First of all, it’s important that you realize that an adoption means a commitment of anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Dogs should never be a Christmas gift as they are not the latest, newest toy that can soon be discarded in a corner when interest is lost. A dog is a living, breathing and thinking creature with the emotional intelligence of a 3 year old child. It will depend on you for its survival and will need you to invest in its health and well being. The dog will require daily feeding of quality food and purified water, monthly maintenance against fleas, ticks and heartworms, as well as yearly vaccinations to prevent the dog from becoming ill. Proper grooming and daily walks will also be expected and very necessary. Most of all the dog lives for the companionship and attention of its Owner, so you will need to be present in their lives, spending time with them on a regular basis, involved in activities that bring them happiness and help them relieve their stress and anxiety.

Overtime, we have learned that there is at least one perfect dog for every person. Think about the personality of the type of dog you are looking for, how active you want them to be and if size really matters? Remember that these dogs have been existing in a kennel cell that is no larger than 1 metre by 2 metres, so even if you have a small apartment or home, it will offer more space for the dog, so don’t let the size of the dog hold you back too much! Once you bond with your dog, they will most often choose to rest by your feet everywhere you go in your home. It’s part of their pack DNA.

Arrange a planned visit to the CENCAAZ Sanctuary in Playa del Carmen.

Now that you know who your chosen candidates are, it’s time to get to know them. Once you have selected the right dog for you and your family, then starts the paperwork:

Requirements to adopt a dog directly from the CENCAAZ Sanctuary

*Complete an adoption request form at the CENCAAZ Reception *You must provide a copy of your INE ( both sides ) *You must provide a copy of proof of residence address in Mexico *You will need to pass an onsite Home Inspection performed by Inspectors working directly for the CENCAAZ Sanctuary *Once approved for adoption, you will be required to donate the equivalent value of $400.00 Mexican Pesos in a high quality dog kibble or provide $400 pesos worth of cleaning supplies, to the CENCAAZ Sanctuary.    ( cash will not be accepted. )

How long does it take to have the Home Inspection and how long will it take until I finally have my dog with me at home in Mexico?

It can take as little as 48 hours or up to 7 days to arrange and complete the Onsite Home Inspection. The Inspector will contact you directly to confirm date and time. Once the Onsite Home Inspection has been completed, you will receive a final response from the CENCAAZ  Sanctuary authorities. If approved, you can go pick up your new dog the next day!

Please keep in mind that the CENCAAZ Sanctuary has a very limited budget and your dog will only come to your sterilized and with a vaccine shot for Rabies and another for Quintuple. The CENCAAZ Sanctuary cannot provide a fully vetted dog. That responsibility falls on the new Owner and the cost for a fully vetted dog will range from $8,000 Pesos to $10,000 Pesos depending on which Mexican Vet you go to.

Please also remember to ask for the Vaccination Card ( known as a CARTILLA ) and all the pertinent information the CENCAAZ Sanctuary has regarding the needs of your adopted furry friend so that you can follow up on any issues with your Mexican Vet.

K9 Lifesavers Mexico A.C. is not responsible for the paperwork process nor the Onsite Home Inspections. Those responsibilities are the exclusive domain of the authorities at the CENCAAZ Sanctuary. However, we can at your request provide a follow up inquiry as to the status of your adoption solicitation and process advancements.

Our Non Profit Organization is run solely on donations and adoption fees. Everyone involved is a volunteer who dedicates their time and resources to helping these dogs in need. We do our best to collect donations from the K9 Lifesavers Mexico community. By covering the adoption fee, you also contribute a little extra to help feed a future dog and provide essential health. This allows us to pay foward to the dogs still waiting for a forever home.

Estimated Cost is approximately $600 CAD as of December 2025 and these fees do not included the cost for a pet travelling in cabin or cargo.

We provide a plan covering the necessary health requirements and entry conditions for your dog’s trip to Canada. Additional options can also be included upon request.

Details

• BH ( Basic Blood work )
• 4 Snap Test ( Tests for Ehrlichia Canis, Anaplasma Phagocytophilium, Heartworm & Lime Disease )
• TVT Test ( Transmisible Venereal Tumor )
• Rabies Vaccine
• Quintuple Vaccine
• Bordetella vaccine
• Dewormers
• Simpirica ( Broad Spectrum Monthly protection against Fleas, Ticks, Heartworm, Roundworms, and hookworms )
• Neutered or spayed ( Reproductive Sterilization )
• Implanted Microchip ( Registered in Canada )
• Veterinary Check up consultation
• Official Health Certificate ( Required for Domestic or International flights )

EXTRA

• Dental Prophylaxis $ 150 CAD

NOTE: These fees do not cover additional costs, treatments and medications that the dog may have required.

( For example: X Rays, Ultrasounds, Surgeries, Anaplasma Treatments, Ehrlichia Treatments, TVT Treatments and Heartworm treatments are not included in the fees mentioned above. The K9 Lifesavers Mexico Community will do fundraisers to try to cover these added and unexpected costs ).

Your dog will come with a vaccination booklet, a health certificate, and a digital file of all medical care or treatment.

Our Fees are an approximation and they are subject to change do to variable exchange rates and inflation.

The cost of the flight is additional and may vary depending on the individual airline.

Note that PayPal transaction fees of approximately $30 CAN for $600 CAN are additional, so please make payment of $630 CAN.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS.