North of Sayulita, tucked into the surrounding hills, sits a place built entirely on compassion, resilience, and community — Hilltop Refugio.

More than a shelter, Hilltop Refugio is a lifeline for animals who would otherwise have nowhere to turn.

How It All Began

Hilltop Refugio’s story began in November 2012 with a single ride through the Sierra Madre foothills.

Donna, a visitor exploring the area, came across a heartbreaking scene — a lone horse standing like a mirage of bones and fur in a barren pasture. Nearby were fifteen horses, some already dead. She rode back immediately to tell George and Loretta what she had seen.

When they returned together, something remarkable happened. The lone horse walked away… then returned minutes later with six other horses, including a young colt whose mother had already died.

Within days, the Jaltemba Equine Education Project (J.E.E.P.) was formed so emergency funds could be raised to rescue the remaining horses.

When George and Donna later returned to bring the horses to safety, they feared the animals would never load into a trailer. But one horse – a four-year-old appaloosa named Chance – walked directly inside without a rope. One by one, the others followed.

Minutes later, once back in town, the trailer door opened again, and Chance collapsed, too weak to continue. Despite daily veterinary care, Chance’s liver failed, and he passed away.

His loss changed everything.

George and Loretta built permanent stables for the remaining horses. Volunteers – locals, travelers, retirees, and teenagers from the community – came together to help. Those teenagers, many unable to attend school due to poverty, became daily caretakers.

From that moment on, Hilltop Refugio was born.

Over time, the mission expanded beyond horses to include dogs, cats, kennels, dog runs, a surgery room, and a cat house. Today, Hilltop Refugio stands as a dedicated non-profit rescue and rehabilitation center.

The Mission & The Reality

Hilltop Refugio is the only physical animal shelter serving the area from Sayulita to Chacala — and often even beyond.

Each day begins at 7:00 AM.

Between 70 and 80 animals are cared for daily. Dogs, cats, and horses are fed, exercised, cleaned, medically evaluated, trained, and emotionally supported. Some animals require special diets. Others require daily medications. Vet visits, intake of new rescues, facility maintenance, training, and community outreach requests are constant.

Tours, adoptions, international paperwork, Flight Angel coordination, and assessments never stop.

The responsibility is immense — physically, emotionally, and financially.

Hilltop is a no-kill shelter, caring for animals from their first moments of rescue through recovery, rehabilitation, adoption, or compassionate end-of-life care.

The greatest challenges remain:

• Severe overpopulation
• Limited space
• Limited funding
• Ongoing education needs

Monthly spay and neuter clinics, community education, fostering support, and sponsorship programs are essential to making long-term change.

Hilltop asks the community to never abandon animals at their gates, as it puts the animal in danger. Communication first is critical.

Supporting Hilltop Refugio

Tours

Tours are held every Tuesday and Saturday and are vital to Hilltop’s survival.

They allow the public to connect, learn, and understand the challenges of animal welfare. They also provide crucial socialization for dogs awaiting adoption.

Even sitting quietly beside an animal helps build trust.

100% of tour proceeds go directly to Hilltop Refugio.

Annual Fundraiser

Hilltop hosts just one major fundraiser each year on January 23rd, making every peso, dollar, and donation essential.

Feeding, medications, vet care, facility maintenance, outreach, and education programs all depend on continued support.

The Hilltop Experience

Visitors are greeted by joyful barking — the dogs know it’s tour day.

You can:

• Take a guided tour
• Walk a dog
• Sit and read with a “furbuddy”
• Visit the horses (including new resident Whinney the miniature horse)
• Meet the cats
• Visit Opie the miniature pig
• Shop in the gift store
• Enjoy the concession stand

Hilltop is interactive, warm, and alive.

Book Your Tour Here: https://www.sayulitalife.com/hilltop-refugio

The Moment Everyone Remembers

Visitors always smile.

But the moment that defines Hilltop is when someone looks into a dog’s eyes for the first time.

That silent connection often brings tears — and often creates lifelong supporters of the Refugio.

Education & Community

Hilltop welcomes local schools to teach children compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals and the environment.

Change in animal welfare is generational.

Teaching children about spay and neuter, training, patience, and lifelong care empowers them to become future protectors of animals.

Partnerships Matter

Hilltop works alongside other organizations and sponsors like CarNGo because true change requires collaboration.

Animal welfare is not solved alone — it is built together.

Looking Ahead

Hilltop’s greatest hope is to achieve a balanced and sustainable animal population, where the number of animals in need does not exceed the number of available loving homes.

Monthly spay and neuter clinics, education, and community commitment are the path forward.

How You Can Help

You can support Hilltop Refugio by:

• Visiting the shelter
• Sponsoring an animal (500–1000 pesos monthly)
• Donating via PayPal or e-transfer to: hilltoprefugioinfo@gmail.com
• Sharing their story
• Leaving a TripAdvisor review
• Adopting locally or internationally

Before You Visit

Be ready to be surrounded by love, joy, barking, and laughter.

Ask for a leash. Ask questions. Take photos. Share them.

And most importantly — know that every visit helps keep Hilltop Refugio alive.

Visit Hilltop Refugio’s Sayulita Life Listing and Book a Tour: https://www.sayulitalife.com/hilltop-refugio