Oh my Dog!: Saving sloths by helping dogs
Dog attacks are the second leading cause of sloth deaths in Costa Rica, with rescue centers receiving 2 to 3 injured wild animals every week due to dog encounters. Our pets are affecting over 180 species of wildlife, and at least 11 species have already gone extinct because of canine threats.
Sloths are especially vulnerable to dog attacks; they cannot jump or run and are often forced to crawl across the ground when moving between trees in urbanized areas. The solution is not to blame dogs but to change the environment and behavior of dog owners to protect both the dogs and the sloths.
Oh My Dog! is an initiative dedicated to reducing dog attacks on wildlife in the South Caribbean region through four key actions:
1) Reducing the Need for Arboreal Animals to Travel on the Ground
We minimize the risk of sloths and other wildlife encountering dogs by planting trees and installing wildlife canopy bridges as part of our Connected Gardens Project. These efforts create safe passages for animals to move between fragmented habitats without descending to the ground.
We collaborate with private property owners whose dogs have previously attacked wildlife, as well as with the Costa Rican government, to enhance safety measures in urban areas for sloths and other vulnerable species.
2) Reducing the Number of Unsupervised Dogs
To reduce the number of roaming dogs, we partner with local rescue organizations, Puerto Viejo Dogs and Clinica Veterinaria Drs Arroyo & Solano, to provide sterilization for stray and rescued dogs throughout the South Caribbean region of Costa Rica.
3) Organizing Castration Clinics in Low-Income Areas
We run annual castration clinics in the South Caribbean, including a special clinic in the high-risk region of Tortuguero National Park. These clinics focus on low-income and indigenous communities, ensuring that the dogs most in need—and the people who care for them—receive support.
4) OMD! Academy: Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership
Through the Oh My Dog Academy, we provide community education on responsible dog ownership and wildlife-friendly practices. We have developed a set of guidelines to help pet owners reduce the risk of their dogs harming wildlife. Additionally, we offer free dog training courses throughout the year to promote safe and effective training methods.
Coexisting with Nature
In today’s world, where humans and their pets occupy nearly every corner of the planet, finding ways to harmonize our existence with nature is essential for the future of conservation. Oh My Dog! is a proactive and inclusive approach that ensures the safety of sloths and other wildlife while fostering a more responsible and caring community.
