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Catira Alejandra could hardly contain her joy upon reuniting with her family. With her tail wagging, energetic jumps, and affectionate licks, the small dog expressed her happiness at seeing the familiar faces she had feared she might never see again.
However, just days prior, Catira displayed signs of distress, cowering and trembling as she was examined by rescuers in La Guaira. Temporarily given a new name by her rescuers, she carried no identification to connect her to her previous life. She was among the numerous pets that ended up in shelters following two earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June, resulting in thousands of fatalities.
Since that time, many residents have suffered the loss of family members, their homes, and the beloved pets they had.
As of June 24, a minimum of 648 pets, including both dogs and cats, have been rescued in La Guaira, one of the regions most severely affected by the earthquakes, and the San Bernardino neighborhood of Caracas, according to Maguildas Vargas, who leads Misión Nevado, a Venezuelan government initiative dedicated to sheltering homeless animals.
Hoping for a joyful reunion
Vargas and her team have successfully reunited at least 18 pets rescued in La Guaira with their respective owners.
Many of the animals discovered were suffering from injuries such as fractures, multiple traumas, mutilations, abrasions, or cuts, according to Vargas, who is also a veterinary assistant. These pets are currently receiving medical treatment and shelter until they can be returned to their original homes.
Vargas has encouraged individuals searching for their missing pets to create profiles for them and share the information on social media platforms.
Social media has been inundated with images and videos showcasing dogs of varying sizes, as well as white, black, striped, and multicolored cats. Each post has been shared multiple times, featuring heartfelt appeals from grieving owners along with fundamental details about their cherished pets.
The shelter at Granja Los Corales, located in La Guaira, serves as a central location for many of the rescued animals.
“We act as a meeting point for individuals searching for their pets, allowing them to come and see if their animals are here,” said Rene Cardozo, the shelter coordinator, in an interview with state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
‘My goal is to reunite them with their owners’
In addition to governmental initiatives, numerous independent shelters have dedicated themselves to reuniting the canine and feline victims of the earthquakes with their families.
María Cordova embarked on her first animal rescue mission at the age of 15, in 2013. Since that time, she has committed herself to this cause, operating from Barquisimeto in the Lara state. Her work as a home-based pastry chef provides her the flexibility to prioritize the care of her rescues.
Following the earthquakes, she made two trips to La Guaira, during which she and her shelter, Amor Animal, assisted 22 animals.
“We are actively searching for their owners; many are still in the hospital and haven’t had the opportunity to seek out their pets,” she shared with USdaily.
“My purpose in this endeavor is to ensure they are reunited with their owners. I am not rushing to adopt them out, as my true fulfillment would come from reuniting them with their families,” Cordova stated.
Recently, this mission saw a successful outcome when she located Gus, a black cat she had previously rescued in Catia La Mar, in La Guaira. Gus was reunited with his owner after being apart for 19 days.
“I found him by the grace of God, thanks to you,” Rofredbelys, his owner, tearfully stated in a video shared by the shelter.
These reunions, according to Cordova, give profound meaning to all of her efforts. “That girl truly cried,” she recalls.
