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Nosara Animal Care (NAC) is a Costa Rican-based animal welfare organization founded in 2008, by Canadian Sarah Foster. Nosara is a rural village on the pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste. In 2010, NAC received its official non-profit designation and continues its work in Nosara and surrounding communities to this day.
Through community outreach and in-school education programs, NAC promotes the understanding of responsible and compassionate care for dogs and cats. To reduce the numbers of unwanted and sick animals, we organize and sponsor low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics. We also arrange access to and contribute toward veterinary services for at-risk animals living in low-income homes.
We have a NO-KILL policy. Our rescue/rehab program takes in injured homeless animals, works to restore them to health, and with the help of foster families, houses them until they are adopted. We do not euthanize unless an animal is suffering and the consulting veterinarian advises that it would be the most compassionate outcome.
Ours is a costly, labor-intensive effort, and we rely on business sponsors, grants, donations, and volunteers to stay operational.
Please visit our Volunteer and Donate pages for information about how you can support our efforts.
Helping to connect animals-in-need or pet owners to information and necessary resources
Finding safe and loving temporary and permanent homes for the animals in our care
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Isis has been living in Nosara since 2011 and joined NAC in 2014. A physical therapist by profession, Isis also supervises our NACed/Super Dueños program and assists with social media and fundraising efforts.
Alex, the Vice President of the NAC Foundation, is passionate about animal welfare and manages donations to support the foundation’s mission effectively. Alex, also a real estate professional, brings a strategic and compassionate approach to work. Outside work, Alex enjoys playing guitar and surfing, embracing nature and music.
Born in the United States, Lani has been living in Nosara since 2019 and joined NAC in 2022. As a retired non-profit CFO, Lani is distinctly and highly qualified for her board position and continues to run a tight ship for us here at NAC, with financial planning and management.
Carlos is of Costa Rican-Swiss Nationality. He has been living in Nosara since 2021 and joined NAC in 2022. An economist by profession, Carlos now organizes the board meeting schedule (like clockwork).
Born in the United States, Madeleine is a former veterinary technician with a love for dogs and a commitment to advancing preventative medicine. They’re dedicated to educating our community about pet care and fostering a deeper understanding of our furry friends’ needs. Along with managing Mermaids, Madeleine overseeas the Outreach team.
Ashley, originally from the United States, moved to Nosara in 2010 after visiting Costa Rica since 1999. She introduced her unique Breathwork style to the community and supports healing. Ashley is a member of the Nosara Animal Care board since 2023, serving as the fundraising liaison.
Michael is a retired engineer who moved to Nosara from the United States in 2020. A lifelong lover of animals, Michael is thrilled to channel this love into his role as secretary for NAC. He currently teaches accessible yoga as a way of sharing the benefits of yoga with people of all skill levels and abilities.
Mima is Costa Rican and has lived in Nosara since 2016. She is a preschool teacher and has led our in-school education program, Super Dueños since 2022. Mima also finds herself gifted with an intuitive understanding of animals which helps in her work as an educator for NAC.
Felipe is a herpetologist from Costa Rica and has lived in Nosara for the past 2 years. With a passion for reptiles and amphibians, his work on the vibrant ecosystems of Costa Rica has deepened our understanding of the unique species found in the region, contributing to important conservation efforts. When he’s not conducting field research, Felipe enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Nosara and sharing his knowledge with the community
