Meet Helen Wirt, a remarkable woman who has devoted her life to protecting the lives of stray and abandoned dogs.
Despite never having owned a dog throughout her first 50 years, she now cares for over 200 canines in need.
When Baldwin arrived, everything changed.
Helene Wirt’s troubles began in 1997, when she lost her father and divorced her husband. But this was also the year she received Baldwin, a puppy in need of a loving home.
Wirt told The Dodo, “He saved and altered my life.” “I had no idea what was going on inside of me.” Perhaps for the first time in my life, I felt appreciated.”
Wirt decided to follow whatever sensation she was having, thus she battled every day for the next 19 years to save the lives of hundreds of dogs in need.
Wirt dubbed her home in San Ramon, Costa Rica, ‘Dogland,’ and these are just a handful of her many adoring puppies.
Despite the fact that her first rescue, Baldwin, has since died, Dogland now has over 250 canines, all of which Wirt cares for on a daily basis.
She does not, however, do it alone; the number of individuals working on the project has grown over time.
Wirt has made arrangements for every dog that passes through Dogland to be fed, medically examined, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and, of course, thoroughly entertained.
Wirt, as shown in the photo below, takes a hands-on approach to maintaining the well-being of her dog family.
Wirt contributes the majority of the project’s funds from her personal money.
Wirt was born in Austria and studied finance before working for the Austrian government for several years before starting her own tax consulting firm.
She moved to Costa Rica in 1991 and has spent the majority of her salary since 1997 caring for the dogs that come her way.
Wirt isn’t affluent; the expenditures of daily needs and medical care add up, but that doesn’t stop her from living lavishly.
“If I had to only take care of myself, I could live a leisurely and also quite comfortable life, but I don’t know how I would live luckier.”
She considers the dogs to be members of her family and will only adopt them if they would have a better life than they do at Dogland.
Due of backyard breeding in Costa Rica, which prejudices against strays, Wirt feels that Dogland is a better home for the puppies than some of the options.
“Many people in Costa Rica illegally breed dogs to avoid going to work or to boost their income.”
Despite the fact that the organization is too large for one person to govern, Wirt is certain that much more has to be done for dogs all over the world.
“What I’m doing is a drop in the ocean.” I can’t change the world, but I can influence how the world changes for the dog. In this way, it is priceless.”
If you would like to help Helen and her pups, please click here to donate to Dogland!