Help Tulum Dogs

⚠️ A warning before you swipe — some of the photos are difficult to see. We’ve grouped them together and kept them smaller, but we feel his story needs to be told. The last photo collage are the 3 pups already in treatment.

During our July campaign, when 400 dogs and cats were sterilized, three dogs came to us with TVT (transmissible venereal tumor). Those cases became part of the unexpected medical expenses we took on during the campaign — along with treating dogs suffering from tick-borne disease, parasites, fleas and ticks, and other conditions that had to be addressed before they could safely be sterilized.

And now, as our new campaign begins, we have another one. 💔

A woman brought this street dog from her pueblo, simply hoping we could get him sterilized.

Instead, we met this poor dude — happy, incredibly sweet, full of love and with an enormous lust for life… but an absolute hot mess with tumors.

We immediately began testing. X-rays were done to make sure there was no evidence of the cancer spreading internally, and testing confirmed what we somewhat hoped since it is treatable: TVT.

There was no time to wait. Chemotherapy needed to begin immediately.

Between his treatment and the other TVT patients — two currently undergoing treatment and another waiting to begin — we are looking at at least another $3,000 USD in medical expenses.

That is on top of approximately $2,000 USD in additional medications and treatments we have already provided for dogs who came through our campaigns sick, covered in ticks and fleas, or suffering from tick-borne illnesses and other conditions.

We could have said, “We’re here to sterilize.”

But how do you look at a dog like this and turn him away?

We can’t.

So if you’ve been thinking about donating to us, and/or are one of our fabulous donors already, the time is now. 🙏

Every donation, large or small, will help us continue chemotherapy for this sweet boy and the other TVT patients already depending on us.

He clearly hasn’t given up on life.

Neither are we. ❤️🐾

Please donate if you can, and please share.

❤️ 400 STERILIZATIONS COMPLETED LAST MONTH — AND WE’RE KEEPING GOING! ❤️

Over the past month, together with .tulum with surgeries performed at MiVet Clinic, we completed 400 sterilizations! 🙌🐾 Many of these animals have also returned for vaccinations, and we’re continuing to provide those as they come back.

LET THAT SINK IN - 400 STERILIZATIONS AND VACCINES, 40 MORE SCHEDULED PLUS 60 TODAY 💪 🐶 🐈

Working through the clinic was a great way to run this campaign because many dogs arrived needing treatment for ehrlichia and other tick-borne diseases before they could safely be sterilized. Instead of being turned away, they received the care they needed and were able to return to complete the process.

Between NexGard, Simparica, doxycycline and other treatments, we went approximately 25,000 pesos over budget.

We also discovered 3 dogs with TVT (Transmissible Venereal Tumor), a contagious cancer unfortunately far too common in areas with large populations of roaming, unsterilized dogs. Their ongoing treatment has added another 7,000 pesos so far.

Altogether, we’re approximately $2,000 USD over budget — but we’re not stopping! ❤️

Today we’re sterilizing and vaccinating another 60 animals in Francisco Uh May, a pueblo just outside of Tulum. I’ll share photos and updates tomorrow!

A huge thank you to Gillian and her recovery team, Dr. Edgar, Dra. Marisol vet tech extraordiare Marianna and the rest of the incredible team of volunteers making today possible. 🐾

If you can donate toward these unexpected medical expenses, we would be incredibly grateful. If needed, I’ll start a GoFundMe next week to help cover the remaining overage.

Thank you for continuing to support this work. ❤️

400 last month. Another 60 today. And we keep going. 🐶🐱🐾

Have a wonderful weekend!

ADOPTABLE ZOE IN TORONTO!! 🐶 ❤️

Finding it hard to believe that Zoe has not been snapped up yet! She's sweet, fun, gorgeous, loves her pack friends and all people (and even good with cats!)

She's a perfect age at 8 months old, trained and ready to find her perfect forever family!

This baby girl was born in the jungle without hope and was lucky to be rescued with her mama and siblings - she's come so far!

TORONTO FRIENDS PLEASE SHARE!

There are people whose love for animals leaves a mark that transcends time. Today, with deep respect, we want to thank the family of Angelica Zamora Rios and the donors who matched her donation to Help Tulum Dogs for making this sterilization campaign possible, held in loving memory of Angelica Zamora Rios.

Thanks to this generous support, 20 sterilizations will be performed for dogs AND VACCINES! and 10 for cats, an action that will prevent the suffering of hundreds of animals in the future and continue transforming lives, just as Angelica would have wished.

This campaign is sponsored by Help Tulum Dogs and organized by Alma Animal Alma Animal Tulum / Donate worldwide 🌎 Carmen Torres joining forces to build a more responsible and compassionate community for animals.

🐶🐱 We are still scheduling appointments, so if you know someone who needs this support, please contact us to request a slot.

Thank you for trusting in our work and for allowing us to continue this beautiful legacy of love, empathy, and commitment to those who have no voice.

The best tribute is to continue saving lives. Thank you for making it possible. 🤍🐾

❤️ A story almost eight months in the making... ❤️

Back in December, we rescued Mama Perdita and her six tiny puppies. Their eyes weren't even open yet.

Over the following months, Perdita raised her babies while we provided food, shelter, and veterinary care. By March, they were healthy, vaccinated, sterilized, and ready for their new lives.

Five of Perdita's six puppies eventually made their way to Toronto. Three have already found their forever families, while two wonderful girls—Star and Zoe—are still in loving foster homes, patiently waiting for the right families to find them.

Then it was Perdita's turn.

A wonderful friend in Victoria, BC—whose family adopted three of our rescue dogs before COVID—fell in love with Perdita and wanted to adopt her. Of course, I said yes! ❤️

The only obstacle was that Perdita was heartworm positive, so we had to complete her treatment before she could travel.

Meanwhile, the last of her puppies, Chloe, was still waiting for her chance. I had hoped to bring her to Milwaukee myself, but life had other plans. So I asked my friend if she could get Chloe to Vancouver if I found a foster.

Without hesitation she said, "Of course."

Then came the best surprise of all...

"My sister Stephanie wants to adopt Chloe."

I was absolutely overjoyed.

Transporting dogs from Mexico to Canada has become incredibly difficult with airline confusion and heat restrictions, but somehow everything fell perfectly into place. Perdita's adoptive family happened to be vacationing in Mexico City—the exact city where the girls needed to depart from.

Last weekend, our friend Stacey Stacey Birch es**rted Perdita and Chloe to Mexico City. It was quite an adventure, but they made it. Just after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, both girls boarded their flight to Canada.

Perdita flew home with the family who had waited so patiently for her.

Chloe skipped foster care altogether and went straight into the arms of her forever family.

Since then, it's been a dream come true.

From a mama struggling to keep six newborn puppies alive... to every member of that little family now safe and loved.

To everyone who helped make this possible—thank you 🙏

Can't really say enough how damn happy this makes me 😭 ❤️ 🐕

This week the HTD 400 animal sterilization campaign is wrapping up (the last 14 animals will be completed this week) and the folks coming back for their free vaccines make my heart burst with joy 😊

I'll make another post later this week with more photos of the campaign and our final numbers, but meanwhile HUGE THANKS TO CARMEN Alma Animal Tulum AC. AND HER TEAM + VOLUNTEERS FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN! And a round of applause to the people leading by example for the community and their kids!! 🙏 🐶 🐈 💪

ATTENTION TORONTO FRIENDS!!

Meet adoptable ZOE AND STAR ❤️

At just 7 months old, Zoe and Star are everything you could want in a puppy—and then some!
🐾 Female
🐾 Great with kids
🐾 Loves other dogs
🐾 Does well with cats
🐾 Super affectionate
🐾 Happy, playful, and full of life
🐾 Always ready for a cuddle

They both have joyful personalities that light up every room. They love making new friends, have sweet, gentle hearts, and would thrive in a home with another playful dog to be best buddies!

Potty training started for Zoe, Star has aced it!

If you're looking for a loyal companion who will fill your days with laughter, love, and endless tail wags, Zoe and Star are your girls. ❤️

Could one of these babes be the newest member of your family?

📩 Please message us to learn more about adopting! Shares are always appreciated!

✨ Another incredible milestone! ✨

Our Help Tulum Dogs Foundation sterilization campaign, coordinated and staffed by the amazing team at Alma Animal Tulum / Donate worldwide 🌎 Carmen Torres Alma Animal, continues to exceed every expectation.

So far in just 2 weeks we've sterilized: 🐶 245 dogs 🐱 54 cats

That's 299 animals already on their way to healthier lives. This coming Saturday and Sunday, we'll sterilize the remaining animals to complete our goal of 400 dogs and cats. What an incredible accomplishment!

What has become so clear during this campaign is that these families truly love their animals. Many are arriving with severe tick infestations, so in addition to sterilization, we're also providing flea and tick treatment such as NexGard Spectra or Simparica whenever needed. We're sending many dogs home with doxycycline, asking others to return for follow-up examinations, and today we even began chemotherapy for our first TVT case.

This is exactly why these campaigns matter. They're about so much more than sterilization. They're about improving the overall health and welfare of animals that might otherwise never receive veterinary care.

These are my people. These are the families and animals I want to help. Seeing so many people show up for their pets fills my heart with hope for Tulum.

Vaccinations are provided based on each animal's health at the time of surgery. When it's better to wait, families are returning for their pets' vaccines—and seeing that commitment has been incredibly rewarding.

A heartfelt thank you to Carmen, every volunteer, the dedicated veterinary team, and every single person who has trusted us with the care of their beloved animals. You are making this campaign the success that it is.

Together, we're changing lives—one animal at a time. ❤️🐾