What happens in Costa Rica when a rescued wild animal is too injured to ever return to the wild, but is not at the end of its natural life?
iRescue Animal Sanctuary steps in. And what a blessing that is for both the animals and the over-crowded animal sanctuaries throughout the country.

The sad truth is that Costa Rican animal sanctuaries are overwhelmed by wild animals, many too injured or handicapped to ever return to the wild and survive. These animals syphon off scarce and valuable resources – think veterinary care, food, living space, labor, and of course, money. The sanctuary becomes severely compromised in its operational resources. The animals find themselves disabled, confined to a small space, and often ignored due to overcrowding of the sanctuary combined with insufficient staffing. These animals usually do not live very long. These animals need a compassionate animal retirement “forever home”.
The mission of iRescue is to save those doomed creatures who have nowhere else to go, and often have been harmed by humans, automobiles, or misguided pet owners who think a wild raccoon might make a fun pet — only to lose interest soon thereafter. iRescue provides these animals with a comfortable existence for their final years, including healthy food, vet care, and a custom habitat where they can live out the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort.

iRescue Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that Americans can deduct any and all donations to them off their US tax returns, even though the sanctuary is operated in Costa Rica. The mission statement for the organization states,
“Here at the iRescue Sanctuary we are committed to providing permanent housing, care, and quality of life to a very special category of animals. These are the animals and birds that can never be released back into the wild because of permanent disability or severe over domestication.”
What a charming group of animals iRescue has collected! A standout example is “Bubba”, a White-nosed Coati (known in Costa Rica as a pizote), who was found as a tiny baby, barely alive, and brought to iRescue in an empty mayonnaise jar. In the subsequent twelve years, Bubba has become an ambassador for his species, appearing on TV more than ten times. He now kicks back in his retirement enclosure with several raccoon buddies.

Also living a retirement Life of Riley are “Hook” the one-eyed Osprey, “Blossom” the Porcupine, “Jack” and “Jill” the raccoons, a Hawk, a white tailed deer and fawn, “Earl the Squirrel“ & buddies, and birds too numerous to count. The birds live in twin geodesic domes, which need to be replaced soon due to tropical corrosion.
Even more amazing at iRescue is the staff who keep the place functioning smoothly, despite the challenges of unique animal diets, living space needs, and animals just not meant to cohabitate.
Mike Graeber is the Managing Director and visionary force behind iRescue. Mike is a craggy faced outdoorsman with an animal whisperer aura which allows him to walk into the hawk enclosure holding only chunks of raw chicken, and emerge unscathed. He manages all facets of the operation with ease and kindness toward both the animals and his staff. Mike began his animal rescue mission at age ten when he found an injured Blue jay, and nursed it back to full health.

The onsite veterinarian is a Tica named Dr. Pricilla Ortiz, who is doing amazing stem cell research, as well as miraculously curing blind and handicapped animals as part of her regular pet care. Flavia Fiorillo, an Italian student of animal care, is on site feeding and caring for animals and keeping the sanctuary running seamlessly and happily. Juan Luis Torres Vargas is General Manager of the mother farm on which iRescue operates and master of all upkeep and maintenance. This is an incredibly small, yet powerful team, who keep the 500-acre Sanctuary functioning.
iRescue is funded completely through donations. The land was donated seven years ago by American philanthropist John Merritt, who still visits and supports the Sanctuary. He has built a mansion made entirely of bamboo on the property where distinguished visitors may soon be able to stay. The Sanctuary has launched a new website, and is planning a fundraising drive to support their Animal Kitchen Project, Dome Project, vet clinic and animal bodega, Perico Project, Jaguar Project, and other needed additions and improvements to the Sanctuary. These are ambitious goals, but ones Graeber plans to achieve with the help of community donations, and corporate sponsorships. And of course, his amazing staff.

The Sanctuary works closely with MINAE, Costa Rica’s Ministerio de Ambiente y Energia, the government organization in charge of the environment and animals. MINAE brings many animals they find injured or in distress, directly to iRescue, knowing they will be well attended.
Want to help iRescue in their animal rescue mission? The easiest way to support this wonderful endeavor, is by going to https://irescuewildlife.org and clicking the Donate button. At least look at the photos of the animals enjoying their recycled lives in the mountains high above Ojochal – enjoying their own Pura Vida paradise. It will surely warm your heart, and hopefully inspire you to give generously.