Through Jiska Lemmens, a former colleague at KLM and Transavia, we came into contact with El Refugio Costa Ballena in Costa Rica. Jiska is the Project Manager for this initiative at Wings for Animals and, whenever her work allows, travels to the shelter as often as possible as a volunteer to support the animals and the team on site. Thanks to her dedication, we’ve had the opportunity to learn about the impressive work carried out here every day.
In the Uvita coastal region, on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, El Refugio Costa Ballena works every day to help dogs and cats that have nowhere else to go. The organization was founded in 2017 in response to an urgent local need: the growing number of stray and abandoned animals that, without help, had little chance of a better life.
An organization run by volunteers
What began as a small-scale initiative has grown into a dedicated nonprofit organization that runs entirely on volunteers. They are responsible for both the day-to-day care and the organization and management. The team consists of a small core group of staff, supplemented by a rotating group of local and international volunteers. On average, 10 to 20 volunteers are active each day during morning and afternoon shifts. In addition, volunteers contribute to social media, adoption counseling, volunteer scheduling, and various organizational tasks.
Childcare and Daily Care
El Refugio currently takes in an average of about 40 dogs and cats. These are often animals that were found sick, injured, or severely neglected. In addition, the organization works with foster families who temporarily care for a dog until it is ready for adoption. Since its founding, hundreds of animals have been given a second chance through El Refugio.
Every day, the volunteers provide food, medical care, clean the enclosures, and help the animals socialize. It is precisely this personal attention that is invaluable. It helps the animals regain their trust in people and increases their chances of a successful adoption.
More Than Just Childcare
El Refugio looks beyond simply providing shelter for animals. The organization also supports local communities, provides education on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, and offers assistance, basic care, and advice whenever possible. In doing so, they work not only to improve the welfare of individual animals but also to bring about a sustainable improvement in animal welfare throughout the region.
Sterilization and Prevention
An important part of their work is reducing the number of stray animals. That is why El Refugio regularly organizes spaying and neutering campaigns, often free of charge or at a greatly reduced rate. Since its founding, these campaigns have helped more than 6,000 dogs and cats.
This preventive approach aligns perfectly with Wings for Animals’ vision: not only to rescue animals that need help right now, but also to invest in sustainable and animal-friendly solutions to prevent future animal suffering.
Together, we make a difference
With limited resources but an enormous amount of dedication and perseverance, El Refugio Costa Ballena shows what is possible when people work together to help animals that would otherwise be forgotten. Every day, they are building a better future for dogs and cats in their region.
