The pet culture in Dominican Republic

42358POSTS

7 years ago

Hey everyone,

Pets are an integral part of a lot of families. So much so that they would never consider moving abroad without them. Before doing so, it would be important to know the pet culture in Dominican Republic just to make sure that their little 聯expets聰 feel welcomed in their new homes. Would you give our expats-to-be an insight of what it is like to have a pet in Dominican Republic by answering the following questions?

What part do pets play in society in Dominican Republic? Are they generally accepted in rentals and public spaces more generally?

Is it common for families to have pets?

What animal is the most often kept as pets? Are there some animals that cannot be kept as pets? Do some animals have specific significations when kept as pets?

How about the infrastructure needed to cater for pets? Can you find everything you need for your pet in terms of pet food, veterinary services, accessories, pet grooming etc...?

Do people generally spend a lot of money on their pets?

Please share your experience,

Priscilla

1 member reacted to this post

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Guest2022 Guest

0POSTS

7 years ago

By and large the average Dominican( across the length and breadth of the country in rural areas and small towns as well as cities) may have dogs, cats and more likely cockerels, and possibly mules and horses but more for transport in the latter case. I am sure a wider range of pets is there but haven't seen much in my years living here other than fish and the odd parrot. Dogs are often kept for security purposes but more often than not allowed to roam free. It is not unusual to see dogs and cats mistreated including being kicked when in the way. Cockerels get best treatment by the men and a good one is prized. Pitbulls and Rottweilers are popular dogs for security and often untrained so beware.

Increasingly the growing middle class Dominicans are keeping pets and especially the smaller dogs. Dogs are classified by number rather than breed in general. The small dogs are number ones and so on. Now in Santo Domingo it is not uncommon to see some聽 Dominicans walking their dogs and yet others fenced in their dogs 24/7. Cleaning up dog mess is not something commonly done so caution when walking along footpaths and roads. I find the dogs a damn nuisance in residential areas at night, especially the small dogs which seem to yap incessantly.

A lot of hotels do not allow pets.

Expats stand out as different in how they look after and train their pets, but then again it is so annoying to see some of them walk their dogs daily along the wonderful beaches of Las Terrenas for example and not clean up the dog mess!

It is uncommon to see what I consider to be the better dog breeds here, such as Labradors, except with expats and well off familes, and to be honest this is not a country where pet dogs and cats are sufficiently respected yet so don't automatically expect best treatment when out and about with your pets. I've seen several advertisment hoardings across the country recently promoting better treatment for pets rather than pet abuse.

There are vetinery services and outlets across the country and many of them are associated with the argricultural merchants. There are good vetinery services in the areas where expats reside and in the city.

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

7 years ago

First thing to understand is that many live in poverty here.聽 Subsistence is common. So pets are not treated as many foreigners would treat them.

They are often fed table scraps, whatever there is. There is often no medical care for them either.

The treatment of animals is starting to change.聽 Many Expat rescue groups operate here.

Recently laws were passed regarding animal abuse!聽 And there is some enforcement of these laws.

Bringing your pets here is common.聽 They are widely accepted in rentals here. They are not widely accepted in hotels or resorts.

Buying new pets here - be very very careful as inbreeding is rampant!

There are lots of vets and most foods etc are available.

1 member reacted to this post

MKruissen Member

17POSTS

7 years ago

Well, I have never imported a pet from Europe, so our Rockey is not realy an Expet. But he is my friend and has been for more than elleven years now. Yes the photograph was taken a long time ago.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLWTVoX-CtM/XIZwUI2HJMI/AAAAAAAADPs/hrlHc8XNlL8fzRQYPT8YEcoW-wOOJSm4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Rocky.jpg

Dominican people do not generally keep their dogs in the house or in the garden. The dogs just live on the streets, sometimes with regular food, sometimes not.
Rockey is a half-breed pittbull and as I mentioned, my friend. He lives in our small garden and has a proper dog-house. We take care of him, and he guards our house for us. Well, he did when he was younger. When my wife fell into a construction pit, long time ago, he was the first to try and pull her out, knowing that would be impossible, he still tried. (She got out unharmed, thank you.)

Rockey is getting old now,聽 losing his eyesight, his signature bark and his hearing. This may mean he will become dangerous, if he does not recognise one of us. So we are keeping a keen eye on him, talking to him all the time we are near. He is friendly and enthousiastic when he smells, hears, feels me, a little less so towards my wife. We will take care of him with a lot of love and affection, until the end.

I fear that soon we will have to go see a vet for Rockey. (I just had to take a break here).

We will get us another Pittbull, as they are very faithful and not as dangerous as they are made to be in the press. Protective yes, dangerous, absoluterly not. You have to get to know them though! The pittbull will guard you and your house better than any alarm system ever could. He will be your friend for as long as he lives and is aware of his surroundings. But please do nor treat him like Dominican people often treat their dogs. Give him a home and make him part of your family, he will be forever grateful to you.

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Glauriel Contributor

183POSTS

7 years ago

A topic very dear to my heart. I do rescue work in LT.聽 My experience is that expats as a rule take good care of their pets. But some expats do not! When they leave they abandon their dogs sometimes on the street or leave them at the former home to fend for themselves. Others abandon them at the local vets office.

There is a problem with too many abandoned dogs left to roam the streets. We as rescuer's try hard to spay and neuter them at spay/neuter clinics sponsored by volunteers. Its a heartbreaking reality here.

There is a dog grooming place here with Coco Dog vetinary clinic. Thete are two vet clinics here. So good care is available if desired. Many locals can't afford it though so again as a rescue person its hard to see the reality of dogs not well cared for here. It is often upsetting to visitors to see this so best to be prepared. Someone warned me before coming and glad they did.

This is not the happiest post but its a realistic one. Maybe if you come here instead of bringing a dog come rescue one! And when you leave take it with you or at least have it spayed or neuteted! Help solve the problem not contribute! Thanks!

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Erg196451 Member

1POSTS

last year

I live in the states. I will be retiring at 62. I plan on retiring in DR, Are there any animal sanctuaries? I would like to buy land and start one. My long term goal is to provide free veterinary services and rescue animals. Here in the states is very difficult, and there is a need, but you don鈥檛 see pets roaming in the streets.

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Steverino7777 Serial expat

258POSTS

last year

There is a massive need for animal rescue in the Dominican Republic. The streets are full of stray, starving dogs. It is absolutely heart breaking to see these poor animals struggling to survive. Many sustain machete injuries from irate locals and poisoning is very popular here because these animals must forage in the garbage to survive. We have 2 rescue dogs聽 and 1 cat from the street in our family in La Romana. We have 4 dogs and 5 cats in our family now. We spay our cats and all pets have access to vet services here when needed.

There are vet services in Bayahibe Bay that perform surgery at a discount for stray dogs. We had a dog in our neighborhood that was hit by a car and was hopping around on 3 legs while the 4th was broken. It struggled to find water and food and it slept under cars at night. We took her in after 3 weeks and paid $500.00 to have that broken leg removed surgically. We then had a man from Toronto adopt her and she went north to Canada before these adoptions were halted 2 years ago......

Please contact me privately if you wish to discuss further....

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

last year

Your wanting to help us admirable. May I suggest you move here or visit for at least 6 months and get the lay of the land. There are rescue groups all over the island.聽 There are some sanctuaries as well.聽 Offering free vet services may not be legal if you are not licensed here.聽聽One of the largest rescue organizations is DCDR and they have a Facebook group.聽 Join and start reading and you will see the need for help. And I am sure they can offer guidance on how best to set yourself up.

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ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

1950POSTS

last year

As Planner suggests, check out and talk to their leaders about the needs and challenges here. I would also agree that you will likely not be able to legally provide vet services unless you become licensed here. One of the best ways to help is through education and awareness. I've volunteered many times over the years with sterilization and parasite clinics with DCDR and other organizations. Many Dominicans have dogs for protection and fully believe the myth that sterilized dogs lose their guarding instincts. If you are fluent in Spanish, outreach to the community goes a long way!

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copescloud Member

12POSTS

4 months ago

#10

@planner

This is so helpful and much appreciated. I experienced the worst of cry this morning in Santo Domingo. It was a dog I have become fond. I immediately turned to this forum. I want to help and contribute to helping as many furry lives as possible. I know have two organizations to turn to for starters and will research others.

A life is a life and fur lives deserved to be safe as possible, respected, fed and free from abuse. Thank you all for your input in this specific thread. 鉂わ笍

copescloud Member

12POSTS

4 months ago

#11

A life is a life and fur lives deserved to be safe as possible, respected, fed and free from abuse. Thank you all for your input in this specific thread.

copescloud Member

12POSTS

4 months ago

#12

A life is a life and fur lives deserved to be safe as possible, respected, fed and free from abuse. Thank you all for your input in this specific thread.