DAWG (Domestic Animal Welfare Group) is a non-profit organization focused on the rescue, care, and placement of abandoned animals in the Costa Ballena region of Costa Rica.

Our mission is to eliminate the abuse and abandonment of domestic animals in the Costa Ballena region. Our vision is to ensure that all domestic animals in Costa Ballena are in a loving and caring home.

Our Organization

We are a non-profit organization of individuals concerned with the welfare of domestic animals in the Costa Ballena region of Costa Rica.

Founded in 2007, we initially focused our efforts on free spay and neuter clinics and have spayed or neutered over 3000 animals. We then expanded our efforts to include rescue and have placed over 1500 animals in good homes. We strive to develop a culture of understanding, concern and care for domestic animals through our work. In 2020, and because of the pandemic, we decided to go back to our original roots and are concentrating our efforts on spay and neuter and education.

DAWG is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue organization, run entirely by volunteers. All money donated goes entirely to the ongoing welfare of the animals. DAWG also receives financial support from a 501(c)3 charitable organization based in the U.S. called Domestic Animal Welfare Group Inc.  (Donations made to Domestic Animal Welfare Group Inc. are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers.)

Vision Statement

All domestic animals in Costa Ballena are in a loving, caring home.

What We Do

We focus on population control through spay and neuter clinics as well as ensure the rescue, care, and placement of animals in new, loving homes.

Population Control

We provide low-cost spay and neuter services in clinics that we conduct in areas where veterinary care is not available or where the population cannot afford these services.

Rescue, Care, and Placement

Since we do not have a shelter, we refer reports of abandoned, abused, and injured animals to a local shelter who rescues them and works with a veterinarian to treat and rehabilitate them. They often need extensive medical care as many are emaciated and have mange caused by stress and a compromised immune system. Many have been tied up and starved; many have just been thrown away. Those who can be cared for outside of the veterinarian clinic are placed in foster care in the homes of volunteers. Our funding helps provide for their food and medical care. All animals are treated for parasites, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered at the appropriate age.

Donations

100% of your donation goes to animal care, spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, and animal welfare education in Costa Ballena. For more information about how to donate, see our How to Help page! Donate today!