Donating to animals in need

Mary A. Castillo

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is crossing borders by collecting

and donating dog and cat igloos for the Baja Animal Sanctuary in

Rosarito Beach.

“We’re trying to collect as many as we can,” Shelter Director

Nancy Goodwin said.

The Laguna shelter became involved when one of its volunteers

donated food to the Baja organization. While there, he saw hundreds

of dogs housed in outdoor corrals without shade or shelter from the

elements. He returned to Laguna and saw igloos of all sizes that were

not being used.

“When you go down there, you’re just surrounded by animals,”

Goodwin said. “They’re just out there.”

So far, the Laguna shelter has sent a truckload of igloos donated

by residents and volunteers. One volunteer plucked one in perfect

condition from the trash, Goodwin said.

Founded in 1997 by Sunny Benedict, the Baja Animal Sanctuary is

the only no-kill shelter in northern Mexico. The shelter also

provides veterinary care, food and attention until they’re adopted.

It hosts about 400 dogs and 75 cats at any given time, according

to the sanctuary’s Web site.

“We have a lot in Laguna, and they have nothing,” she said.

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter asks anyone who has dog or cat

igloos -- wooden dog houses are not needed -- to bring them to the

shelter. For more information, please call (949) 497-0392. The

shelter is at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road.