Category Archives: Animal Organizations

advocacy, Animal Organizations, animal rescue, health benefits, love

Our True Nature is Love

I recently started volunteering again at a local animal rescue and shelter El Refugio Costa Ballena in Uvita de Osa, Costa Rica. This organization helps abandoned, homeless, and injured dogs and cats in the Costa Ballena region of southern Costa Rica. My specific volunteer duties are at the animal shelter for a 3 hour shift helping with the care of the cats and dogs. 

After my first volunteer shift, I had wobbly, tired legs (from walking and running dogs), dirty, sweaty clothes (and probably smelly too) from cleaning the dog kennels and playing with the animals, and a heart so full and an energy level so happy I thought I was going to burst! But, I thought to myself, “let’s see how the next shift goes,” as I attributed this happy state to my return to animal shelter work. After my next volunteer shift at the shelter, I again left with wobbly, tired legs, and probably even dirtier, sweatier, and smellier clothes (puppy dogs poop a lot! lol), but my heart felt even happier.

As a reflective and curious person, it gave me pause as to why I was having this enormous feeling of happy. Was it being around the animals again? Being part of a team that focuses on animal care? Or was it getting my 10,000 steps in before lunchtime (lol). Volunteering can make you healthier!

For some, being around cats and dogs that have been abandoned, neglected, abused, or never had a home to call their own, can be depressing and almost unbearable to think about. But, on the other hand, having the opportunity to help animals that are now rescued, safe, and no longer abused or neglected, is a reflection of hope and human goodness in a world where there is so much suffering. 

Stepping into the animal shelter, I could feel the oneness, the forgiveness, and the unconditional love from the animals – their true nature. It reminds me of my own, and all human beings’, true nature and our ability to BE this oneness and unconditional love. Just seeing the change in an animal from one week to another proves love’s effects. Where a dog had been abandoned by it’s family and ill from lack of medical care and wouldn’t even allow being touched by the shelter staff because of fear and pain, to one week later the same dog falls gently asleep by your side as you pet her. A true testament of an animal’s true nature of unconditional love from the gift of human kindness.

Of course, it’s not all sloppy puppy kisses and kitty cat cuddles in animal rescue . It doesn’t take much social media scrolling these days to see the latest headline where animals are on the receiving end of a human’s pain, of a human’s ignorance and suffering. You can tell alot about a human’s heart and a community by how they treat their animals. But there are many MORE good humans out there dedicating their lives to making the world better for animals and humans alike. And yes, there are many instances (more often than not) when animals come to an animal shelter or rescue group where they need time, medical care, and patience to heal from their injuries. But, amazingly, with the right care and attention, it doesn’t take long for the animals to heal (inside and out). 

Getting puppy dog kisses at El Refugio

Now this isn’t a plea for you to volunteer at an animal shelter or other volunteer organization, just a sharing of my recent personal experience. It’s not even a plea for you to choose to adopt a shelter or rescued animal rather than purchase one from a breeder, although I hope you do consider the former. But, if you do consider volunteering your time and talents to a local cause that touches your heart or choose to adopt rather than buy your next four-legged family member, you will have given the world a lot more happy to share. And when we as a society start focusing more on our oneness with each other, rather than our separateness (what makes us different) we will lessen the suffering in the world for all beings.  Using our voices, our actions – together, we are stronger!

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis

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advocacy, Animal Organizations, animal rescue, education

Break the chains!

Recently on a morning walk with my two dogs, I heard a dog crying. Both of my dogs pulled me to the direction of the sound. Sadly, what we saw was a beautiful german shepherd dog tied up on a short lead, tied to a dog house, far away from his home. We used to see this dog when it was a puppy, doing what puppies do, curious and adorable. But, today, all we saw was a dog, with defeat in his eyes, staring at his human’s home, and crying. His chain was so tight that you could see him trying to pull free towards his home. Did he have fresh water, food recently, enough room to relieve himself? I just don’t know. And, I don’t know the circumstances of this specific situation, so I pass no judgment on it, but I do know what I saw and what I heard. It literally shattered my heart that morning. Maybe it was because my dog is also a german shepherd. And he is one of the most sensitive, loyal, protective, and loving dogs. I couldn’t bare to even imagine him tied to a short chain away from my home. His is part of my family.

Tethering dogs is bad! “Dogs are naturally social beings who need interaction with humans and/or other animals.”  This article by the Humane Society gives some invaluable information on this topic. Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!

I remember when I started volunteering at a local animal rescue. A few volunteers told me I would lose faith in humans when I saw how awful humans treat cats and dogs. I didn’t believe it then. And, I do still have faith in humans, but some days are harder than others. When I see dog rescue cases where dogs are left chained on a short leash, away from humans, solely for the purpose of protection of “material things.” Or I hear the cries of a dog left alone, tied up, away from humans, away from love, I ask myself, what “material possessions” are more important than the kindness towards another living being? What material things give a human the right to treat another living being with cruelty, with disrespect? Does this person know that a dog tied up is actually defenseless towards predators? Does this person know that a dog tied up on a chain cannot protect “material things” or “family” from another human being? Does this person know that a dog tied up can become distrustful towards humans, and lose its spirit.

The Dangers of Dog Chaining. “Dog chaining inherently creates a life of misery for dogs who remain solitary and tethered for much of their lives. The practice also creates secondary hazards that have killed or injured many dogs.” This article is an important read on the dangers of dog chaining not only for the dog, but for others too. Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!

What is the reason for inhumane treatment of dogs and cats? Is it lack of education, lack of kindness in one’s heart, or is it a person’s desire for power over a helpless animal? I’ve heard some excuse this awful behavior by saying “it is part of the culture”. But cultures change and evolve when facts and information teach us better, smarter, safer ways of doing things, to improve society, to improve ourselves. When someone gives the reason of abuse and neglect as “it is part of the culture”, I encourage you to question, to push back, and have the courage to speak up when you know this action or behavior is wrong – morally, legally, or ethically. 

Alternatives to tethering dogs. “There are plenty of alternatives to dog chains.” There are so many inexpensive and creative alternatives to tethering dogs. Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!

There are also laws that protect companion animals in most countries, but sometimes they are hard to enforce. Let’s encourage our leaders in our schools, in our churches, in our communities, to fight for the helpless, to fight for the defenseless. Because when we stop fighting for those that truly need our voice, need our help, I do think this is when the human race has lost its spiritual purpose and lost its way. This will be the time I truly do lose faith in humanity. I pray that time never comes. Break the chains of abuse and neglect today!

Blessings❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

Alexis Cress

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advocacy, Animal Organizations, animal rescue, education, love, poetry, volunteers

Dear Animal Rescuer

Dear animal rescuer
this message is for you

I know some days are tough
heartbreaking too
You secretly wonder if there are any
tears left to cry inside you

But, then you see the hope
and the love
return in the puppy dog’s eyes
He was alone and forgotten
barely alive
Remember, how you rescued him?
You gave him food and a safe place to be
Now look, 
he is running and playing
his tail wagging
with his new family  

And then you hear the loud purrs of the kitty cat
nestled next to your leg
She and her siblings
were tossed in the trash
left in a box, wet, almost dead

Remember, you rescued them too
from the garbage that day
gave them warmth and safety
a comfy place to lay

Your work makes a difference
dear animal rescuer
don’t ever think a different way

I would know
because you rescued me today.
Thank you! Xoxo Puppy
-Alexis Cress

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As someone who has worked in animal rescue, most recently in Costa Rica, I know much of the sadness, the hopelessness, that can be felt on a daily basis. When an animal is found tied up in a bag by the side of the road barely alive, or crammed into a box in the trash, or chained to a 3 foot lead left out in the sun and rain, emancipated, almost dead. These acts of neglect, of torture, can leave a heart ripped wide open feeling like there is no compassion left in the world.

But, when you see the light in the rescued puppy dog’s eyes, hear the hope in the kitty cat’s purrs, and feel the warmth of your heart as it mends and grows even bigger while tears flow from your eyes, you know it was all worth it. A life has been saved!

The animal rescuers, and those who advocate, volunteer, donate, and educate for the humane treatment of animals worldwide, you are the true heroes. Fighting for those who don’t have a voice, who are dependent on humans’ actions (or inactions) – whether domesticated animals or animals in the wild – Thank You!!! Everyday your compassion, your determination, your strength, help others wake up, give others courage to speak up, and help make change for the betterment of animals and the world.

There are so many amazing organizations in this world. But, here are some of my favorites near and far (I have many favs!): Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, El Refugio Costa Ballena, Perra Vida, Charlie’s Angels CR, Paws, China Rescue Dogs, Humane Society International, and SPCA International.

Dear Animal Rescuers – Thank You!!!

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