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.

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, 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.

Registration 

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.