Ever since Berta was a little girl, she loved animals. Her mom and sister say they remember Berta coming home with all kinds of creatures who were abandoned, hungry or injured and needed nursing, from dogs and cats to birds and squirrels! It seems Berta’s mission in life was clear from the start: to be a voice for animals in need.
Berta has dedicated years to working at Playa Junquillal’s local turtle conservation organization, Vida Verdiazul, where they host volunteers from around the world to conserve and re-populate sea turtle species native to the Pacific coastline. In Berta’s free time when she’s not helping to save turtles, she is saving dogs.
At any given time, Berta is fostering at least a few dogs who have found their way to her sanctuary– if not 10 or more! It’s common to see Berta taking her eclectic pack for a beach walk at sunset on Playa Junquillal. It’s quite a sight to see little dogs, big dogs, old dogs and young dogs all playing and frolicking together, obviously grateful to have made their way to Berta. Some may be limping, skinny, or missing fur, but they know they are safe and on their way to a healthy life now.
The dogs that Berta fosters are often badly injured, seriously sick, or extremely malnourished. But when she sees a dog in those conditions, she does not give up on them or count them out. She pours her love and care into healing these neglected pups, spending countless hours and very often her own money when there are not enough donations. It’s not often she will ask for help, but thankfully the community has recognized what a treasure Berta is, and rallies behind her to help save many dogs’ lives. It is clear though, that Berta is passionate enough about each animal she meets that she would be doing this with or without help from anyone.
Dogs can sense Berta’s kind soul, too, and many times she is the only one that scared or abused dogs feel comfortable around. This was the case with Carmen, a small dog who wouldn’t let anyone get near her but Berta. She would have been easily adopted, but it was obvious that she chose Berta to be her mom. The two of them are practically inseparable, with Carmen always on her lap or sitting in the crook of Berta’s arm like baby.
In 2005, Berta began organizing spay and neuter clinics in local communities, including Junquillal, Paraíso, Playa Negra, Rio Seco, and Marbella. Joining forces with other animal lovers, they learned from each campaign how to improve the next, and slowly began to control the local dog and cat populations. Despite complications, stressful situations, angry neighbors and tragedies, she fought to continue these campaigns because she believed in the mission. Today when you walk the beach in Junquillal or Playa Negra, it is rare to see homeless or neglected dogs, compared to many other communities in Costa Rica, thanks to Berta’s efforts.
Berta continues to lead Hope 4 A Street Dog and inspires every volunteer with her relentless efforts and enormous heart. Though it is the organization’s main focus to host spay and neuter clinics, there are always animals who are suffering and need our help, and Berta is the first person everyone comes to with an abandoned, sick or injured animal. Often she will be called to people’s houses to help assess an emergency situation and get animals the care they need. So how can she say no to helping them?
It is a difficult, emotionally draining task to see so many animals in need, plus rehabilitate and foster animals in these dire situations. There are cases that do not end happily, and unfortunately the rough conditions in Costa Rica end many dogs’ lives too soon. But Berta keeps on, with a positive attitude and contagious warm smile, giving hope to street dogs one at a time. We should all strive to be a bit more like Berta by opening our hearts to those in need, and remembering that we all have the power to make positive changes in the world.
If you would like to help Berta’s foster dogs with much needed food and medicine, you can make a donation and leave a note letting us know where you’d like your contribution to go. If you or someone you know is looking for a dog to adopt, contact us and we will introduce you to the dogs we currently have in foster care who are looking for a forever home.
Help a Dog & Donate Now