Goals
History
Santuario Today
Homes Needed
Santuario is a self-supporting non-profit dedicated to the following goals:
Gwen Bouschor came to Mexico to do what most people come for, to enjoy the beauty, the peacefulness and to begin a more relaxed way of life.
Instead of relaxation, she found more work. Gwen discovered that she could not turn away from the abysmal conditions that existed around San Carlos for unwanted animals. She and a friend, Sachi Matsumoto, began caring for some of the street animals. They made the rounds of construction sites and beaches and picked up the dogs abandoned there. The dogs were treated, cared for and, when health was regained, they were vaccinated and spayed by Dr. Martinez in Guaymas. Then homes were found for the strays.
Soon Gwen and Sachi were receiving calls about abandoned dogs and cats from all around San Carlos. The calls were answered and the animals were cared for. Food was distributed to the abandoned animals and to animals belonging to poor families, as well. In turn, the animals were sterilized.
Help was needed and help was offered. Medical emergencies occurred. Injured animals requiring stateside attention were transported to the US, and transportation and medical costs were paid for by Gwen.
That fall Gwen moved to the Caracol peninsula. There she met a neighbor, Joyce Vella, a compassionate and loving woman who fed the feral cats around her home. Joyce was also trapping these cats and having them sterilized, but she was concerned that they needed more than she could give - she was only in San Carlos for short stints, two or three times a year. Gwen offered to feed and trap during those times Joyce was gone. However, Joyce became incapacitated, then this loving woman passed away, leaving her legacy with Gwen, who knew how much this woman loved these animals. Thus Santuario was born.
Gwen's terrace grew into a sanctuary when she had no other place to care for abandoned animals. Gwen's heart was too big, and her terrace too small, but thanks to the serendipity of events, she was able to acquire the property across the street, where she built a garden refuge for cats.
The community soon learned that Gwen was sheltering needy animals, and the strays poured in. The cats had their garden, but what about the dogs? Sick and starving dogs also found their way to Gwen's doorstep, and there was no place for them, except, again, the terrace.
When the financial and physical burden of caring for all of the needy cats became overwhelming, Gwen petitioned San Carlos' Comisario for permission to open a neuter/spay clinic. She was granted space in the DIF Building, and also formed a Mexican civil association, the Sociedad Benefactora y Proteccion Animal (SBPA) de San Carlos, A.C. The SBPA, A.C. opened its doors in October, 1995. Thus, Santuario became the founder of the SBPA A.C., which has served San Carlos and its surrounds for twelve years, making a difference one animal at a time.
Today the Santuario exists as a one of a kind no-kill shelter. The cats roam freely through the jungle of tropical plants, watch the fish in the pond and hope for a small bite. They lie beside the small waterway that winds down from a waterfall to the pond below.
The Santuario is a peaceful, serene setting. The smaller kittens are housed indoors on the premises. Once vaccinated and sterilized they are then allowed out with the others, to climb the trees, chase the falling flower petals or just snooze in the morning sun. They have their encounters, but all in all Santuario residents coexist very peacefully.
The elderly and infirmed are also housed indoors where their diet can be supplemented and they can receive medical care if needed. The ones who become ill and need veterinary care are moved into Gwen's home where they receive round-the-clock attention.
Adoptions are carefully screened...Gwen does not want to put an animal back into the same type of situation from which it was rescued. Like all other pets, Santuario cats would benefit from having a family and home of their own. Until the right family comes along, however, many rescued cats are lovingly cared for in the peace and serenity of Santuario.
Santuario residents receive food, shelter, security and loving care. What they don't have is the love and affection they could receive from a dedicated "forever" home and family. Please find room in your heart and household to provide a home for one of Santuario's wonderful cats.
Below are pictures of some of the residents who could go home with you, today.
Please email Santuario if you'd like to receive more information, if you'd like to adopt, or if you can help.