Companion animals receive veterinary care in Costa Ricca

Andrea Induni / Humane World for Animals

Costa Rica

Our Work in Costa Rica

How we're helping animals in Costa Rica

Our Impact

20,000+
people

now know how to live in harmony with wildlife and protect the country’s natural heritage

1,500+
dogs and cats

were saved from cruelty situations in 2023 by our rescue teams

80%
spay/neuter rate

in urban areas thanks to our clinics and outreach

What we're working on

Photo of a parrot in a tree

Grettel Delgadillo/HSI

Wildlife protection

Wildlife trafficking is one of Costa Rica’s biggest challenges. We combat this issue through multiple initiatives: We collaborate with the government to offer high-level training on prosecuting wildlife crimes and handling confiscated animals. We offer hands-on workshops on identifying and investigating wildlife crimes. And we provide equipment, such as wildlife cameras and animal handling tools, to authorities.

 

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Human-wildlife coexistence

We also collaborate with government entities to build capacity and raise awareness about human-wildlife coexistence through the Costa Rica Silvestre project. This initiative aims to prevent biodiversity loss caused by negative human-wildlife interactions and exploitative human practices. To date, the project has helped more than 20,000 people understand of how to live in harmony with wildlife and protect the country’s natural heritage.

 

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Rescuing a kitten

Humane World for Animals

Dog and cat welfare

We’re also committed to protecting companion animals. As we collaborate with law enforcement agencies, the number of cruelty cases continues to rise. We provide on-the-ground support in these cases, offering direct assistance, rehabilitation and the safe relocation of animals who are victims of abuse. In 2023 alone, we supported the rescue and rehabilitation of more than 1,500 dogs and cats from cruel situations.

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There’s more work to be done.

Costa Rica’s rich wildlife is a huge tourism draw. Unfortunately, there are more than 200 captive wildlife facilities in the country. At some of them, visitors can see, touch and even take selfies with wild animals. Humane World for Animals counters this cruelty by joining with officials and other organizations to raise awareness and educate the public. We promote responsible tourism practices that emphasize viewing animals in their natural habitats, fostering healthy coexistence between humans and wildlife.  

We also continue to help the country’s companion animals. We train law enforcement on investigating cruelty cases and rescuing animals from abuse and disasters. We assist in rescues when requested. And we work with authorities to investigate dogfighting.

Finally, we’re using our expertise in street dog and cat management to promote animal welfare programs. In 2023, we released the results of a study showing that street dog and cat numbers are decreasing in urban areas with sterilization rates above 80%. However, in key rural areas, sterilization rates remain as low as 18%. This crucial data will help us develop more effective strategies for animal welfare programs and improve access to care where it’s most needed.

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