Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ThesetravellingclinicsarejustoneofthesignificantwaysPAWSismakingadifferen-
ce around Manuel Antonio and Quepos. By visiting remote villages the group gives those
who can't usually transport their animals a chance to have them 'fixed,' and at a fraction
of the usual cost. “These villages offer us a school house or a church social hall and all the
families come around,” John says. “We'd like to think that charging pet owners' a nominal
fee for spay/neutering services gives them a sense of responsibility, but at the same time we
make it affordable. They see how we care for their animals and they leave with knowledge
of what they should be doing too.”
Such proactive work accounts for only half of the services provided by PAWS. They
also run a local shelter, where they can house up to 15 animals, but with a network of ap-
proved foster families, there are often more animals in their system. John admits that there
is sometimes a risk that people who foster will become overly attached and want to adopt
as well, but he doesn't mind.
“We all have!” Valerie adds, and it's true. Of the five people responsible for PAWS,
each has at least one rescued cat or dog in their family since becoming a volunteer.
Being a non-profit means PAWS relies on the generosity of the community to sustain
their work. Locals get involved with PAWS fundraising events. “We have two fundraisers
a year,” John says. “Battle of the Bands is a daytime event in January. BenJammin', in
