CANDi... saving the lives of stray cats and dogs through spay, neuter and adoption programs supported by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers.

Are you a Non-Profit tax-exempt organization?

Yes we are.  This means that donations made are considered a tax write-off!  This is available for Canadian and US donors.  We are staffed by volunteers only.  No one is paid, including our Board of Directors and Officers.  Our US ID number is 20-5299890.  In Canada you can receive a tax receipt for your donations through our partnership with Tides Canada.

Where is my donation money used?

We are a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is run by 100% volunteers.  All donations go towards our mission of saving lives by supporting our spay/neuter and adoption programs.  All our promotional material, design and technical support of our website is donated through dedicated people and companies who support our work.

What do I do if I find a stray dog or cat that needs help?

There are several things you can do.  Visit our Get Involved - As a Tourist webpage for details.

Don't Mexico and the Caribbean countries have laws to protect animals?

Yes, many do, but they are usually not enforced.  Animal abuse and neglect is often ignored.

With so many unwanted stray animals, why don't people in Mexico and the Caribbean spay and neuter their pets?

People everywhere love their pets and don't want them to keep having puppies and kittens that end up homeless.  But few people realize that sterilization is an option.  Compounding this lack of awareness are simple economics.  In Mexico, spay surgery can cost the equivalent of several weeks' pay.

Why does CANDi focus its adoption efforts on dogs and not cats?

Ideally, we would like to help all animals, but the truth is that cats born on the streets are much more difficult to socialize than dogs born on the streets.  That means they are less adoptable.  But, if you make friends with a cat while on vacation and want to bring it home, we will do everything we can to help.

Another sad fact is that cat overpopulation continues to be a problem even in areas of the United States and Canada where dog populations have been brought under control.  That means it is difficult to send cats to shelters for adoption, because those shelters typically are already full of local cats.

Why adopt a dog from another country when there are so many dogs in Canada and the United States that need homes?

Mexico is an emerging country, poverty is the norm and the government is corrupt. We are fortunate to live in a country that in many cases takes care of our most basic needs.  There are organizations inside Mexico that are working towards raising the level of existence for many Mexicans but there is not enough energy or money left over to even consider the plight of the animals.  In the US and Canada there are people working hard to protect the animals but in Mexico at this time foreigners will have to pick up this responsibility when ever possible.  Animals know no borders.

CANDi works with a select group of humane partners in Canada and the US who have high adoption rates and a great fostering program.  Our main humane partners in Canada are in Calgary and Edmonton.  Pawsitive Match Rescue is such a partner, located in Calgary, Alberta.- (www.pawsitivematch.org) – Pawsitive Match Rescue has a resource of over 75 foster homes ready to help.  Dogs are pre-approved to their adoption and foster homes BEFORE they arrive in to Canada.  Their bio's are posted and chosen by their foster or adoptive family.  A program that is highly effective for everyone involved.

Calgary is home to over 1 million people and many of them love their pets.  As an example, in all of Canada, Calgary has the lowest euthanasia rate, boasts over a 90% adoption rate (at their local humane society), has a full service veterinary clinic for shelter animals, has an extensive post-adoption support system, approximately 300 dedicated volunteers, a wildlife referral network and many on-going partnerships with vets, the city of Calgary and other animal welfare organizations.

In the United States CANDi works with its humane partners (local animal groups/shelters) that have a similar program.  Dogs are brought in to animal loving communities where adoption rates are high and have a similar foster program.

It is because of the support of Air Transat and the local animal groups we work with (both in Canada and Mexico and the Caribbean) that dogs and cats are given an opportunity of a loving home – something they would have never found in Mexico or the Caribbean.  A life is saved from living in suffering, disease and malnutrition.

If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, please email Darci at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it