Our March-April fundraising partner is Paws Without Borders, a 501c3 dog rescue based in Tucson. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs throughout the desert southwest and northern Mexico (Sonora). They are completely volunteer based, which means that 100% of every donation goes straight into the care of their animals. Read about two of their rescues, Courage and Hope:
Two helpless puppies scrounging for food in Hermosillo, Mexico, wandered into a construction site and tragically fell into a scalding hot tar pit. The thick hot, sticky, black substance molded to their bodies, completely trapping them there for nearly a full day. These innocent babies were in a state of panic and shock from the pain, yelping until a construction worker discovered them and alerted us to their dire situation. Our Mexico team, run by Vidas con Causa, arrived to a heartbreaking scene. The puppies were in unimaginable pain; their cries of agony were haunting. Yet, in the midst of this horror, an incredible group of people from our rescue team and a kind-hearted elderly neighbor, as well as volunteers from rescue groups in Hermosillo, rallied together to save these innocent lives. It took nearly an entire day to clean the little dogs up, but they miraculously survived. We named them Courage and Hope.
Hope was hospitalized for a week, requiring round the clock care for her skin burns and unfortunately her body was unable to carry her through and she died ten days after their rescue. Courage required constant around the clock care as well; we hired a vet tech to live at the Mexico shelter to help us once Courage left the shelter. This case required immense human and monetary resources. Total, we spent over $3,000 bringing Hope and Courage to safety, money raised through crowdfunding and our annual yard sale.
Today, Courage is a thriving member of his adopted family, living his best life with several dog and cat friends, and helping his dad throw pottery. Witnessing such an awful scene is extremely difficult, but it also reinforces why we do what we do. So few are willing to step into these dire situations, but our team faces them head-on, knowing they are often the only hope these animals have.
You can help Paws Without Borders save more dogs like Courage and Hope by purchasing one of a kind Beading Divas bracelets. Cost per bracelet is $20. Bracelets make great gifts any time of year! The best selection is online via Etsy but in Tucson you can also buy bracelets at Fuchsia Spa in La Encantada Shopping Center, Bark’n Berry Dog Ice Cream Parlor, and Silver Sea Jewelry in the historic 4th Avenue Shopping District (Silver Sea is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon-6pm.)
