Paws Abroad

 Chicago-based Organization Helps Dogs Abroad

 By Gianina Scalise
Original article can be found here.

In August of 2010, Chicagoans Imelda and Marisela Corona took a trip to Costa Rica. However, they did not travel for pleasure—they traveled with a very specific task in mind: to help the homeless dogs that were struggling to survive on the streets.

“The amount of street dogs is overwhelming,” Imelda commented when asked about the trip, and explained that the local shelter, San Rafael de Heredia, is doing as much as they can with what little they have. The shelter's main goal is to spay and neuter as many dogs possible to limit the growing population.

In Costa Rica, Imelda and Marisela spent a week traveling the country and offering food to any dog they came across. Imelda recalls many of the dogs running along the beaches and it was one of the few things that offered some relief: “I met so many beach dogs that seemed so free and happy, and that made it better, knowing they had no limits and a whole country to explore."

A pair of strays, who they nicknamed Lady and Tramp, followed them loyally and even slept on the porch of their hostel. It was Lady who inspired them to create the non-profit organization Paws Abroad, which benefits the stray, homeless dogs of poorer countries.

This week, Imelda and Marisela will continue to help dogs abroad in Puerto Rico. From today, April 11th, until the 19th, they will donate their time, food, toys, and medication to Save a Sato Foundation as well as place flea collars on and feed the homeless dogs they meet.

Paws Abroad also donates clothing and toys to orphanages. “Its amazing to see the kids’ faces,” Imelda commented. “Its like Christmas for them.” Though their main goal is aiding the dogs, Paws Abroad wishes to help every needy person and animal they can. Their motto is, “"If giving a dog a bowl of food will allow them to live an extra week, we’ll give them a bag.”

If you would like to learn more about Paws Abroad and how to help, please visit their website here.