I visited Tierra de Animales (Land of Animals) during my time in Mexico. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to document this dog sanctuary. Ricardo, who runs Tierra de Animales (Land of Animals), is an amazing, compassionate, hard working person. I was very moved by this sanctuary for these forgotten dogs. It was very surreal to walk into the open area filled with 60 dogs ready for adoption. I have never been so happily greeted by so many dogs, all tails a wag and muchos kisses, wow!
It’s super easy to adopt a dog from Mexico! There is no quarantine with customs.
I am sending you a big hug Ricardo!!!
About Tierra de Animales (Land of Animals):
“Tierra de Animales (Land of Animals) sanctuary was founded in March 2011 as a refuge for Cancun’s forgotten and abandoned street dogs, known locally as ‘perros callejeros’. Animals rescued by Tierra de Animales from the streets now have a safe place to call home, and a place to heal from the unfortunate circumstances that left them alone and abandoned. The mission of Tierra de Animales is clear: to rescue, rehabilitate, sterilize, socialize and adopt. Dogs who once had virtually no chance of survival , those that have been injured, abused and those simply abandoned or born on the streets, now have a second chance for a better life. Tierra de Animales rescues dogs from Cancun, surrounding small villages, and regularly rescues dogs who are on ‘death row’ from the pound in nearby Playa del Carmen. Many dogs that no one else would help are rescued and rehabilitated by Tierra de Animales. At TDA, they receive food, medicine, love and the chance to bond and play with other dogs who all share a history of neglect and abandonment. The sanctuary was founded and is operated by Ricardo Pimentel, who lives on the sanctuary property and cares for all of the dogs personally.
Contact Lisa Edwards, who works with Pimentel, for all adoption and general information inquiries at: helpmexicandogs@hotmail.com,
For donations via Paypal: donate@helpmexicandogs.org
Their website is currently undergoing renovation, but visit them soon at www.tierradeanimales.org or www.helpmexicandogs.com.”
Thank you for all your support with this blog series. It was a life changing experience and incredibly rewarding. It feels good to be a part of a cause that is making a difference.
I will be returning to Mexico in April for the next sterilization clinic with CANDi International.
This is Ricardo, he is an extraordinary human being.
Look at his sweet boy; he is up for adoption!
This dogs leg was damaged too. Tell me you do not want to adopt this cutie! Seriously, I wanted to take him home. He showered me with kisses, such a lover!
Great news for this dog! He was adopted a week after I took this photo. He is in a great new home in Texas!
Ricardo is the pack leader and the dogs adore him. It was really a site to see--- truly amazing!
These dogs have been severely abused and their forever home is here with Ricardo...Thank God for people like Ricardo.
Adopt us! Adopt us! Adopt us! Adopt us! Adopt us!
February 11, 2012 The dogs want to thank you for your visit and also thanks a lot for the great photos. Ricardo
February 10, 2012 Nice work again Tracey! Lovely angels! I will share the information, I am sure that this images are going to help a lot. Thank you and thanks to all those people that helps animals around the world! ;) koquis
February 09, 2012 tracey, there is simply no other person in the world that i think could be as fitting as you to photograph these beautiful pups! these are wonderful wonderful images!
February 08, 2012 greeeeat pics!! thanks for share and spread the word. Special thanks to all the people who has made this Sanctuary possible: donators, collaborators, people who adopt and people who spread the word… and of course to ALin Padilla for all the years supporting Ricardo.
February 08, 2012 Beautiful pictures. I live in Canada and I have one of Ricardo and LIsa’s rescues.It is an amazing and wonderful thing they are doing for these precious dogs. Thank you
for sharing your pictures :)
February 08, 2012 Ricardo, and the work that he does, Lisa and her dedication have changed who I am as a person. I will forever be an advocate and supporter of TDA. What I have seen, can’t even be put into words, you have to see it to belive it. The pictures capture TDA, and how beautiful it is, but it captures a grain of sand of what it really is. Thank you Ricardo and Lisa for all that you do.
February 08, 2012 As a major, long time supporter of Tierra de Animales and a lover of dogs, Ricardo and Lisa for all they do. THANK YOU
February 08, 2012 Wow! Beautiful photos of a remarkable man and a magical place filled with unconditional love and respect of man’s best friend. Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos of a man and a place that has changed and enhanced the lives of many; dogs, cats and best of all, humans!
Sending much love to Ricardo and all of his family (all two, three and four legged)!
February 08, 2012 Muchas felicidades excelente labor!
February 08, 2012 Beautiful photos, very artistic. Thank you for doing this.
February 08, 2012 I love the photos of Ricardo, his dog’s and his sanctuary. He built the sanctuary out of love for the animals and he supports much of it himself. He struggles on a daily basis getting enough food for the dogs, but somehow he does it…..day to day. I hope that one day his story reaches someone who can help him fund his sanctuary so that he can continue to help the countless dogs that need him in the area of Cancun. Thank you Tracey for such beautiful photos.
February 08, 2012 These photos are so amazing. I would love a couple to frame for my house. I am a huge supporter of Tierra de Animales and bringing home a dog of my own in spring (named Rabito). Your photos brought to life the heartache of the animals in Cancun and also the love that Ricardo has for them. Your photos are absolutely beautiful.
February 08, 2012 The little guy with the bad leg (bottom picture on the left) is adorable. Seriously, he could have his own show. If we didn’t already have 3, I’d be booking his airfare right now. Thanks for sharing!
February 08, 2012 tierradeanimales.org)On behalf of Tierra de Animales and our more than 170 rescued street dogs, we thank you Tracey for spending the afternoon with us and sharing your experience with others. Your photographs are beautiful, evocative and help to show how special our dogs are! We hope others will be inspired to learn about us, visit, adopt and help the forgotten dogs of the streets in Mexico…Thank you so much! (info on TDA at helpmexicandogs@hotmail.com, http://www.tierradeanimales.org)