Large Foundation Projects

Large Foundation Projects

Community Dog Maintenance Program

Community dogs are free-roaming dogs that were previously homeless, abandoned, unowned dogs that lived on the streets but have been claimed by Amici Cannis as community-owned pets. They have been sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and collared. These dogs get to lead a high-quality, free-roaming life in a temperate climate with the entire community supporting them. They are receiving food and veterinary care from Foundation Amici Cannis on a regular basis.


We desperately need continued funding to maintain this group of community-owned dogs for all of their veterinary needs and feeding programs. Consider donating a substantial amount toward this long-term project to allow us to make timely decisions about the care of these dogs. As a Foundation Project supporter, you will receive recognition in our Foundation Annual Report as well as a unique handmade gift from  Ecuador. 

Indigenous Village Sterilization and Veterinary Care Program

There are 24 indigenous villages surrounding Cotacachi within a 10 km radius. Many of these families make below the minimum salary of $450 per month and are living with very scarce resources. Their income provides for basic human needs, making veterinary care an unaffordable luxury. The indigenous villages rely on their pets for the security of their homes as well as to protect their farm animals and develop significant bonds with these animals that are very different from the human-animal bond associated with our companion pets. 

Our Goal

We have an ambitious goal of embarking on multi-year, large-scale sterilization, vaccination, deworming, and basic veterinary care campaigns in these communities that achieve a greater than 80% sterilization rate, allow direct contact for consultations with the Veterinarians, technical team, and the animal owners so that we can educate the families on animal welfare and appropriate care. The results will have an enormous impact on cultural change in regard to these animals’ quality of life. This will also address the source of the problem that feeds the roaming dog population in the town of Cotacachi. These uncared-for neglected and even abused dogs escape the villages into town seeking food and survival and become part of our street dog problem. 


With no government funding, Foundation Amici Cannis operates solely on donations from compassionate animal lovers around the world. We pride ourselves on the efficient use of funds so that the maximum number of animals can be helped.  As a Foundation Project supporter, you will receive recognition in our Foundation Annual Report as well as a unique handmade gift from Ecuador.

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