MISSION AND HISTORY

Mission Statement

Our mission is to protect and improve the lives of animals in Cotacachi and surrounding indigenous villages, in Ecuador. Our team provides high-quality veterinary services to stray dogs and cats, companion animals with owners, and those who cannot afford treatment. We combat abandonment and overpopulation, provide sterilization and emergency veterinary care, and teach children to respect and care for animals.

Our Founders

Meet our founders, Drs. Heather and Phillip Steyn. Heather and Phillip moved to Ecuador after witnessing the dire need for access to veterinary care in the country. To achieve a greater impact, the couple opened a veterinary hospital in Cotacachi and registered Amici Cannis as an organization in Ecuador and in the USA (501(c)3).


Drs. Heather and Phillip have put all their knowledge and skills into practice mentoring a young, talented, and dynamic group of Ecuadorian veterinarians. Together, this team provides dogs and cats with access to high-quality preventive care such as spay/neuter and vaccination and performs emergency surgery and life-saving treatments in their hospital. 

Our Work

Since opening the animal hospital, the Amici Cannis team has sterilized an average of 1,500 dogs and cats per year (over 10,000 animals to date in 2023) and provided medical care to thousands of pets and community dogs (previously street dogs).


Amici Cannis operates with a model of sustainability that allows the organization to reinvest funds into caring for the street dogs and cats of Cotacachi. We utilize a semi-annual free-roaming dog census which allows us to track our progress and document the impact of funding. Our greatest achievement to date is the stabilization of Cotacachi’s large community dog population through a robust TNR program using a dedicated mobile technician and our full-service animal hospital.


We maintain a good working relationship with the municipality and enjoy the goodwill of the residents of Cotacachi and the surrounding indigenous villages. 

Board

USA Advisory Board:

Dr. Jill Clark, DVM, IGNITE

Dr. Robert Murtaugh, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVECC

Dr. Dan Brod, DVM

Brent Morse, Morse Capital Partners

Trey Cutler, The Cutler Law Firm, P.C.

Ecuador Board:

Jim McKay - President

Lynn Herkes - Vice President

Dr. Heather Steyn - Treasurer

Angelina Galletti - Secretary

Mary Hellman - Member

Dr. Phillip Steyn - Member

Registration 

United States
Amici Cannis USA 501c3

FEIN#:   47-5463065

Ecuador
Fundación Amici Cannis
RUC#     1091788469001

Annual Report

Foundation Amici Cannis prides itself on the effective and efficient use of donated funds with complete transparency. Amici Cannis’ financial accounts are audited each year by independent accountants in Ecuador and the United States and are submitted to both governments. 

Annual Report 2022 Annual Report 2023
Share by: