About Us

Baja Dogs La Paz, Inc. was formed in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) U.S. charity to support a Mexican dog refuge that operated in La Paz by the same name. Both organizations worked closely together rescuing stray/abandoned dogs and rehabilitating them at a La Paz shelter.

The Mexican refuge (Baja Dogs La Paz, A.C.) closed its doors a few years ago. Shortly after that, volunteers of the U.S. charity discovered a group of local, individual rescuers (called “rescatistas”) that had been rescuing and fostering dogs for years without support or the use of a refuge/shelter. This group of rescatistas were better able to rehabilitate stray/abandoned dogs in their homes than would be possible in a shelter environment. However, finding permanent, adoptable homes was their biggest challenge and so the Baja Dogs adoption system was started.

Today, this system supports an average of 50-60 dogs at a time all of which are fostered by an average of 25 rescatistas. The system includes food, vaccines, sterilization (spay/neuter), medications, and some veterinary services such as diagnostics and treatment. This means more funds go to the direct care of the dogs vs. rent or salaries that would be required of a shelter. This adoption system also seeks to encourage more people to rescue, rehabilitate, and foster dogs at the local level by giving them the tools, education, and support they need. When more in the community rescue and foster, they tend to educate their friends, family, and neighbors about rescuing and the importance of proper animal care including sterilization (spay/neuter), regular vaccines, proper nutrition, water and shelter for their dogs from the sun and rain. This grass-roots movement can better effect the cultural change needed to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect. You can read about this system here.

Baja Dogs La Paz, Inc. is run by a U.S. board of directors. To provide more services and qualify for more opportunities, a Mexican charity was formed called Voluntarios Por Los Perros de La Paz, A.C. in 2017 which operates under the direction and umbrella of the U.S. charity. Support is provided by an all-volunteer core team that operates on the ground in La Paz as well as select cities in the US and Canada. Meet a few of the core team members below!