Ambassador Jasper and his team of animal activists give high praise to the Asociación Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal de Costa Rica (AHPPA), which has altered the landscape of animal protection in Costa Rica.  Images are sold as a collage or separately The shelter's efforts do not stop at rescuing animals; they also aim to change Costa Rica's cultural view of animals. Jasper says this is what's imperative around the world.
Jasper reads from their website:
"People used to see animals as their property, like a chair, car, closet. They did not have much feelings for them, thinking that the animals also had no feelings," says Lilian Schnog, AHPPA President.
When animals had served their purpose and no longer had a function as a guard dog, or a mouser or whatever their owners needed, they were simply discarded. Some were literally thrown out on the street. With females not spayed, the population grew and grew.
THINGS ARE CHANGING
From their website: Thanks in part to the AHPPA, the attitude towards animals is gradually changing. Not only does the shelter rescue homeless, abused, and abandoned animals, but its advanced veterinary clinic is one of a kind in Costa Rica. It provides spay/neuter and other services at low or no cost for residents, while absorbing the fees when sterilizing strays.
The clinic sterilizes 12,000 animals a year and treats another 6,000 for injuries. The AHPPA is open to all animals, including cows, goats, toucans, armadillos and parrots. The shelter has an phenomenal 80% adoption rate, and all of the animals who find homes leave the clinic spayed or neutered.
READ MORE ON AHPPA WEBSITE
photo credit: by Betsy Seeton on 8/31/2010
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