If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. - St. Francis of Assisi It's a common complaint: tourists spend thousands of dollars to vacation in destinations boasting sun, sand, and natural beauty only to encounter stray dogs and cats suffering on the beaches and streets, dying of starvation or injury, and desperate for help. These sights and experiences soon sadden vacationers, many of whom vow never to return. We know this because of overwhelming anecdotal evidence: the hundreds of letters and emails received by local animal welfare groups and tourist boards every year; the vacation chat forums where animal lovers are advised to avoid certain destinations altogether; and the petitions calling for travel boycotts of areas in which abuse is known to have taken place. There is statistical evidence as well. A report released in 2002 by the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association estimated that the Caribbean island loses an average of $15 million a year in direct and indirect costs as a result of the stray animal problem. Appalled and disheartened by the animal suffering, many tourists wonder why something isn't being done. The truth is that local governments usually have limited funds to contribute to a humane solution. Instead, their response is often to round up stray animals and destroy them by electrocution, drowning, or worse. This inhumane "fix" not only fails to solve the underlying problem, but also results in negative publicity and lingering stigma. As members of a global community, tourists and those in the tourism industry have the unique opportunity to support animals in need, creating humane, enjoyable, and coveted vacation destinations around the world. CANDi provides the framework for such an opportunity. Unlike any other animal welfare organization, CANDi brings together business interests, economic interests, and charitable interests to implement consistent, effective, and replicable humane programs wherever they are needed most. Together, we can create real change in the lives of cats and dogs.
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