WELCOME to
AKUMAL ANIMAL RESCUE FUND (AARF)
rescue, rehabilitation and adoption
AKUMAL ANIMAL RESCUE FUND (AARF)
rescue, rehabilitation and adoption
Saving just one dog won't change the world but it surely will change the world for that one dog.
Richard C. Call
Richard C. Call
Want to go directly to the adoption page? Click on Dogs to Adopt!
WHAT IS AARF?
Akumal Animal Rescue Fund (AARF) is a fund created to assist an ongoing effort to help animals on Mexico's Riviera Maya. It consists of this website, a dedicated bank account, one person and any of you who open your hearts to these animals! Over the past 14 years I have taken in animals of various species suffering from abuse, abandonment, neglect, disease and injury, and have provided them with basic medical care, good nutrition, shelter, love and attention. Although most of my rescues are dogs, I have also rescued quite a few cats, had an opossum for four years, and also briefly had seabirds and a fox. I was also lucky to have the experience of meeting Tarzan, an caged African lion who had been used in the tourist trade and then discarded. He is now living in a well-known Texas sanctuary.
Osito had been rinsed in bleach and soaked in used motor oil in an attempt to cure his severe mange.
Osito healed quickly with the correct medication!
Badger had both hind legs run over by a van in Playa del Carmen. I actually passed a paper cup at happy hour, and some kind people helped me pay for his surgery!
Badger has been at the Ranch for years now. He runs like the wind.
WHY AARF?
Many of you reading this have a connection to the Riviera Maya, whether from having visited Akumal or other communities, or being full or part time residents. The natural beauty of the area and the lifestyle we love so much attract millions of visitors annually, and with those numbers come thousands of new residents. They come from other parts of the state of Quintana Roo, from Yucatan, and all over Mexico. They come for a better life for themselves and their children, for jobs, housing and a better future.
With increasing human population come more dogs and cats in urban areas and increased population pressure on wildlife habitat. Regard for companion, exotic and indigenous animals in Mexico is not in general what it is in ‘first world’ countries. Many people locally have a limited budget, little access to veterinary help and a scant knowledge of an animal’s basic needs. Dogs and cats are rarely considered permanent family members. When hurricanes strike and people leave suddenly, or when their owners relocate and leave them behind these dogs and cats must fend for themselves Local families frequently ‘go through’ a dog a year, an ‘easy come, easy go’ situation. Attrition is high; disease, neglect, malnutrition, abuse, and abandonment all contribute. The average lifespan of a Mexican street dog is only three years! Yet the level of animal care we see here is far from the worst in Mexico!. The better off the people, the better the animals fare and there is a good amount of employment in this tourist area.
Animal suffering is certainly not just a ‘local’ problem. How many dogs and cats have been left to fend for themselves on the Riviera Maya after a foreign resident left? And how many Riviera residents—- including people with ability...education...financial resources—simply refuse to neuter their male dogs, yet allow them to roam freely? These people profess to love their animals, but consider the issue of reproduction the female dog owner’s responsibility! This philosophy fails completely when you have homeless females wandering the streets and beaches. The owner never sees the suffering females with their endless pregnancies and the litters of puppies who generally die before reaching maturity - of starvation, disease or being hit by vehicles. AARF exists to alleviate, even in small ways, the suffering humans cause to animals here on the Riviera Maya.
With increasing human population come more dogs and cats in urban areas and increased population pressure on wildlife habitat. Regard for companion, exotic and indigenous animals in Mexico is not in general what it is in ‘first world’ countries. Many people locally have a limited budget, little access to veterinary help and a scant knowledge of an animal’s basic needs. Dogs and cats are rarely considered permanent family members. When hurricanes strike and people leave suddenly, or when their owners relocate and leave them behind these dogs and cats must fend for themselves Local families frequently ‘go through’ a dog a year, an ‘easy come, easy go’ situation. Attrition is high; disease, neglect, malnutrition, abuse, and abandonment all contribute. The average lifespan of a Mexican street dog is only three years! Yet the level of animal care we see here is far from the worst in Mexico!. The better off the people, the better the animals fare and there is a good amount of employment in this tourist area.
Animal suffering is certainly not just a ‘local’ problem. How many dogs and cats have been left to fend for themselves on the Riviera Maya after a foreign resident left? And how many Riviera residents—- including people with ability...education...financial resources—simply refuse to neuter their male dogs, yet allow them to roam freely? These people profess to love their animals, but consider the issue of reproduction the female dog owner’s responsibility! This philosophy fails completely when you have homeless females wandering the streets and beaches. The owner never sees the suffering females with their endless pregnancies and the litters of puppies who generally die before reaching maturity - of starvation, disease or being hit by vehicles. AARF exists to alleviate, even in small ways, the suffering humans cause to animals here on the Riviera Maya.
WHERE IS AARF LOCATED?
AARF is a fund, and is available to anyone who can legitimately assist needy animals here. Though AARF is not a shelter, while awaiting adoption most of the rescued animals are presently living at Rancho Mariposa, near Akumal. Akumal is a village and resort located in the southern Mexican state of Quintana Roo between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.