DEDICATION photos by Joseph Frazz Photography
CANDi International—
Saving the Lives of Stray Cats and Dogs through Spay, Neuter, and Adoption Programs Supported by the Tourism Industry, Travelers, and Pet Lovers. Sasha Levine reports
After selling her travel business, Dargal Interline, in 2005, Darci Galati decided to take a vacation with her family to Cancun, Mexico. “At the time my twin girls were eight and my youngest daughter was five, so they were old enough to see and become disturbed by seeing the stray dogs and puppies on the streets. During our two week stay, we spent a lot of time outside of the resort so it wasn’t hard to miss them because they were everywhere, which is very common in Mexico.” They also became attached to several starving cats they fed each evening. “On our last night at the resort, my girls and I cried knowing that according to hotel staff, the resort would likely poison these cats—a horrible death of suffering and pain.” Darci explains that she subsequently found out how the local government handles the stray dog overpopulation. She says that before each tourist season begins, the government pound picks up truckloads of dogs (strays and even family pets). Then, they take them back to a warehouse where the dogs are destroyed by electrocution. “That night my girls asked me if I could help the stray dogs and cats and I told them that I would, a promise that has profoundly changed our lives.”
This was how she became the President and Founder of Cats and Dogs International (CANDi). Her first notion was to build a shelter, but reconsidered after further research because it seemed unsustainable. Then the idea dawned on her: the travel industry, as well as the travelers themselves who witness these heartbreaking scenes, might be willing to help. “With their support of CANDi’s programs that include locally sustainable spay/neuter campaigns and education programs, tourism businesses can show their pet-loving and environmentally conscious customers that they really care.” Darci says that since CANDi was founded in 2006, the organization has conducted five spay/neuter clinics in Cancun, sterilizing thousands of dogs and cats, and preventing millions of animals from being born into a life of suffering. “Vets and volunteers from Canada and the U.S. are flown in and one of our major sponsors, Air Transat, donates rooms and local transportation for our group.” They have also created CANDi’s Cat Café Program. “Many resorts treat the cat overpopulation problem at the resorts as a ‘pest/rodent problem.’ The method of control is generally to
poison the cats.” Under the Cat Café Program, the resort sets aside an area where cats are given shelter, food, and water. Through CANDi’s partnerships with local animal organizations the cats are altered and given health care. CANDi hopes that many tourism corporations will realize that animal lovers make up a major percentage of tourists. “A study was done over a three year period in Puerto Rico which revealed that Puerto Rico was losing over 15 million dollars a year because of the stray dog problem. Tourists simply would not return. Even after this study was done, to date, no new policies have been implemented. CANDi is working on changing that.” Darci explains that by supporting humane animal treatment policies and procedures, tourism businesses may display the Tourism Cares™ logo, which would attract more tourists. If you would like to help these animals, Darci says travelers should spread the word about CANDi and its programs. They are also looking for volunteers and donations. For more details about this amazing organization, visit www.candiinternational.org.
The American Dog Magazine | Fall 2011 53