We have personally funded as much as we could, but we know that lasting change requires more than two people.

We want to build a network of people who care, who are willing to help, and who believe that every animal deserves to be seen, helped, and loved.

Whether you donate, share information, offer a foster home, or help an animal in your neighborhood, you are part of this effort.

Every contribution helps us prepare for the next animal who needs us.

Together, we can build a community where no animal is forgotten.

With gratitude,

Steph & Gloria PAWS Costa Rica