I rescued two emaciated, broken dogs, Kira and Mariposa, on the streets of Roatan, Honduras. They were starving, sick, and barely hanging on, and shockingly, Kira turned out to be pregnant. I’m currently in the middle of a road trip with my own two pets. I had no plan to rescue dogs. But I couldn’t walk away from them.
This week, Kira almost died giving birth to 10 puppies. One of the puppies got stuck half in/half out and Kira just lay there motionless. I had to physically pull the puppy out of her and she was bleeding profusely.
I have never seen a birth before, I frantically used a sheet and a travel bin as a stretcher to load her and the puppies in my car. I drove as fast as I could to an emergency vet. On the way to the vet she gave birth to one more puppy who died on the journey.
The vet told me she needed a blood transfusion immediately and that is the only reason she is alive right now. Kira received a second blood transfusion and is in critical condition and needs ongoing treatment. She is estimated to be 3 years old and deserves a chance at a healthy future. Seven puppies survived (out of 10) and three passed in the days that followed. We are desperately trying to keep the remaining four alive.
It has been so exhausting physically and emotionally and the costs are exorbitant. I have already spent over $2,000 trying to get them stable. I cannot continue without help.
Kira and Mariposa's Condition
After I found Kira and Mariposa, I took both dogs to a vet in Roatan. The diagnosis was devastating, both malnourished, severely underweight, heartworm, Ehrlichia, severe anemia, skin disease, and parasites. Their teeth are chipped, jagged and worn down from eating rocks and whatever trash they could find to survive.
Mariposa has swollen joints, chronic pain, and septic arthritis from a fractured leg that had never been treated. She is missing half of an ear and a chunk of the other, bullied by the other dogs in the neighborhood.
But the worst news of all... Kira was pregnant. Both dogs had improved but the pregnancy has taken a huge toll on Kira's already weak condition. This week, she went into labor and nearly died.
The Latest
- Kira is in critical condition after two emergency blood transfusions and needs ongoing treatment
- She cannot nurse her puppies; so we are bottle feeding the newborns every 2 hours, around the clock
- Mariposa is still in pain from an untreated fractured leg and needs continued care and ongoing treatment
This is still an active emergency.
We also urgently need help with fostering. The local shelters here are extremely overwhelmed. Many have hundreds of dogs already and cannot take in more.
If you are in Honduras or nearby and know anyone who can help foster, adopt, or connect us to a rescue (that spays and neuters before adopting the puppies out) please let me know.
We need safe places for these puppies and for Kira and Mariposa to recover.
What your donation will do
Every dollar goes directly to their care or to the rescue organization who supports these efforts:
- Emergency and ongoing vet care for Kira including ICU support, transfusions, treatment, and eventual surgery
- Puppy formula and feeding supplies for the newborns every 2 hours for weeks
- Veterinary care for the puppies including checkups, vaccines, future spay surgeries
- Treatment and recovery for Mariposa including pain management and long term care
About me
My name is Ivette. I am not a rescue organization. I am a tourist in Honduras who saw these two dogs and could not leave them to die. I do not want to leave until Kira is stable, the puppies are safe, Mariposa is cared for, and I have found them all proper homes, but I cannot be here longterm.
How you can help
If you can donate, even a small amount makes a difference.
If you cannot, please share this.
If you know anyone in Honduras who can help foster or adopt, please reach out.
I am hoping we can save them and these puppies.
Kira and Mariposa are the sweetest, most trusting dogs I have ever met. Even though they have been neglected their whole life, they love people and deserve a second chance at life. They have already fought so hard to be here.