Building a shelter for Riviera Rescue
Donation protected
*** EDIT: We've raised over $5,000 in the first few hours, thank you everyone! I am updating the goal to $10K... let's dream big!!! $10K will cover construction and outstanding vet bills, and help Riviera Rescue spend a less stressful holiday season... ***
This fundraiser is to help build a physical shelter for Riviera Rescue in Mexico. With hurricane season in full swing, the concrete roof is the most urgent and costly part of this undertaking ($4,000-5,000). Any additional funds will be used for the rest of the construction, to buy food for the dogs, and/or to pay outstanding bills at the vet (currently about $3,000). If we can reach $10,000, we will be putting Riviera Rescue in a very good spot for the rest of the year!
I met Mateo back in January 2018, and I have been supporting and following him ever since. We've become friends. He is kind, funny as hell, dedicated like no one else to rescuing dogs in the harsh streets of Mexico. He focuses on dogs who are in the worst shape, those who nobody dares touching. His dogs have been horrifically abused, are severely ill. He promises to help them, or at least hold their paw while they cross the rainbow bridge in the safety of a vet clinic.
When I met Mateo, he operated in the jungle, without shelter, electricity or basic comfort. He lived in a tiny room on the compound, slept in a hammock, gave everything he had to his rescues. His big dream was to own a piece of land and build his very own shelter, a place that would be safer for the dogs and where he could live.
The good news is that Mateo has recently secured a land, and has started building the shelter! Mateo has been working nonstop on the construction site. He has already moved 36 dogs to the new place (he currently cares for 48 dogs).
The construction company he works with understands his situation and have developed a payment plan for him. But now, the biggest and most urgent expense needs to happen: about $5,000 for the concrete roof. I would love to take care of that for Mateo, so that he only has to worry about his dogs and himself, not how he's going to pay for it all.
It's hurricane season in Mexico. The construction site has already been hit twice in the past weeks, and the structure suffered minor damage. In a few days, a 3rd big hurricane is expected to hit. It's a race against the clock and the elements. Some dogs have been moved to foster homes, and the rest will stay with Mateo and brave the storm.
Your donation can help secure payment for the roof, as Mateo and his team focus on building it as fast and safely as possible.
It's been an honor knowing and supporting Mateo for the past 3 years. I am excited to keep accompanying him as he takes steps for a better life for his rescues and for himself (he deserves a proper home too!).
Please help us make the Riviera Rescue shelter a reality!
Much love!
Sophie
Mateo and I during a visit in NYC, where he was honored for his rescue efforts:
-------------------------
Riviera Rescue is a Mexican non-profit organization committed to Rescuing, Rehabilitating & Re-homing abused dogs in the Riviera Maya, México. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram .
Sophie Gamand is an award-winning artist and animal advocate using her platform to speak for at-risk dogs around the globe. To be informed of her projects and support Sophie's work, sign up for her newsletter via her website , follow her Instagram or Facebook , or support her via Patreon.
This fundraiser is to help build a physical shelter for Riviera Rescue in Mexico. With hurricane season in full swing, the concrete roof is the most urgent and costly part of this undertaking ($4,000-5,000). Any additional funds will be used for the rest of the construction, to buy food for the dogs, and/or to pay outstanding bills at the vet (currently about $3,000). If we can reach $10,000, we will be putting Riviera Rescue in a very good spot for the rest of the year!
I met Mateo back in January 2018, and I have been supporting and following him ever since. We've become friends. He is kind, funny as hell, dedicated like no one else to rescuing dogs in the harsh streets of Mexico. He focuses on dogs who are in the worst shape, those who nobody dares touching. His dogs have been horrifically abused, are severely ill. He promises to help them, or at least hold their paw while they cross the rainbow bridge in the safety of a vet clinic.
When I met Mateo, he operated in the jungle, without shelter, electricity or basic comfort. He lived in a tiny room on the compound, slept in a hammock, gave everything he had to his rescues. His big dream was to own a piece of land and build his very own shelter, a place that would be safer for the dogs and where he could live.
The good news is that Mateo has recently secured a land, and has started building the shelter! Mateo has been working nonstop on the construction site. He has already moved 36 dogs to the new place (he currently cares for 48 dogs).
The construction company he works with understands his situation and have developed a payment plan for him. But now, the biggest and most urgent expense needs to happen: about $5,000 for the concrete roof. I would love to take care of that for Mateo, so that he only has to worry about his dogs and himself, not how he's going to pay for it all.
It's hurricane season in Mexico. The construction site has already been hit twice in the past weeks, and the structure suffered minor damage. In a few days, a 3rd big hurricane is expected to hit. It's a race against the clock and the elements. Some dogs have been moved to foster homes, and the rest will stay with Mateo and brave the storm.
Your donation can help secure payment for the roof, as Mateo and his team focus on building it as fast and safely as possible.
It's been an honor knowing and supporting Mateo for the past 3 years. I am excited to keep accompanying him as he takes steps for a better life for his rescues and for himself (he deserves a proper home too!).
Please help us make the Riviera Rescue shelter a reality!
Much love!
Sophie
Mateo and I during a visit in NYC, where he was honored for his rescue efforts:
-------------------------
Riviera Rescue is a Mexican non-profit organization committed to Rescuing, Rehabilitating & Re-homing abused dogs in the Riviera Maya, México. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram .
Sophie Gamand is an award-winning artist and animal advocate using her platform to speak for at-risk dogs around the globe. To be informed of her projects and support Sophie's work, sign up for her newsletter via her website , follow her Instagram or Facebook , or support her via Patreon.
Organizer
Sophie Gamand
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
