I had such an amazing, life changing experience when my team and I were down in January. Not only is this organization dedicated to the animals of San Pedro....but they are also dedicated to its people. My favorite part of our visit was being able to spend some time in the community educating children on the importance of humane treatment of animals. We are going back in November and we can't wait! Donate your time! You won't regret it :)
After deciding to spend the winter in San Pedro, I was looking for a way to meet people that didn't require me to fall into the bar scene. And then a cat climbed in my window one day...
She had been abandoned by the apartment building's previous owners six years prior. While she had once been a house-pet, she was left behind to fend for itself. It's amazing that she survived this long, eating rodents, reptiles & garbage, avoiding the non-stop traffic on the street in front of my building, and the roaming dogs in my neighborhood. I guess she was ready to become a house-pet again, because every time I opened my window, she climbed in. Of course, I became attached to the cat, but wasn't sure what to do - so I decided to reach out to SAGA for some veterinary care & volunteer work - and it was the best decision I made!
SAGA's veterinary clinic gave her a thorough check-up, and helped rid her of the parasites and fleas that were probably plaguing her for years. A few weeks later, she ate something with poison in it (probably a rodent that had eaten poison) which caused liver/kidney failure --- and she was hospitalized at SAGA for two weeks, where she received non-stop care & TLC from their amazing clinic manager, Ingrid. Unfortunately, my new friend was not done with the vet clinic. Two weeks before my departure, she got into a losing battle with a cotamundi, which beat the cra@p out of her. I found her two days later, in very rough (and filthy) shape. SAGA had her cleaned-up & put on a round of antibiotics to stave off infection. She required continued care, so I decided to take her home with me - and she handled the trip like a trooper. Thanks to SAGA, Miss Sassypants is now living large in Boston, where she's a happy, indoor-only cat with a 24/7 Fancy Feast buffet. Were it not for the folks at SAGA, she would not be here with me today.
Now, onto the volunteer part.... I had volunteered with a couple of greater Boston animal shelters in the past & thought it might be a great way to meet like-minded animal lovers. So, I reached out to SAGA & asked if they needed any help at an upcoming Superbowl fundraiser. I didn't have to work too hard, selling raffle tickets to the masses while cheering on the Patriots. But I met a GREAT group of volunteers, who were just so wonderful, I call many of them friends today. They are a dynamic, upbeat & hard-working group of people who are constantly fundraising to run their shelter, spay/neuter program & vet clinic operations. They also provide community outreach, affordable vet care to families in need and are changing the landscape of San Pedro for the better. Even though I am back in Boston, I am still volunteering with this amazing organization & can't wait to hit the ground running when I return to Belize in Jan.
I have volunteered with more than 5 animal rescue/shelter groups & this by far, is my favorite one. They have the biggest challenges (low income neighborhoods [many people live on $2 day here], problems w/animal neglect due to lack of animal education, high cost of pet food [1 large bag of dog food = $100] , and too many stray dogs/cats to list), yet they also have the biggest heart. They have engaged the entire community through their efforts, rallying them to the cause & changed the overall landscape of San Pedro through their good works & vision.
Our first visit to San Pedro was 3 years ago, I noticed street dogs with cloth hankies around their necks so asked someone what that meant. They said someone owns the dog but it roams free. Most of the street dogs were in fairly good shape. Mexico could take some lessons! I asked if there was a vet in town and they said there was SAGA a humane society. A humane society on a small island in Central America? Never heard of such a thing, I was intrigued. I searched them out. I WAS AMAZED, to say the least! These people are angles sent from heaven for the animals on Ambergris Caye! I ended up walking dogs and sitting in the cat cages and giving some love to animals that probably had never felt a kind hand. The animals are so......grateful and loving and kind and furry and sweet and wiggly.......! We took a kitty to our apartment for a month planning on taking him home with us back to Nebraska, his name was BeeZee. BeeZee ended up with something a week before we left and had to stay behind and a man fell love with her there so we let her stay. This past February we went back to San Pedro for 6 weeks, back to SAGA we went with gifts for them, they need dog food, cat collars, dog collars, carriers for them to be able to fly to freedom, treats...they really like treats! Anyway SAGA needs your help, they need you to be their village, go walk a dog and pet a cat, who knows you may end up taking one home, and your life will change forever!!!
I was vacationing in Belize and stumbled upon Saga, quite by accident. But as they say, some of the best things in life happen when you don't expect them. While visiting Fort Dog at Saga, I fell in love with Song, a sweet potlicker boy, and brought him home with me to the U.S. He's the best souvenir from Belize I could imagine!
The people who work and volunteer at this humane society are simply amazing. Their compassion, knowledge, and dedication to the animals on Ambergris Caye and beyond is unparalleled. The animals in their care, many coming from horrific situations, receive extraordinary medical care, kindness and love. I can't image the fate that would have awaited these animals had it not been for Saga. Thank you to all at Saga for the important work that you do and for saving my Song.
March of 2017 we spent ten days in San Pedro so my spouse could do some diving. We hadn't been there for five years or so and it was nice to be back. I always drop by Saga to make a donation. So the day we stopped there was this very cute Cattle Dog potlicker in one of the outdoor kennels. I love Cattle Dogs and have a cute one at home. So I inquired about volunteering to walk her and found out her name was Thelma. So I started taking her for walks and discovered what a sweet, goofy, loving girl she was. A few weeks after we flew home, Saga flew Thelma to us in Cleveland, Ohio. Safe Harbo Animal Rescue had agreed to take her in and my sister & I would co foster her. Dawn and everyone at Saga work so hard, with so little, to help the animals of San Pedro. Hopefully we can partner again and help another potlicker get to a great home. Thelma got adopted into a loving home a few weeks after arriving in Ohio. The second picture is her in her new home.
SAGA Human Society in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize is a wonderful place with amazing and dedicated staff and volunteers. I had the pleasure of volunteering at SAGA in April will now volunteer each time we go back. The staff is compassionate and caring and they spend so much of their own time taking care of the animals. All of the dogs were sweet and happy and well cared for. I tried to walk as many as I could each day. SAGA does an amazing job with such limited resources, which shows how dedicated the staff is. And, I fell in love with a sweet, funny, silly Potlicker who we ended adopting and naming Marley. We could not love him more. The staff at SAGA took care of the adoption process to get Marley home to the states, which I know is not easy. We are grateful to SAGA for all they do for these wonderful, deserving animals. I can't wait to go back!
Amazing humane society that has done so much for the animals and people of San Pedro. Two of our beloved dogs came from SAGA. We volunteer by walking dogs every time we visit the island as well as bring needed supplies to them. Their round ups for spay/neuter and vaccines have decreased the free roaming island dogs substantially and education has helped the residents take better care of the dogs and cats on the island.
My husband and I missed our dogs while we were on vacation. We volunteered to take a dog for an afternoon. We couldn't decide which one, so we asked them to give us the one that has been there the longest. We feel in love with 9 year old Quinnie. We ended up adopting her and take her home to the States. The staff members at SAGA are amazing. They are so dedicated and work many, many hours. They are so humble. It is truly apparent how dedicated they are to the health and welfare of the animals. They come in on their days off to take care of the animals. I want to do more for them. Our Quinnie is such a great dog. She makes me smile every day. I got to take some of San Pedro and the kind caring spirit home by adopting her. Love to seeing Quinnie so happy on her feather bed next to ours. She loves pig ears and Bully sticks. Can't wait to make her a filled stocking of treats and toys for Christmas. Can not say enough good things about the SAGA staff. They are good, dedicated, caring, and loving staff. I wish I could do more for them. Can not wait to see them all again next summer.
I had the wonderful experience of volunteering with Saga recently. Seeing how the staff loved and treated the animals well was truly heartwarming. I loved Saga so much that I ended up adopting a dog before leaving. They were so helpful ensuring my puppy's safety and comfort. Hope to volunteer with them again. Keep up the good work!
This is an organization with several committed angels who are always there for the cats and dogs of Ambergris Caye. They operate with only donations and volunteers and yet still manage to make an incredible difference in the lives of the unwanted and uncared for animals on the island. Their low cost care and neutering/spaying programs have markedly decreased the number of strays and their education programs are improving the lives of all the animals.
I was able to volunteer there a few months ago, and they are amazing! Their hard work, determination, respect and love is invaluable for the animals. They are the only non-profit veterinary hospital on the island, and they truly do an amazing job. I was so happy to be a part of SAGA while I was there! As a director of a non-profit myself, I know the ups and downs and I can truly say they work hard, and work well! Im hoping to back soon!