Category: News

Max unexpectedly entered my life last week during a trip to Inn House, a desperately poor neighborhood in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I (Maia – Pet Project Rescue), Laura (Coco’s Animal Welfare), and Alex (Saving Lives) were together for a week long spay/neuter project, and as we were navigating the bumpy dirt road to pick up twenty dogs and cats for our weekly free spay/neuter clinic – a vital service for this community lacking electricity, running water, and paved roads – a small, distressed dog caught our eye.

We turned back, inquiring about the dog’s owner. Matted fur encased his body, and he moved with a slow, uncomfortable stumble. Our initial hope was to get permission for his neuter and grooming, but we learned his previous owners had abandoned him when they moved. Neighbors claimed he was untouchable, though his filthy, neglected state likely deterred them from trying.

Surprisingly, without hesitation, Max allowed us to approach and lift him into our vehicle for a trip to the vet. Initially, there was some confusion as to who was responsible for him, so we assured everyone he would be coming back. In this area, dogs are often “community dogs,” cared for by everyone but without a specific owner. We prioritize respecting community wishes; trust is essential, and we never want to be perceived as taking animals without consent, whether for spay/neuter or rescue.

At the clinic, Max was vaccinated, dewormed, tested for common tick-borne illnesses in Mexico (Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis, for which he tested positive and began antibiotics), and examined. He was slightly underweight, and we planned to provide food to the neighbor who seemed to care for him. Max rested well at the vet despite the clinic noise, and the next day, he was neutered alongside the other animals.

While still sedated, we took him to Nancy, a volunteer groomer. This skilled animal lover shaved Max completely; not an inch of his fur was knot-free. Freed from the matted burden, he seemed like a different dog, revealing expected dermatitis but looking much improved!

Returning Max to the community worried me due to his ongoing grooming needs. However, it also presented an opportunity to educate residents and offer resources, as awareness of such needs isn’t universal, and we knew Nancy would offer ongoing grooming care.

After collecting the other animals from the vet, we returned to Inn House. The initial neighbor was gone, and another agreed to keep Max inside to recover, though she noted his dislike for confinement and his habit of barking. We emphasized the necessity of indoor rest for at least the night, which she assured us she’d do. She and other neighbors reiterated that Max wasn’t their dog, and no one intended to adopt him. Leaving him made us all feel uneasy, but we had no alternatives – our hotel prohibited animals, local rescues were full (as they always are), and the vet wasn’t a boarding facility. We left food and his medication and planned to check on him the next day.

We drove through the neighborhood the next day without seeing Max. We went back again the following day and found him a block away, lying in the street. We hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him and had been frantically searching for a solution that would allow us to take him in. After hours of calls, research into international animal transport, and contacting a local boarding facility, we had a plan in place. Seeing Max vulnerable in the street solidified our resolve to rescue him. He greeted us with a happy tail wag, and we scooped him up and took him back to the vet, who shuffled things around to make space for him for the night.

Finally, we found a local boarder with space (thanks to Lia!) and, most importantly, an adoptive home! Max will never again face life on the streets, loneliness, or hunger. Due to rabies vaccination regulations, he’ll fly with his new mom, Mary, to Minnesota on May 10th. We eagerly anticipate sharing updates on Max’s new pampered life!

While rescue is crucial, our passion lies in spay/neuter programs, addressing the root cause of companion animal overpopulation. Dogs like Max end up homeless because shelters and rescues are overwhelmed. Our clinics prevent future generations of homeless animals and free up space for those needing immediate help. You can support this vital work by donating to our Paws Across Borders fundraiser today. SPCA International will match every donation through April 30. Just $25 can spay or neuter an animal in need, improving their health and giving them a second chance in life just like Max!

Thank you to everyone who has helped me and Max on this journey: Alex, Laura, Lia, Paco, Alicia, Mary, and everyone at Coco’s Animal Welfare!