Rescue & Adoption
Every animal deserves a safe home. Here’s how PHS helps make that happen.
How PHS Helps
PHS becomes involved when pets are abused, abandoned, or when owners can no longer care for them. Our volunteer rescue and adoption coordinator is Judy Dyne.
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Abuse
PHS first works with owners through education, then persuasion to transfer ownership. If neither works, PHS partners with local police to remove the animal from the abusive environment.
Abandonment
Many abandoned animals become roamers or tourist dogs — adopting visitors for the length of their stay. PHS monitors and intervenes when these animals are visibly ill or in danger.
Foster & Adoption
Because real estate prices are high on the Peninsula, PHS does not operate a physical shelter. Rescued animals are placed in foster homes until adopted. PHS covers basic veterinary care — spaying, neutering and vaccinations. Foster families generously provide food from their own pockets.
Dogs are more readily adopted than cats. PHS has successfully placed every dog in its care. International adoptions are increasingly common — PHS can arrange all transport logistics, with the adopting owner covering transportation costs.
Success Stories
Every rescue is a story of resilience. Here are two of our most memorable.
Ruby
Found in Dangriga near death by former board member Kellie Shuman, Ruby arrived in Placencia with tick fever, mange, flesh-eating bacteria and a dislocated hip. With time, love and care she made a full recovery. Ruby now lives a wonderful life in Nebraska, USA.
Mike
Abandoned in Pomona, possibly shot with a pellet gun and with a broken femur, Mike arrived at 30 pounds with no hair and no hope. After months of dedicated foster care he grew to nearly 50 pounds and reclaimed his dignity. Mike’s full story is one of the most powerful testaments to what fostering can do.
Shadow — The Cat Who Refused to Give Up
During the March 2017 Seine Bight Outreach clinic, a pet owner presented PHS board member David Kafka with a small black cat. The owner claimed it had been hit by a motorcycle, broken its jaw, and could no longer eat. Euthanasia was discussed.
David refused. After consultation with Dr. Eduardo Tesecum, the cat was examined and x-rayed. The diagnosis surprised everyone — the cat was born with a congenitally defective jaw and could only survive on a liquid diet. With a sensitive, loving home, he could live a full life.
David took him in as a foster and named him Shadow — because he shadowed David everywhere. “He looks scrappy, but he is so lovable,” David said. “I will make sure he finds a home that understands his special food needs and will love him forever.”
Trinity — The Three-Legged Dog Who Busted Through Every Heart
Hit by a car and left to wander Maya Beach on a broken leg, a small dog PHS volunteers first named Princess survived on pure luck and the kindness of strangers. A neighbor’s phone call set off a chain of PHS volunteers who eventually found her at Kenny Garrett’s workshop — gentle, starving, and full of fight.
Dr. Cliff Barnett amputated her leg. Candace Feldman posted her story on Facebook. Mandy and Shawn Marshall fostered her through recovery, teaching her to climb stairs one step at a time with Madge, their own PHS rescue dog, cheering her on.
Her forever home came with Gordon and Gillian Kirkwood in Belize City — animal welfare advocates who had always said their next dog would be elderly or a tripod. Renamed Trinity — Trini for short — she became the glue of their pack.
Gillian: “Trini just busted right through. She is one very special dog. Thank you PHS for spearheading her recovery.”
Could You Foster?
We desperately need foster families. Even a few days or weeks gives a rescued animal the stability they need to be adopted. PHS supports you every step of the way.