By Stephanie Moore - Volunteer
My friend and I arrived at the Sanctuary early Saturday
morning, loaded with 200 lbs. of donated food, blankets, toys and
treats. I even threw in some lattice fencing I had hauled out of the
trashcan. We followed the directions in the newsletter that Sunny
Benedict, the founder, had sent me. Bouncing along the rutted dirt
roads, I was grateful my friend Terry had decided to accompany me (and
drive her SUV). Eventually, we found the villa, leaning precariously off
the side of the hill, surrounded by chain link fencing on all sides.
There were areas separated by chicken wire, chain link and whatever else
was handy. And each area was filled with dogs. Hundreds of dogs. Big
mixed-breed dogs, little dogs with amputated legs, medium sized dogs,
even some purebred dogs -- all lazily stretched out in the morning sun.
They did not break out barking when we got out of our car; in fact, they
barely opened their eyes. However, a large yellow hound-lab-Great Dane,
sauntered over for an ear scratch, which I eagerly administered. I later
learned his name was Tyson and that he roamed the grounds as he pleased.
The Baja Animal Sanctuary was founded two years ago by
Sunny Benedict and a couple of other expatriate Americans living in
Rosarito Beach, Baja, just south of the border from San Diego. I had
read an article that the San Diego Union-Tribune had written, and began
sending a small donation each month. As a full-time student and being
temporarily disabled, I couldn't afford much. But this woman sent me a
thank-you note for every small check, each and every month. I was
determined to do what I could to help. I knew the conditions these
animals lived in - I spent half my life growing up in Ensenada, Mexico -
and knew she'd need all the help she could get. Housed in a rented
half-built villa, adorned with bougainvillea, the shelter sits on the
East side of the popular Rosarito Beach area. It has no electricity, and
just this past month, they were able to pipe in hot water. All surgeries
must be done by daylight by resident vet, Karina Toledo, who lives in a
small Winnebago on the property. She has no x-rays or autoclave
machines, and can provide only rudimentary care. She readily welcomes
any help by volunteer veterinarians. Runs for the dogs are built
catch-as-catch-can and house many different types, sizes and genders of
dogs. The remarkable thing one notices about Mexican-born dogs is their
sociability -- since most run in packs on the street -- there are few
displays of aggression. Some of the older residents don't even stay in
the yards -- they have the run of the ranch. Each animal has a story -
Cazador, a beautiful shepherd mix, was adopted by a local farmer, but
soon found his way back to the shelter and has never left again -- nor
has his owner come looking for him. Tripod, a precious three-legged
small mixed breed dog, lost a leg to a car, but keeps up with her buddy,
Tesuku, an Old English Sheepdog, quite easily. Stinky and Stinko,
lookalike terriers, were picked up separately in town. A batch of
puppies, thrown from a truck, are thriving and eagerly awaiting a home.
The cattery is upstairs in the villa, and houses
approximately 65-plus cats. Part of what may have been a large bedroom
has been partitioned off with fencing, filled with condos, toys, baskets
and litter boxes. The thing that strikes you, after the shock of the
sheer number of animals cared for, is how clean everything is. The dog
runs are immaculate, as is the cattery. (Having worked for a boarding
facility, I know the amount of work it takes to clean numerous cages,
litter pans, food bowls, and could not fault this shelter in a single
area). The cats mix easily with each other, playing, sleeping or looking
out their open windows. Dr. Toledo separates the ones with rhino or
calci virus in order to treat them, and all are vaccinated for common
diseases.
Here, as with the dogs, is a spectacular display of
genetic variety! One big, yellow tom was lying in his basket, when I
noticed he had no eye. A calico sauntered by proudly waving a tail that
appeared to have been broken many times. Still another tuxedo-colored
youngster was playing catch with a toy, happily. A young shorthaired
tabby, shy but determined to be petted, teased us over and over again to
reach out and pet him. Donated kitty condos, scratching posts, toys and
feathered goodies abound. The kittens play with the adolescents, who
play with the elder cats. One gets the sense that they know they have a
common background, and it has made them agreeable roommates.
But the Sanctuary still has much to do and its needs are
great. Sunny does all she can to provide care for these animals,
including crossing stateside to take them to Mesa College's Veterinary
Technician program for various treatments. Though the Sanctuary looks a
bit ragged and haphazardly built, it is paradise for these animals --
food to eat, loving voices and gentle hands, care for wounds, and a home
forever if not adopted. Which most of these animals will never have.
(Sunny has over 350 dogs at the present time.) Few Americans know about
it, and the local residents, who don't want these pets, drop off the
bulk of the animals. The Sanctuary is also dedicated to a no-kill
policy, unless the animal suffers from an extreme illness, in which case
they are humanely euthanized.
The Sanctuary, though unlike what we statesiders are
used to, with dirt areas, shared bins for food, is stunningly
immaculate. I never saw one pile of feces, nor urine spots anywhere.
Jaime Victorio, the facilities manager, works day in and day out to
insure his charges get the best care. He and Emilio Hernandez work
tirelessly to clean pens, build new runs, enlarge the cattery, and
repair what is broken. Jaime told me he also fosters cats at his own
home.
Sunny Benedict, the founder, has dedicated herself to
providing the only home and steady food many of these animals have ever
had. She is seeking a Volunteer Fundraising Chairperson to help create a
stronger financial base for the Sanctuary, and welcomes all dedicated
help. The morning my friend and I showed up, there was a monthly
meeting. Sunny had notified people by a direct mail newsletter -- and
one person showed up. "You know, she says philosophically, "that's the
way it is, the story comes out, and everyone is gung-ho. After a while,
you never hear from them again". Problems continually crop up -- finding
medicine, enough food and shelter every day can be a challenge. Several
weeks ago, the North County Humane Society generously donated a van to
the Sanctuary. While having a mechanic check it out in Tijuana, the
equivalent of the Mexican IRS pulled over the van and confiscated it.
Despite paperwork proving ownership, Sunny did not prevail. The van now
sits in a fenced yard with other foreign-plated late-model cars, vans
and trucks in Tijuana. No one has been able to help Sunny get it back.
She needs someone (with some legal savvy) to help her with the "unique"
legal system in Mexico, as she has all the paperwork, but cannot
retrieve her van. She had even sold her own car when the van was donated
and has no transportation.
In the Union-Tribune article of January 14, 1999, Sunny
says, "I've actually sat down at the sanctuary, so frustrated, wracking
my brain for solutions, and within two minutes, I am surrounded by all
these furry little faces." "It's like they are saying, please, don't
give up, keep going we need you." '" It gives me the push to go on."
This is one determined woman. With help from her few volunteers, she
will succeed. As a student at the local community college, and retired
from twenty-five years in advertising, I do what I can by creating
awareness of the Sanctuary wherever I go. The response has been moving.
I have had the pleasure of working with an enthusiastic
young woman, Lisa Watson, employed at the local PetCo, who bought and
donated over 200lbs of food, bags of treats, snacks and toys. She
continues to provide support by coordinating adoptions of these pets
through the local PetCo stores. (This is in the process of being worked
out).
·
Another generous donation I have received is 600 pounds
of food from WESTERN PET WHOLESALERS, whose rep, Jim Balsimo, answered
my email plea for help. They plan to offer regular donations and are
wonderful people. Located in San Marcos, California, they distribute
California Natural, Natura, Solid Gold pet food as well as other brands.
They can be reached at 1-800-395-7387.
·
My friend Terry New is working on getting a visiting vet
to help by donating spaying, neutering and vaccinations services. She
also generously provides transportation to Mexico, as my car wouldn't
make it! In addition, she and I are returning in two weeks to pick up a
litter of kittens to bring up here for adoption. The Health Services
receptionist at Mira Costa College, Karen, donated a twenty-pound bag of
cat food. (I am well known at school now because of my word-of-mouth
advertising!)
Adoption of these animals is amazingly easy -- all you
need are vaccination records, which are provided by the Sanctuary - to
be able to cross the border.
Wish List:
Food- especially kitten and puppy chow
Litter and litter pans
Loving homes
Toys
Shampoos, ear treatments, Advantage or Biospot, Parvosal
or bottles of plain bleach
Cleaning supplies; brooms, trashcans and liners, mops,
hoses, rubber gloves,
newspaper for cattery floor.
Carriers or dog houses
Building supplies
The most important donation is one of your time -- these
animals are starved for play, loving hands.
BAJA ANIMAL SANCTUARY
MEX 626 PO BOX 439060
San Diego, California 92143-9060
Or call Sunny Benedict at: (011 52 66) 31-32-49 (This
dials her directly, no international operator comes on)
Or, you can contact me:
Stephanie Moore
2130 Sunset Drive #104
Vista, California 92083
760/631-6892 PST - please, no calls after 8 pm. Due to
my "poor student status" I cannot return long distance calls.
No email available
Go on to "Nature's
Cry"
Return to 15 March 2000 Issue
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