(Photo credit to Ricardo Pimentel Cordero/Facebook)

It’s raining cats and dogs- although in this case, it was just dogs. That phrase got a new meaning this week when a man in Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico helped save over 300 dogs from a deadly hurricane by keeping the thankful pups in his now fur-covered house. As Hurricane Delta ravaged numerous countries, including Jamaica, Nicaragua, Cayman Islands and parts of the United States, and leading up to $2.5 billion dollars in damage, it wasn’t just humans seeking shelter. Realizing this, Ricardo Pimentel decided to step up to the plate by becoming something of a Dr. Dolittle as he took in more than 300 dogs, multiple rabbits, chickens, and a hedgehog, even designating his patio as a place for huddled sheep to stay dry.

A photo showing Pimentel sitting amidst a sea of grateful dogs demonstrates not just the magnitude of Pimentel’s selfless efforts, but his total ease of the consequences. For even though his house foresaw a predictable mess at the hands of it’s furry occupants, Pimentel explained that it was of no importance to him. Talking to AP, he said “It doesn’t matter if the house is dirty, it can be cleaned. The things they broke can be fixed or bought again, but what’s beautiful is to see them happy, healthy and safe, without wounds and with the possibility of being adopted.” 

Having founded an animal sanctuary (known as Tierra de Animales or Land of the Animals), Pimentel knew a thing or two about how to care for deserted critters. He took to social media to voice his concerns over the welfare of the animals’ houses at his rescue, foreseeing the magnitude of the storm. What Pimentel could not have foreseen however, was how widespread his pleas would grow. After Delta passed, many volunteered either their money, resources or time so they could assist in the cleaning up of Tierra de Animales and the care of its animals. “We would like to think that thanks to all this attention, somebody would like to be part of the story and say: ‘I adopted a dog saved from that famous Hurricane Delta,’” Pimentel stated.

Pimentel’s heroic actions are living testimony of the persistent good on this planet. Not only did he save hundreds of animals from meeting a terrible fate, but Pimentel also provided the world with a crucial lesson on empathy. For in the words of Tierra de Animales’ slogan, “Leave footprints of kindness for others to follow.’