Nonprofit: Yaqui

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

YAQUI ANIMAL RESCUE

SAFE HAVEN FOR RGV ANIMALS

Nestled in a cul-de-sac in the outskirts of Sullivan City, Texas, resides a safe haven for abused and neglected animals of the Rio Grande Valley, Yaqui Animal Rescue.

Yaqui is an 80-acre ranch that houses over 200 animals from all walks of life, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, ducks, roosters, and opossums.

“We’re a little different than most animal rescue’s in the RGV,” said Sonia Venecia, Yaqui Animal Rescue Founder, and CEO. “Our no-kill shelter welcomes more than dogs and cats; we have a whole ranch to welcome different species of animals that need our help.”

The 501 C3 non-profit is committed to rescuing, vetting, rehabilitating, and finding loving homes for all fourlegged—and sometimes two and three-legged—friends.

“It’s a daily battle,” said Venecia. “Every day we get a call about an animal who has been dumped on the side of the road, on the brink of passing. Our work is never done, but we do it because if we don’t, who will?”

Yaqui is usually the first call people make when they see a hopeless animal on the street. Yaqui hopes to change the way the RGV sees animal welfare. “We hope to educate our citizens about how important it is to be responsible pet owners,” said Venecia. “A lack of spaying and neutering your pets is a big issue in this area as there is an influx of abandoned pets. Additionally, making sure you vet your pet annually to avoid painful yet avoidable viral diseases like parvo and distemper is a message that needs to be pushed more.”

Venecia says looking out for the animals of the RGV is a community issue.

“If we can all come together to improve the lives of these animals, we will help the issues our Yaqui team faces every day,” said Venecia. “Together, we can do more.”

To learn more about Yaqui Animal Rescue and how you can help, visit Yaqui Animal Rescue.com and follow their social media.

To learn more about Yaqui, visit: www.yaquianimalrescue.com and follow them on social media