SayulitAnimals was founded in response to the problems of overpopulation, sick neglected pets and street animals, lack of knowledge in the community about animals, and unwanted pets. Deficient resources and information lead to suffering, disease, and injury of both animals and people! There was a constant need for change! SayulitAnimals started and currently operated by one of its founders, Sara Briner, wanted to transform this dismal situation through five programs: 

• Free Spay and Neuter
• Foster Program
• Adoption Program
• Medical Aid for street animals
• Community Education 

In addressing these local problems, SayulitAnimals helps the community by reducing transmission of disease, environmental contamination, damage to natural habitats, injuries derived from dog bites and fights and general health of the local animals. SayulitAnimals hopes to see the organization free from financial and legal limitations. We believe that with our current supporters and those that will join our pack in the future, we will have the resources to successfully continue and expand. Of course, the ideal is that in time all cats and dogs will have safe, loving homes and be free of suffering. 

SayulitAnimals’ Founder & President, Sara Briner came to Mexico from Switzerland in 2003, and eventually settled down in Sayulita in 2005. Her first dog Esmeralda, a 2 month old supermutt from the area, opened her heart and eyes to the suffering of dogs and cats in the community. As she continued to witness more suffering and maltreatment, Sara decided to do something about it! Her life is now dedicated to animal welfare and community education. Along with running the administration of the organization, Sara heads up SayulitAnimals' Spay and Neuter Clinics, Foster Program, Adoption Program , and assists with Medical Aid. Our Adoption program connects lost and abandoned dogs and cats with new owners and homes in Mexico, the US, Canada and across the globe.

Shelly Yogev is head of SayulitAnimals’ Medical Aid Program, Fundraising and Kennel Shop (our merchandise kiosk in downtown Sayulita!). She was born in Jerusalem, Israel and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois. She has been living in Sayulita full-time since October, 2006, and has an M.D. and a Masters in Public Health. With her medical background, she specializes in acute cases at SayulitAnimals. When she arrived in Sayulita, she instantly saw the overwhelming need for medical aid for street animals in Sayulita. She began taking in street dogs on day one. Shelly walks her talk: she has been a volunteer for 13 years as Sara’s right-hand gal. She also provides a loving home for fosters and several of her own adopted Sayulita street dogs.

Zeedie, originally from Washington State and a huge dog lover from the get go, visited Sayulita for the first time in 2010. During her visit she met Sara, founder of Sayulitanimals, and that was the beginning of a dream to become true. Fast forward and 10 years later, Zeedie made the move to Sayulita in 2020 and joined forces with Sayulitanimals. She manages the merchandise and information booth in town, is the head of the volunteer team and has rescued and fostered many dogs since her arrival. She dedicated her life to dogs and cats in need and is now an invaluable member of the 

Sayulitanimals family. 

The beginning years were fraught with challenges: including very little funding, the lack of a stable pool of volunteers who could lend hands-on support, and the educational resources needed gently and respectfully to reverse the view of animals as disposable annoyances. Little by little, a difference became evident and continues to evolve. In its first year of operation, SayulitAnimals sterilized 360 animals, found over 40 animals loving, new homes and we placed nearly 30 animals in foster care. There was also a visible difference in the health of unplaced, street dogs and cats and community awareness of the organization began to grow. 13 years later SayulitAnimals programs have more than doubled in numbers and the organization continues to contribute to the communities wellbeing.   SayulitAnimals is a force in animal 

welfare and continues to care with compassion.

Connecting hearts of animals and people around the world!