Milagros Caninos

Milagros Caninos, A.C. was founded in 2004 by activist and author Paty Ruiz, after the death of her dachshund Clavo. It describes itself as the first sanctuary in Latin America for dogs in extreme situations: animals that are blind, deaf, paralysed, burned, living with cancer or recovering from abuse. Many of its residents would have little chance of adoption elsewhere.

The sanctuary occupies nearly two hectares of former hacienda land in San Bartolomé Xicomulco, Xochimilco, on the southern edge of Mexico City. There are no cages: dogs and cats live loose in areas grouped by temperament, energy and size. A team led by medical director Dr Osvaldo Vital and sanctuary coordinator Miriam Nieto, with veterinary assistants and full-time carers, provides treatment ranging from chemotherapy to reconstructive surgery, prosthetics and wheelchairs. The sanctuary's own figures show 483 dogs and 129 cats in its care; 314 of the dogs cannot be adopted because of age or illness and will live out their lives there, and the animals get through around 125 kg of food a day.

Animals are only put up for adoption once fully recovered (169 dogs are currently listed as adoptable), and never if they have cancer, are elderly or need very costly treatment. Adopters pre-register, visit the sanctuary and meet the vet before taking an animal home. The sanctuary also runs guided visits, which are arranged through its contact form. Those who cannot adopt can sponsor a resident through the "apadrina" programme, which includes updates and visits. Paty Ruiz also created Mexico City's Monument to the Street Dog on Avenida Insurgentes Sur, modelled on one of the sanctuary's elderly dogs.

Milagros Caninos is a registered asociación civil (A.C.) funded entirely by public donations. You can give by card, PayPal or Clip, by bank deposit to its Banamex account, with Aeroméxico Premier points, or in kind (food, medical supplies, cleaning products). Tax-deductible receipts are issued on request by emailing your tax details and proof of donation to recurrentes@milagroscaninos.org.