“Broken Hearts | Broken Souls” - Zipaquirá

Kiara, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Empanada Hour, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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. 

Lucy, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Who, Me? 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Black Beauty, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Turrón, 2022 - Zipaquirá

Coming soon….

Full Speed, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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!

Toña, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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 Tonia appear to be proof of eternal life?

Waiting for a Family, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Chocolate, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.

Coco, 2022 - Zipaquirá

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.