“Broken Hearts | Broken Souls”

Zipaquirá, Colombia | 2022

Waiting for a Family, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Puppies are born in shelters as well as many pregnant female dogs are abandoned. Animalove is not the exception. Thankfully, there is a permanent vet on site to make sure their early needs are met. Shelters are not the best places to grow up but the puppies get to socialize and be independent very early in life. Little Nuez from this photo was adopted.

Kiara, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

She is the Diva . She is part of the geriatric kennel at Animalove. She just stares at you waiting to be petted for at least an hour. Well, that is her wish. Soft, noble and always smiling – she is the best therapy you can have in the world. She loves the camera and the camera loves her!!! She is a mini teddy bear and bears her dog vaccination ID.

Chocolate, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Chocolate was the leader of the welcome committee at Fundacion Animalove. As you drive up the lane to the shelter he would always be there ready to greet you. He was big, strong, and loved the outdoor life at Animalove. Unfortunately, he recently lost his battle against cancer and is now protecting Animalove from a peaceful place, where the really good boys go after accomplishing their mission here.

Call of the Wild, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Nearly 400 hundred dogs live at Fundacion Animalove in Colombia. They are divided by Animalove’s expert vet and staff into ten different pens depending upon their age and temperament. This enables them each to feel loyalty to a particular “pack” recalling dogs’ genetic origin as wolves.  The howl or “call of the wild” is a moment of the day when an Alpha dog in one of the pens reverts to his lupine instincts and calls the pack together!

Full Speed, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

The best moment of the day is when the puppies run free on the meadows at Fundación Animalove. They only do so at specific times when they can be alone as they are yet to be fully vaccinated.  But time out in the Colombia mountains is party time for the youngsters!

Mono, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Purebred dogs are the result of the deliberate mixing of other breeds centuries ago. It was the way humans created the modern dog they needed. Humans developed specific characteristics through these mixes so the dogs could help them with their daily life. The dogs were bred to hunt, swim, catch, retrieve, guard, herd or simply as companions. That is how we have: Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Australian Shepherds or terriers. Most shelter dogs like Mono are mixed breeds (known colloquially as muts, mongrels or in Spanish “criollos” or “gozques”). Each is its unique and individual race based on its mix. They tend to be stronger and healthier than the purebreds!

Who, Me?, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

The pitbull is a breed that is considered “dangerous” in Colombia and other countries such as the UK. By law owners have to have insurance and put a muzzle on them every time they are outside. As a consequence, shelters receive a lot of pitbulls. It is a breed that may also be bred for the wrong purposes and quickly abandoned.  It is a breed that shelters often euthanize first as they have low adoption chances. Education and responsible ownership has always been my philosophy. There is no such thing as an inherently “dangerous” dog or breed. A dog is simply the reflection of who is at the other end of the leash.

Azabache, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Azabache was part of the welcome committee of Animalove. After years of neglect he arrived malnourished and with deeply matted hair full of fleas and ticks. Once groomed and treated for parasites, he looked like a friendly bear. Just one appointment at the groomer for a stray can change his life and the attitude people have towards him. Unfortunately one of Animalove’s greatest costs is anti-parasite medication as these tend to be imported. A large part of donations goes towards these basic medications.

Luna, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Back yard breeders are another problem around the world. The complete lack of effective regulation and control makes it an easy way to make money. The consequences for dogs are cruelty at its worst. The problems with their health are unimaginable. Luna was found as a bitch producer and the fact that she has blue eyes was the source of her hell. The owners wanted to have as many blue eyed puppies as possible. And when they are no longer fertile enough, the bitches are abandoned.

Black Beauty, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Some people deny that dogs smile, are sad, jealous, shy or greedy. They say that is anthropomorphism. I ask those people to go to shelters and see how dogs show all their emotions from fear and sadness when they arrive to acceptance, confidence and ultimately joy as they rebuild confidence in humanity after their earlier suffering. Dogs are quick to forget and soon “a smile is just a smile” - perfection.

Lucy, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Dogs with some kind of pedigree can also be found at Fundación Animalove. Usually they are the first to find a forever home. Nevertheless, black dogs in some countries including Colombia are considered to be a bad omen and are very difficult to adopt. Clichés and superstitions make them the underdogs.

Empanada Hour, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Stray dogs sometimes find the generosity of shopkeepers who give them food to survive. Maybe an empanada is not what a dog nutritionist will recommend, but as long as he keeps coming, the baker will keep feeding him with leftovers. 

Silver Fox, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Old dogs are very difficult to adopt out. Everyone wants a puppy or a young dog. Dogs more than 5 years old are often considered too old.  Fundacion Animalove becomes their forever sanctuary. Yet older dogs are calmer, wiser, need less exercise and equally full of love and in need of attention. Why not give an older dog an opportunity to be part of a family? Adopting older dogs is so much easier than the young and boisterous as they are usually well trained, tend to sleep more and be calmer when left. 

Hope, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Fundación Animalove looks after more than 400 stray and abandoned dogs which come from the streets of the nearby capital Bogota or have been surrendered by their owners. All dogs are neutered and vaccinated when they arrive. One veterinarian works full time onsite to ensure their wellbeing. Every donation helps make it possible for each of the dogs to be adopted and meanwhile to live in dignity with food and care. 

Toña, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

The oldest Dog at Fundación Animal. We think 17 or 18 years old but who knows? She is the sweetest girl always ready to be petted. She is the symbol of loyalty, trust and resilience. When you see her you realize how little we know about dogs. They have been with us for millennia but they are still a mystery. Why do some dogs leave us so quickly and others like Toña appear to be proof of eternal life?

Coco, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Old dogs and dogs with disabilities are rarely adopted. To be blind, have three legs or be deaf are ‘facts’ that likely make a dog unadoptable. In that case, Colombian shelter Fundación Animalove becomes their sanctuary where they will have protection, veterinary care and a happy life until it is their moment to travel over the rainbow bridge. Coco is one of the foundation’s best loved sanctuary residents.

Smiley, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But when breed standards dictate what a dog should look like, the puppies that don’t meet the defined “look” are often abandoned in Colombia and around the world. This desire for physical perfection would be intolerable for humans so why is it imposed on dogs? Let us celebrate each dog for its uniqueness.  

Chains of Love, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

Sometimes houses in Colombia don’t have gardens. The front of the house next to the street is the place to give them some fresh air and sun . Whilst chains can seem constraining, their short use is a better solution than letting dogs randomly outside among the cars. The owners clearly care as you can see all of the dogs have sweaters against the cold mountain air.

Joy, 2022 | Zipaquirá, Colombia

There is nothing more joyful than seeing a playful puppy in good health. It is important that puppies get as much socialization as possible so they can learn to be calm and interact calmly with people and other dogs. Their first months are critical to the shaping of their personalities and later behavior.