Organized by Cusco Canine Rescue
Help Build the Largest Open-Air Dog Sanctuary in Cusco, Peru
At a Glance
Stray dogs in Cusco searching for food and shelter. With no public services or shelters, their only hope comes from independent rescues.
In Cusco, more than 40,000 stray dogs struggle to survive, with no public shelters to protect them. We are building the largest open-air dog sanctuary in the region — a safe haven for hundreds of dogs. Together, we can turn suffering into safety, and neglect into hope.
Our Mission
In Cusco, dogs are often ignored, unseen by those walking past them. Our sanctuary will make sure no dog is ever forgotten again.
Every day in Cusco, Peru, hundreds of dogs wander the streets hungry, injured, or abandoned. Many suffer from abuse, neglect, or poisoning. Cusco Canine Rescue, a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was created to change that reality.
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect Peru’s forgotten dogs, while also educating communities to create a more compassionate future for animals.
The Sanctuary Project
Our vision: safe, open spaces where rescued dogs can run, play, and live with dignity.
We are raising funds to build the largest open-air dog sanctuary in Cusco, Peru, designed to provide safe, natural living spaces for hundreds of dogs.
The sanctuary will include:
- A veterinary clinic and quarantine area for emergency care and recovery
- Grooming and rehabilitation facilities to restore dignity and health
- Safe, open-air housing zones separated by size and temperament
- Secure play fields, shaded rest areas, and walking trails
- A volunteer guest house and education center to welcome local and international support
This will be the first facility of its kind in the region — a permanent solution for dogs who currently have none.
Why We Need Your Support
Local veterinarians provide lifesaving care for rescued dogs — treatment that will be a permanent part of the sanctuary.
Land and construction costs in Cusco are significant, but this sanctuary will save countless lives for years to come. Your donation goes directly toward:
- Securing land for the sanctuary
- Building safe, functional infrastructure
- Providing food, medicine, and ongoing care for the dogs
Every contribution, large or small, makes an immediate impact. Together, we can build a safe haven where suffering ends and healing begins.
Who We Are
Founders Dillon Beckman and Michel Rohner with their beloved pets — Gus the cat, and dogs Rosie, Maple, and Napoleon.
Cusco Canine Rescue was founded by Michel and Dillon after witnessing the harsh reality of street dogs in Cusco. What began as documenting their stories through photography grew into a mission to provide lasting change.
Our work has been shared by international publications, but the true measure of success will be the sanctuary itself — a place where every dog has a chance at safety, dignity, and love.
Join Us
Community members and local supporters standing with Cusco Canine Rescue. Together, we are building a future of compassion.
With your support, we can build the largest open-air dog sanctuary in Cusco, Peru, and give these animals the future they deserve.
Cusco Canine Rescue is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Donate today to help us secure land, build the sanctuary, and save Cusco’s street dogs. Every gift brings us closer to ending their suffering and creating a safe haven of hope.
- A
2 supporters
guidestar.org/profile/92-3752165