Cortez Rescue & Outreach

Every Day Enriching The Lives Of Homeless And Neglected Dogs

Dogs Rescued Since 2018

OUR FEATURED CORTEZ RESCUE PUPS

Through No Fault Of Their Own, These Dogs Have Been With Us The Longest. A Loving Home Would Change Their Lives. Please, If You Can, Take A Look At Each Awesome Dog And Contact Us For More Information.

Relocation Is Possible For All Dogs At Our Rescue.

Ready for adoption at Cortez Rescue and Outreach

I'm Being Fostered

Hope

Hi, I'm Hope. I have a beautiful white coat, a gentle soul, a crooked little smile, and a whole lot...

Mix & Dad Is the Milkman

Female

6 Years Old

I Need a Foster

Kamyla

Hi, I'm Kamyla. I may look tough but I'm really just a big sweetheart & total homebody at heart.

Mix & Terrier - American Staffordshire

Female

5 Years Old

Loreto_Ready for adoption at Cortez Rescue and Outreach

I'm Being Fostered

Loreto Litter: L Litter x 7

Meet Loreto, our stunning brindle boy with charm for days and affection to spare!

Mix

Male

1 Year Old

I Need a Foster

Zarah Litter: The Z Litter x 6

Meet Zarah, This gorgeous, gentle girl is a big dog with an even bigger heart.

Mix

Female

1 Year Old

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Your donations provide lifesaving care for pets in need!

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Our Vision, Cortez Rescue and Outreach

Cortez Rescue & Outreach is a non-profit public benefit organization dedicated to the rescue, health and well being of stray and abandoned dogs. Based in BCS, Mexico – our Cortez Rescue and Outreach Center is located in the town of Las Cuevas.

Cortez Rescue and Outreach has created a unique and effective program... to bring about much needed change in animal treatment and ownership within our own communities. Our tireless rescue efforts support the East Cape region in BCS. Las Cuevas to Cabo Pulmo including the towns of La Ribera, Los Barriles and San Bartolo.

OUR VISION at Cortez Rescue and Outreach Is Clear... To Save As Many Dogs Lives As We Can Through Our Rescue Efforts, Education And Community Support.

Our Best Practices Are Foundational

At Cortez Rescue & Outreach We Are Dedicated To Providing The Best Possible Care For Our Dogs.

Our Best Practices Are Foundational In Our Operations to ensure the best medical care, emotional support and optimal social development of our dogs. We encourage you to read more below about our Key Programs we utilize with our dogs that align with our vision. Cortez Playgroup, Behavior Modification and Leash Skill Training, Volunteer and Staff Training and Spay and Neuter Programs.

Cortez Playgroup

Playgroup was introduced at Cortez Rescue and Outreach several years ago... and we can definitely say that our dogs have benefited greatly from it ever since. Cortez Playgroup is modeled after the Dogs Playing For Life Program. A proven program that takes into account the consideration of the whole dog – physically, emotionally and behaviorally.

In addition to exercise and social interactions... Cortez Playgroup provides opportunities for enrichment, assessment, training, and behavior modification. The benefits of daily playgroup include:

More Accurate Assessments... Cortez Playgroup helps our rescue determine social skills more accurately for each dog.

Not Every Dog Is A Candidate... for Cortez Playgroup. Evaluating dogs for inclusion in Cortez Playgroup and observing them interacting with one another provides us a better, faster understanding of the dogs in our care.

We Learn... that a dog’s behavior on-leash or in their kennel is not an accurate indicator of a dog’s social skills. A dog that may be labeled aggressive because of kennel behavior but may exhibit healthy social skills in playgroup.

Increased Freedom And Reduced Stress. Cortez Playgroup supports our dogs physical and mental health... During Cortez Playgroup, dogs burn off physical energy and due to intensive social interactions, they burn mental energy as well. This type of interaction feeds their senses and supports their overall health.

Spending Time Off-leash and out of their kennels reduces stress and allows Cortez Playgroup dogs to relax both inside and outside of the runs.

Playgroup Makes The Most Of Every Moment To Help Maximize Everyone's Time At Our Rescue Facility... By gathering our eligible dogs together in supervised play groups, our Cortez Playgroup team is able to make the most of their time, which directly benefits our rescue dogs. This also allows for empty kennels to be cleaned more efficiently making our staff's jobs easier and more efficient. Once our dogs are returned to their kennels, they have had ample time to exercise and relieve themselves, which translates into fewer cleanups for our staff. Again, maximizing everyone's time.

Playgroup Works At Cortez Rescue and Outreach, And We Appreciate Every One Of Our Playgroup Volunteers.

Behavior Modification & Leash Skill Training

Behavior Modification And Leash Skills Training Are Priorities For Our Dogs... Animal rescues are busy places with many time demands, but our staff and volunteers at Cortez Rescue and Outreach do their best to prioritize our dogs’ Life Enrichment Activities while in our care with a combination of dog Leash Skill Development and Optimal Behavior Management.

We believe that all dogs in our care are deserving of our time and expertise. Our volunteers and staff continuously support our dogs with critical skills that will aid in finding each and every rescue dog a permanent, loving home and a successful, emotionally happy and secure life.

Our Cortez Rescue and Outreach dogs receive socialization opportunities and efforts are made to train our rescue dogs not to jump on people, to respect thresholds (to not bolt across a threshold like an open door or gate) as well as sit and heal on leash. These training efforts help to make our dogs even more adoptable. We are so proud of our dogs and their commitment and development into the very best version of themselves. Baja dogs are some of the best dogs in the world and we think our Cortez Rescue and Outreach dogs are the best dogs of all.

If you’d like to learn more... About the skills your Cortez Rescue and Outreach dog knows and the techniques utilized in their training, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss our techniques.

Volunteer and Staff Training

At Cortez Rescue and Outreach, We Work Hard Implementing, Training, And Utilizing Professional, Proven Dog Handling, Skill Development And Behavior Modification Techniques... Cortez Rescue and Outreach has been very fortunate to have had two Professional Dog Behaviorists work directly with our dogs and train our volunteers and staff.

Prior to this training, most of our volunteers were simply dog lovers and enthusiasts with big hearts, doing the best they could to improve the well being and lives of the dogs in our care. Of course, all of this is still true but our Cortez Rescue and Outreach volunteers and staff have also learned skills and techniques that elevate our dogs to an even greater level of wellness and success through Cortez Playgroup, Behavior Modification and Leash Skill Development.

Dog training starts with people training... Our Cortez Rescue and Outreach volunteers and staff go through hours of Dog Handling, Canine Behavior Awareness, and Leash Skill Development training.

Consistency Is Of Utmost Importance... When teaching new behaviors to our dogs, our volunteers consistently utilize the same proven training techniques. This program of training really pays off with outstanding results. We are often able to reverse undesirable dog behavior and develop Leash and Command Discipline in a short time.

Cortez Rescue and Outreach Fully Supports Spay and Neuter Programs

Cortez Rescue and Outreach works with local area organizations... to offer free spay and neutering services at your local Los Barriles veterinarian. Contact us if you’d like to participate in this service.

Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered... quickly and exponentially add to the homeless and neglected dog problem. Here in the East Cape area, we regularly have low cost OR no cost spay and neuter clinics.

Contact Us if you’d like to have your dog OR cat participate in the next clinic OR if you’d like to volunteer to help us control the unwanted pet population in our area.

Meet The Staff

Cortez Rescue and Outreach employs a full time Veterinarian and a Crew of 3 -5 workers to help run our Las Cuevas facility.

Our Veterinarian, Maria Fiol Gavarain, is dedicated, talented and continually demonstrates her love for all animals. Maria is also the lead for our Cortez Rescue support staff. They all do a fabulous job keeping things clean and taking care of our rescue dogs.

A Big Thank You To All Our Support Staff and Veterinarian, Maria. We Couldn't Do What We Do Without You!

Watch This Short Video At Our Cortez Rescue and Outreach - Main Facility

Las Cuevas, Baja California Sur, MX

Cortez Rescue and Outreach Upcoming Events -

Don't See Any Events Scheduled? Many Of Our Events Are Seasonal Due To Extreme Heat In The BCS Area And Will Resume In The Fall Season. Click Here to See Some Of Our Past Events.

Cortez Rescue and Outreach - Featured Dog Lovers

Meet A Few Of Our Exceptional Volunteers Who Continuously Support Our Mission

Terri F. - My Heart Belongs To Dog Rescue!

Terri Foster has been an invaluable member of Cortez Rescue and Outreach since its inception... helping to shape our rescue and save dogs lives. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Cortez Rescue as well as unselfishly giving her time coordinating adoptions, transporting dogs, scheduling volunteers, volunteering at our main rescue with our dogs and pretty much anything else relating to Cortez Rescue and Outreach.

Our rescue runs on the power of our volunteers... and Terri continues to show us all just how many ways there are to be involved and help out. There is something for everyone who wants to get involved.

Read Our Interview With Terri Below

CR (Cortez Rescue and Outreach): What makes you so committed to helping dogs?

Terri: What makes me most committed to helping dogs is my love for all animals, big and small. Since I was kid we always had many pets, from hamsters to guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, lizards, fish and dogs. I loved them all and loved to care for them. I can still remember all their names. My love for Baja dogs keeps growing as I see so many in need that just want love and to be cared for and their love and loyalty always shines through.

CR: How did you get involved with Cortez Rescue and Outreach?

Terri: What inspires me to Volunteer with Cortez is my ability to give back to this wonderful community I have called home for the last 12 years. To help any animal that is suffering makes my heart feel good. And for all the Volunteers, new and old, that continue to volunteer with such a great organization is truly inspirational.

CR: Tell us about a memorable moment while volunteering for Cortez Rescue?

Terri: My most tendering, memorable and gratifying experience at Cortez Rescue can not be just one. Most tender is watching so many of these dogs go from extremely sick and scared to becoming happy and healthy and adopted. Most memorable are the ones who spend way too long with Cortez but through all our efforts finally get to their forever homes. Most gratifying is my time at the rescue with the dogs and fostering. I love fostering and being that bridge from one life to another for these beautiful creatures.

CR: Anything else you'd like to add?'

Terri: Cortez Rescue has truly changed my life. I've learned that being kind and caring to all is the best way to be. Rescue can be sad and heartbreaking but the happy and joyful moments with these dogs makes the whole journey worth it. I always say "Cortez Rescue is My happy place!" Volunteer if you can. Just to make even a small difference in these dogs' lives will make your heart happy.

Thank You Terri! Cortez Rescue and Outreach and all of our rescue pups love you!

Jessie S. - The Rewards of Fostering

Our rescue runs on the power of our volunteers... and Jessie continues to show us all just how many ways there are to be involved and help out. There is something for everyone who wants to get involved.

Read Our Interview With Jessie Below

CR (Cortez Rescue and Outreach): What makes you so committed to helping dogs?

Jessie: What makes me so committed to helping these dogs is seeing the transformation they go through from the time they first arrive at Cortez Rescue, to them getting the care they need to thrive, to when they find their forever families. When a dog comes to CR, they are immediately seen and
assessed by Gretel. At that time, she takes a photo of the dog. When I create a dog’s profile, I use this
photo as a starting point. I then add photos to their profiles that are taken by the volunteers and
fosters along the way, which illustrate their progression. It is truly incredible to see how these once
beaten down beings become robust, loving dogs.

CR: How did you get involved with Cortez Rescue and Outreach?

Jessie: The work that CR does is what inspires me to continue volunteering for them. I was reluctant to go out to CR because I could only imagine what a harsh place it must be. However, to my astonishment, I was impressed with how humanely the shelter was set up: Every kennel has a roof; the pens are cleaned out daily; the long-term pens have sandboxes so the dogs have something else besides concrete to lay on; there is painstaking coordination of volunteers to walk the dogs 5 days a week/let the puppies out of their pens to play and; there is a veterinarian on site. Although how amazing that was/is, what really inspires me is the commitment, dedication and tireless work that Jen, Terri and all the volunteers do for getting every dog that comes to CR the medical care and attention they need to thrive and the persistence in finding them a permanent, loving family as quickly as possible.

CR: Tell us about a memorable moment while volunteering for Cortez Rescue?

Jessie: There are two memorable and gratifying experiences that come to my mind in regard fostering to CR dogs. The first one I like to call, Finding Edith. Edith was a young dog who had given birth to 9 puppies (all survived!) before she was sent up to Portland to what was supposed to be her permanent
home. Unfortunately for her, things didn’t work out and by the time she arrived in our home she was
completely traumatized and frightened. Shortly after we had her, an older couple came forward who wanted to adopt her. Since they lived 3 hours away, we met them halfway. Things appeared fine at the meeting but as soon as they pulled into their driveway and opened the door, Edith bolted. Their home was situated on the side of a hill. On the other side of the hill was Hwy 99 and the railroad tracks.
After a few days of sightings but not being able to catch her, we drove down to see if we could find her.
Through a lot of luck, I found her on the side of the tracks. I stopped about 20 feet away, got on my
knees and asked her, “Is that my baby girl?” At that, she dropped her ears and came trotting over to
me and into my arms. I fed her some chicken and we took her back to her new home. It took a long
time for Edith to become an engaging member of the family but through the patience of her people,
she has become the family pet they originally saw in her.

The second one I call, Our Miracle Dog Capri. Capri came from a litter of puppies who had to be
quarantined while at CR and then again in the States and so didn’t get the usual socialization that
puppies get at the shelter. She and her sister were in a foster for 3 months when it was decided to split
them up because they weren’t engaging with humans. The foster adopted her sister and Capri came up to us. We fostered her for 6 weeks before she found her home. The whole time she was in our care, she hid. If she was in the yard, it was behind a bush. If she was in the house, it was behind the couch. At least once a day I would find her, pick her up, put her on my lap and pet her. Although she liked being
on my lap and stayed for hours sometimes, she would cower and tremble whenever I approached her. It broke my heart every time.

Finally, a family with a 7-year-old boy, a 5-year-old girl and a male dog similar to Capri but 2 years older, wanted to adopt her. When we drove into their driveway the kids were sitting in their little chairs just waiting for Capri. We all went into the house with her on leash.
The amazing thing is that she never pulled on the leash or tried to hide. Even when the two kids
approached her with toys, she didn’t pull or try to hide and actually sniffed at the toys. They decided to keep her and as I was leaving, I asked the mom to please send me a photo of Capri when she wags her tail because we had never seen it. That night, she sent me a video of Capri in the middle of the
living room floor chewing on a toy. The mom called her name and she wagged her tail! She sent me
another video of her playing with the boy and then she ran and jumped up on the couch. The boy
came over to her, sat down next to her and started petting her and she didn’t cower or run away. I
believe that somehow, she knew this was her family and that she was home. It truly was a miracle.

CR: Anything else you'd like to add?

Jessie: When we tell people we foster dogs, they always tell us what good people we must be but honestly,
we get much more out of fostering then we give. The light does go out of the house when a dog leaves
our home but I cannot describe the incredible, heartwarming feeling we get every time one of our foster dogs goes to its forever family.

I encourage everyone to at least give fostering a try. It’s easier
than one might think and it will be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.

Thank You Jessie! Cortez Rescue and Outreach and all of our rescue pups love you!

Lynn P. - Committed To Helping Dogs

Cortez Rescue and Outreach Is So Very Grateful... for the tireless service Lynn provides to our pups and organization as a whole.

Our Rescue Runs On The Power of our Volunteers... and Lynn continues to show us all just how many ways there are to be involved and help out. There is something for everyone who wants to get involved.

Read Our Interview With Lynn Below

CR (Cortez Rescue and Outreach): What makes you so committed to helping dogs?

Lynn: I have had pets of many sorts for my entire life – dogs, cats, birds, fish, snakes, apes and monkeys, goats and sheep, baby deer, horses and an occasional cow. I care about animals because they, like children and many disabled and elderly folk, need someone to look out for them, be their voice and ensure their best life.

CR: How did you get involved with Cortez Rescue and Outreach?

Lynn: As an adult I was fortunate to travel a great deal and quickly learned that many countries don’t have the same kinds of resources we enjoy in the United States. Mexico was one of those countries and I’ve seen how desperate conditions are for the majority of dogs and cats there. A few years ago, I was fortunate to discover Cortez Rescue and the Cabo Pet Escort program. Once I started volunteering, I couldn’t stop. Every small thing I can do, matters – to me and to the animals.

CR: Tell us about a memorable moment while volunteering for Cortez Rescue?

Lynn: My experience working with Cortez has been too full of memorable and soul-lifting instances to name just one. Every time I pick up a dog at the airport, every time I bring a pup or pups into my home, every time I’ve delivered a pup to their new forever home has been life changing. Even dismantling, cleaning and stacking airline kennels makes me feel good!

CR: Anything else you'd like to add?

Lynn: I encourage everyone to do whatever you can, whenever you can, to make a difference for the dogs and cats looking for their better life. If you can’t volunteer, donate whatever you can afford. If you can’t donate, volunteer in whatever capacity you can. You won’t be sorry.

Thank You Lynn! Cortez Rescue and Outreach and all of our rescue pups love you!