Charity Works: Rosey’s Wish "El Deseo De Rosey", The Story Of Rosey And Her Mission To End Animal Suffering

By Donna Lynes Miller

Rosey’s Wish, El Deseo de Rosey is an NGO currently operating in San Miguel de Allende with the mission to end animal suffering through their free mobile sterilization clinics. Their story is below. Have you ever thought about the relationship between humans and animals? Did we shape them or did they shape us? The answer is most likely both; a symbiotic relationship that began at least 15,000 years ago. Whether you consider yourself a “dog person” or a “cat person” we animal lovers owe these domesticated creatures.

So, what do we owe them? Firstly, “gratitude” as they supported human evolution with hunting, security and companionship. Secondly “awareness” that they are solely dependent upon humans. Without care from humans, they are sentenced to a life of starvation, disease, suffering and a lonely death. Hundreds, if not thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens are born every year here in San Miguel de Allende. Most sentenced to be homeless, mothers lacking nourishment to produce milk, on the street, born in trash piles or worse. It is amazing that they enter this world ready to play, to give and receive love like any other youngster. But unless they are rescued, their chance of survival is bleak. It is estimated that each year 2000 survive but only 20% are rescued and adopted leaving 80% to suffer and die. How can this happen in a city filled with so much abundance?

The back story of Rosey’s Wish began in October 2022 with my “awareness”. It was a beautiful fall day in central Mexico as I was participating in a kindergarten celebration near Presa Allende. The day was filled with happiness, kids, presents, and food. But in the middle of these festivities, a 6-month-old female dog was obviously starving, sick and scrounging for a bite of food. The big dogs bullied her, and the people were indifferent to her suffering. I fed her the food from my plate, later leaving with a goodbye hug and kiss. I have never felt such sadness in my heart at leaving her, and while the story has more twists and turns, I did rescue and foster this dog.

I named her Rosey and she was my burning motivation to turn awareness into action. The action started in 2023 with a group of animal lovers gathering to determine how we could help put an end to this needless suffering. Over the next 2 years we performed 193 sterilizations in four free clinics. It became obvious that the most sustainable way to end the suffering was to curb overpopulation through sterilization. Our now president, Joe Howell, named our organization Rosey’s Wish, officially El Deseo de Rosey SMA, and we became a U.S. 501(c)(3) and Mexican A.C. He also performed a miracle by securing the donation of a dog transport bus that we eventually transformed into a mobile sterilization clinic. We named the bus Rosey.

The legions that joined our cause in 2025 are to be celebrated for making possible 28 clinics and 1,203 sterilizations (531 cats – 672 dogs). Our team has skilled veterinarians, including two amazing vets provided by the state of Guanajuato, and volunteer teams managing registration and recovery at our clinics. Fundraising teams manage our quarterly garage sales and Tracey Gallagher manage. events. Most importantly, we have animal loving donors who share our vision.

While we are proud of our 2025 success, we have developed an aggressive plan for 2026. We will increase our number of free surgeries from 1,203 to 2,000! Each clinic costs approximately $1,000 USD. But we have no doubt we will achieve our plan with the help of our volunteers and donors. Be part of this miracle by joining fellow animal lovers on February 26 for Fix & Fizz, our first major fundraiser for the year!.  Location: Johnny’s Piano Bar & Casa Linda Hotel. Food by Ruby Joy, live entertainment including Operisima SMA, and auction items galore await you. Visit our website to purchase tickets. www.roseyswish.org

Thank you for reading our story. Spread the word!– Make others aware. Let’s make San Miguel de Allende the “Best Little City in the World for Animals too.”

Donna Lynes Miller Co-Founder, Treasurer 501(c)(3) and Mexican AC

Joe Howell, President 501(c)(3) and Mexican AC

Ashlee Lane, Secretary 501(c)(3)

Cacho Molina Secretary Mexican AC

Jay Kamanski, Medical Director

IG roseys_wish