The Amigos de los Animales de Todos Santos (AATS) has been working for the improvement in the lives of our four legged friends in the Todos Santos area for nearly seventeen years now. While we labored all of those years as an 'unofficial' group, in 2009 we obtained our sanction from the Mexican government as a true non-profit organization. The bulk of our efforts have traditionally gone towards the promotion of effective animal population control through spay and neuter work. Being a rural area in Baja California Sur, sterilization of pets has not been a generally accepted practice in the past. Over the years, we have been very successful in working with both local and foreign residents to change this and can now boast that we are typically responsible for over four hundred free or reduced cost spay and neuter procedures each and every year. Along with our sterilization program, we are also very active in animal rescue and sheltering. From kittens left on our door step and lost doggies to abused animals, we continually strive to help those dogs, cats and other animals in need of a little bit of a helping hand. In 2006, we opened up Kitty Heaven as one of the few exclusively feline animal shelters in all of the Baja where we can keep comfortable around twenty five or so kitties at any given time. So, again, welcome to our website andplease drop us a line if you would like to donate anything to our organization ro have some time to volunteer. In any good animal welfare organization, spay and neuter is always the primary focus - and it is no different with AATS. As basic logic dictates,that the fewer unwanted or feral cats and dogs in the area, the smaller the problem that these animals will pose both to themselves and the local residents. Spay and neuter provides the best means to control the animal population for the greater good. Since 1997, our spay and neuter clinics, now held twice yearly, as well as our other sterilization efforts have accounted for well in excess of two thousand having been spayed or neutered. This fact has led to a marked decrease in the overall animal population in the Todos Santos and Pescadero areas which, in turn, has resulted in happier and better cared for animals - and people too. However, the effort is continuous and we are always looking for folks to volunteer at our clinics. <p>Well, in many cases not lost, but sadly left behind. Every year, we find doggies (and some kitties) that were obviously a pet at some point, but are now roaming around homeless. Unaccustomed to life without people, they are often malnourished, tick and flea infested, and even beaten up by the tougher street dog crowd. These are things a little love can fix, so we fix 'em. While everyone loves cute little kittens and puppies, getting a delivery of abandoned ones is much more work that you would think. We have raised some that were only a couple of weeks old. In these cases, you are effectively a substitute mom - multiple, middle of the night bottle feedings and all that fun stuff! Don't let the above photo series fool you, we get puppy litters too. Whether injured by accident or as a result of abuse, these are the cases that are really tough to take. Often needing many months of rehabilitation or even serious veterinary intervention, we do all that we can to bring these guys back from whatever happened. Afterwards, we work hard to find them a loving home where they will be cared for as they truely deserve. Started in 2006, Kitty Heaven is intended to help fulfill the somewhat unmet need for cat shelters in southern Baja. Expanded twice since its original construction, it now boasts over 1200ft2 (110m2) of indoor and outdoor living area and handles an average population of twenty five or so. All of the inhabitants enjoy regular meals - even nightly treats - and are kept very healthy and flea free. If you are interested in adopting one of our fine residents or are looking to donate food or any other pet supplies, don't hesitate to contact us through this website. After missing 2009, the Annual Fur Ball and Art Auction will be back in 2010! A well known Todos Santos affair, come to enjoy good food, live music, and great company - and don't forget about the Art Auction where you can bid on the many works donated by our own talented local artists. Monies raised at this event will go to local spay and neuter efforts. In 2008, proceeds from this event provided for the sterilization of almost five hundred animals. Bringing together local bands and musical acts, along with a well known headliner, the Jammin' for the Animals benefit, held in the spring, always serves up a good time. Last year's featured guests were Alex DePuy and Miguel DeHoyas and they put on a fantastic show. While it is too early to know who will be there next year, you can bet that all of the funds raised will go to the benefit of the animals in the Todos Santos and Pescadero areas. >Whether you would like to ask about adopting a pet, volunteering, fostering a dog or cat, donating or just if you have a question about us or this website, use the form below to send us an email. We would love to hear from you and promise a prompt response. Donations are tax deductible in the US through our sister organization, The Refuge Animal Sancutary in Aspen, Colorado. Amigos de Los Animales de Todos Santos, Angelique Schornstein, Angelica Schornstein, Barbara McPherson, Barbara Perkins, La Canada del Diablo, Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico