International Adoptions

We offer transport to Calgary airport on Westjet from Nov 1 to May 15.

We may have a limited number of connecting flights from Calgary to Vancouver and Victoria.

Please check with us about available flights.

We don’t routinely fly dogs to the USA due to high transport costs and challenging airline policies.

If you have a friend or family member returning to the USA from Mazatlan and you would like them to transport a dog for you, please check with the airline for their pet transport policy and fees. If you are able to book a dog on the flight, we can arrange an adoption for you.

We rely on volunteers to transport dogs to Canada. Our transport schedule varies and depends on the availability of flight volunteers. Please check with us about available flights.

Westjet does not allow dogs in the cargo hold during these times:

• From May 15 to Nov 1 (heat restriction)
• Two weeks at Christmas

We cannot send puppies under 8 months to Canada due to Canada import regulations. However, it is possible for you to come to Mazatlan, adopt a puppy, and take it home.

It’s a lot like online dating...

• Start by submitting an adoption application.
• We will work with you to recommend potential matches based on your lifestyle and preferences.
• You review online profiles and let us know if you have questions.
• Once you have made your selection, we can start to arrange transport logistics

We encourage you to select a dog based on you and your family’s lifestyle, For example:

• If you have a very active lifestyle, a young energetic dog would be a good fit.
• If you are a couch potato, consider adopting a senior dog.
• If you have young kids, we will help you select a friendly, easy-going dog.

Please don’t select a dog based on appearance alone.

Our volunteers interact with and observe the dogs on a daily basis. We see them interact with other dogs, with people and on walks. We will share everything we know about a dog’s temperament.

We do not routinely cat test dogs, however we can do so on request.

Unless a dog was born at the sanctuary or has been in a foster home, we have no way of knowing if the dog is house trained. The majority of our rescued dogs were once family pets. Many of them are house trained, but we cannot guarantee this.

Dogs that are not well socialized are not placed for adoption. Instead our volunteers work with them or, when possible, they spend time in a foster home. Some dogs blossom and become adoptable quickly. Some dogs take longer. A few may become long-term sanctuary residents.

We are a rescue organization and the majority of our animals were abandoned and have spent time living on the street. Sometimes we find animals (especially litters of puppies and kittens) abandoned at the sanctuary gate.

We focus on rescuing abandoned dogs that are sick and injured. We have an on-site vet clinic and the resources to return them to good health.

Some of our dogs spend weeks or months in rehabilitation. Most make a remarkable recovery. Our vet decides when they are healthy and clears them for adoption. If an animal has long-term health issues, we will advise you during the selection process.

Cats generally come to us as kittens and, with a few exceptions, generally arrive in good health.

Unless a dog has been in a foster home, we have no way of know if it is house trained. Many of our rescued dogs were once family pets and are house trained, however we do not guarantee this.

We can hold an animal for international adoption if a flight opportunity is likely to come available soon. We will ask you to pay a deposit.

We do not hold dogs in the summer for transport in the winter. If you would like to adopt a dog early in our transport season (Nov 1 - May 15), please contact us in October and we can start the adoption process.

We pride ourselves on making good matches and have had very few “returns” from hundreds of international adoptions.

We encourage adopters to give dogs several weeks to relax and learn the routines of your family. The transition can be very stressful and may affect behaviour. We are available to provide advice and support.

If you decide you cannot keep the dog, we will take responsibility and find foster care in Canada. DO NOT rehome the animal yourself.

We don’t normally transport cats to Canada because there is an abundant supply of them in Canadian shelters.