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 Cat and Dogs International (CANDi) is the dream of Darci Galati, who founded the organization in 2006 as a registered 501(c)(3) charity and serves as CEO and President. Galati combines a successful track record in business with an unflinching determination to make a difference in the lives of stray cats and dogs around the world.
A resident of Kelowna, British Columbia, Galati has been involved in the tourism industry for almost 20 years. In 1994, she founded Dargal Interline (www.dargal.com), which became one of the largest interline travel agencies in North America and the United Kingdom. Throughout her business career, Galati traveled extensively, witnessing both the inhumane treatment of stray cats and dogs and the negative effect that it had on the vacation experience. Believing that something could be done to help these animals, while at the same time enhancing the traveler’s experience, she envisioned a unique collaboration between animal welfare organizations and the tourism industry. Her goal is to provide tools and programs to tourism – both corporate and individual – that improve the lives of stray cats and dogs, while also enhancing the environment of travel destinations and enriching the tourism experience around the world. "I am proud to be part of such a powerful industry as tourism, which has been so good to me. Now it's my turn to give back by helping the industry capitalize on the growing trend toward social responsibility," said Galati. "So many tourists are also animal lovers who can’t bear to spend their vacations watching animals suffer. The tourism industry is in a unique position to respond to their client needs while at the same time improving the lives of animals." Pictured here are Galati and her dog JJ, a beloved family member who once struggled to survive on the streets of Mexico.
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