Please contact us with details and photos, including the city you’re in, the name of your resort, how long you’ll be there before flying home, and whether you plan to adopt the animal. Let us know if you’ve already been in touch with any other rescue groups.
Provide as much information as you can about the animal: the nature of its injuries, how it’s behaving, where you saw it, and whether it allowed you to approach.
We will always do our best to help, but please understand our shelter is about 1.5 hours away from Cayo Coco. In some cases, arranging care may require taxi transport, and the person requesting help may need to cover this fare.
Thank you for wanting to give a resort animal a second chance at life! The first step is to contact us so we can make arrangements to bring the animal to our shelter. Once there, it will be assessed and treated to the best of our ability.
To adopt, you’ll need to complete our Adoption Application. If approved and once the animal is healthy enough to travel, we can arrange a flight volunteer through our network of tourists.
We handle the vaccinations and paperwork necessary to enter Canada, booking the flight, and transporting the animal to the airport. All you have to do is meet the flight volunteer at the airport to welcome your new furry family member!
Our rescue is focused on the Morón/Ciego/Cayo Coco area, a region that has had very little awareness and no outside help compared to larger centres such as Varadero and Havana.
This is why our founder, Paula, chose to dedicate her efforts here.
That said, we can connect you with trusted rescuers across Cuba.
Please contact us and we'll do our best to help!
Cayo Coco Animal Rescue’s shelter is located just outside of Morón, Cuba - about a 1.5-hour drive from the resorts in Cayo Coco.
We love visitors! Please let us know in advance when you plan to visit so Yadira can be ready to expect you.
The shelter is a farm property located on Circuito Norte. It doesn’t have a street number, but taxi drivers can use the GPS coordinates below:
GPS:
Latitude: 22.106114
Longitude: -78.658045
Yes! Whenever we can, Cayo Coco Animal Rescue runs TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) campaigns in partnership with the resorts to help stop the cycle of unwanted breeding.
In 2024, we sterilized 115 resort cats and 1 dog.
In 2025, we’ve sterilized over 150 resort cats so far.
You can tell an animal has been sterilized if the tip of its ear has been clipped.
These campaigns are the only way to reduce suffering by controlling feral cat populations, but they’re only possible with the cooperation of resort management.
Check our list of animal-friendly resorts. If you don’t see your favourite resort there, we urge you to speak with resort management and encourage them to participate.
As a guest, your influence is much stronger than ours!
Thank you for wanting to support the shelter and our animals while on vacation! There are lots of ways to help:
Bring donations: If you’re flying from Toronto Pearson, you can bring a case filled with needed supplies (at no cost to you). The suitcase will be unlocked so you can inspect it before you fly).
Pack your own donations: Check out our Donate Supplies page or Amazon Wishlist for ideas. We can help get the items from your resort to the shelter.
Become a flight angel: Flying with Air Canada or Air Transat? You can help escort an adopted cat or dog to its forever home in Canada.
Volunteer at the shelter: Our Morón shelter is about 1.5 hours from the resorts in Cayo Coco. Meet Yadira and Tico, see how the shelter operates, help feed or bathe the dogs, or deliver your donations in person!
Help with TNR campaigns at resorts: If we’re planning a sterilization (TNR) project at your resort, we always need extra hands to hang signs, monitor the cats, and carry traps and supplies.
Every little bit helps and makes a big difference for our rescues!
A flight angel or flight parent escorts a rescue dog from Cuba to Canada, helping them safely reach their new home. If you’re traveling to Cuba soon (or you just want to learn more) please check out our Volunteer page for details.
Please note: we cover all fees related to the dog’s journey, but flight parents are responsible for their own travel costs. Only certain airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet) allow animals to fly.
Thank you for wanting to give a resort animal a second chance at life! The first step is to contact us so we can make arrangements to bring the animal to our shelter. Once there, it will be assessed and treated to the best of our ability.
To adopt, you’ll need to complete our Adoption Application. If approved and once the animal is healthy enough to travel, we can arrange a flight volunteer through our network of tourists.
We handle the vaccinations and paperwork necessary to enter Canada, booking the flight, and transporting the animal to the airport. All you have to do is meet the flight volunteer at the airport to welcome your new furry family member!
Our Adoption Team works closely with Yadira and Tico, who make sure each adopted animal receives the necessary vaccinations and health certificates required for entry into Canada.
From there, we coordinate with our network of tourist volunteers - aka Flight Angels -and the airline to ensure every animal travels safely, comfortably, and legally.
It’s a true team effort we’ve been proud to carry out since 2017. Together, we give these animals a second chance at a happy life in Canada.
What’s the adoption fee and what does it cover?
Our adoption fee helps cover the costs of bringing your new furry friend from Cuba to Canada. This includes the airline ticket, taxi rides to the vet and airport, and the rabies vaccination plus health certificate needed to enter Canada.
There are no hidden adoption fees - we only ask that you cover these necessary expenses.
Puppies & small dogs: $400 – they fly year-round in a small carrier under the seat.
Larger dogs: $500 and up, depending on the airline - they fly in the hold and can only travel from October through April.
Please keep in mind that the flight ticket prices are set by the airline and are subject to change.
Please note that Canada Customs may charge an import fee of about $40 per animal. While this fee is sometimes waived, it’s not guaranteed - so please plan for it in addition to the adoption fee.
Our travel carrier is subject to a deposit, refundable once the carrier is returned.
Right now, our adoptions are only available within Canada.
Since every country has its own rules for bringing in adopted animals, we can only place our Cuban rescue pets with Canadian adopters. If you’re outside of Canada, we recommend connecting with a rescue group closer to home.
While we can’t help you adopt a Cuban pet, we’d love for you to join our community and follow along with our adventures from afar!
Every animal adopted to Canada receives deworming and the vaccines required for entry into the country.
We do our best to spay or neuter every adopted animal before they go to their new home. For pets 6 months or younger, this is not possible. In those cases, it is the adopter’s financial responsibility to have the procedure done.
The dogs and cats we rescue often come from the streets or resorts, and have never seen a veterinarian before being rescued. In Cuba, diagnostic testing is limited: there are no labs for blood tests so some health issues may not be detected before your pet leaves Cuba.
Once your new companion arrives in Canada, you will need to schedule a vet visit for a full blood panel to check for tick-borne illnesses like babesiosis or ehrlichiosis, as well as parasites such as heartworm, giardia, or ear mites. If any concerns are found, your veterinarian can create a treatment plan to keep your pet healthy. Veterinary costs are the responsibility of the adopter.
Here are the basics you will need to have on hand for your newly adopted animal.
At the shelter, animals are fed a mix of rice and protein (chicken, beef, or seafood) 3 times a day. When your new pet first arrives, it’s best to continue this diet for the first week. If the dog's tummy is not feeling well due to the stress of travel and change, you can add in a bit of canned, 100% pure pumpkin.
During the second week, providing they aren't having any tummy issues, gradually start mixing in their new food until they’re fully transitioned.
We recommend high-quality dog or cat food from a pet store. Whether you choose dry, wet, or raw, pick what fits your lifestyle and what your pet will eat. It may take some trial and error at first, so consider starting with small bags until you find the right fit.
When introducing your new companion to the pets already in your home, start outside on neutral ground. A walk works best: let the dogs see each other from a distance, and if all goes well, gradually move closer. If they remain relaxed, allow them to sniff and greet. Once inside, keep things low-stress by using a crate or baby gate, giving everyone a chance to smell and observe safely before direct contact.
If your home includes cats or children, the golden rule is go slow and take your time. This sets everyone up for a smooth transition and a happy life together.
Remember, your new dog has just left the shelter, endured a plane ride, and is now facing a brand-new environment. It’s a lot for them to take in. Sleeping nearby for the first few nights can reassure them that they’re safe and not alone.
Let your new pet set the pace. Avoid approaching if they retreat to their bed or safe space. A toy box with chew toys and stuffies can also help ease stress and provide comfort.
Adjustment takes patience and consistency, but the reward is worth it: unconditional love and a lifelong bond. ❤️
Senior pets or those with special needs remain in our care at the shelter, where they will have a safe and loving home for life.
Thank you for reaching out!
Our rescue is run by volunteers, so sometimes it can take us a few days to reply. If you don’t hear back after that, please feel free to give us a little nudge, just in case your message didn't reach us 🙂
(And be sure to check your junk folder or Message Requests if you contacted us through Facebook.)
Thanks so much for wanting to help!
Medications can be hard to get in Cuba, so it’s a huge help to ask your vet if they have near-expiry meds, samples, or prescriptions that were never picked up. Apoquel, as well as flea, tick, and heartworm medications, are especially valuable.
Kitten and puppy formula saves lives - don’t forget feeding syringes and nipples! Lightweight dehydrated food works well, too, since it can be easily rehydrated.
Many of our shelter animals arrive in desperate condition, so supplements for malnutrition or anemia, and medicated shampoos for mange or skin issues, make a big difference.
Cash donations are always the most flexible. They allow us to get food, medicine, or other supplies directly to Yadira.
You can e-mail transfer donations to brussyrescue@gmail.com - we’re grateful for anything you can contribute!
For a full list of needed items, visit our Donate Supplies page under How to Help in the top menu. You’ll also find a link to our Amazon Wishlist, where items go directly to our founder Paula, who packs and ships all our donation suitcases.
Thank you for thinking of our shelter animals! To see if we're in need of your items, please Contact Us and include your location.
If they're needed, we’ll let you know the closest place to drop them off.
Every donation makes a difference!
You can also check out our Donate Supplies page or Amazon Wishlist for items we’re always in need of.
Thank you 🙂
A flight angel or flight parent escorts a rescue dog from Cuba to Canada, helping them safely reach their new home. If you’re traveling to Cuba soon (or you just want to learn more) please check out our Volunteer page for details.
Please note: we cover all fees related to the dog’s journey, but flight parents are responsible for their own travel costs. Only certain airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet) allow animals to fly.
Cayo Coco Animal Rescue is not yet a registered charity, so we’re unable to provide tax receipts at this time.
Absolutely! Hosting a fundraiser is a wonderful way to support the shelter animals, and we’re so grateful when people do.
From bake sales and yard sales to raffles, 50/50 draws, or community events, there are endless ways to get creative. You can even use your own talents (whether it’s baking, art, photography, or crafts) to make it extra special.
And don’t worry, you’re not on your own - we’re happy to share ideas, resources, and promotional materials to help make your fundraiser a success. Every dollar raised helps give more animals the second chance they deserve. ❤️
We’re so glad you’re interested in volunteering with us! ❤️
There are lots of ways to help out, whether it’s becoming a flight angel, driving animals, or pitching in at fundraisers. However you get involved, you’ll be making a real difference for the dogs and cats we rescue.
Take a few minutes to browse our website. Be sure to check out the Happy Tails section to see the incredible transformations made possible by volunteers just like you.
When you’re ready, head over to our Volunteer page to learn more and fill out an application!
Thank you for reaching out!
Our rescue is run by volunteers, so sometimes it can take us a few days to reply. If you don’t hear back after that, please feel free to give us a little nudge, just in case your message didn't reach us 🙂
(And be sure to check your junk folder or Message Requests if you contacted us through Facebook.)
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Please consider donating to Cayo Coco Animal Rescue. Your support helps get another animal off the streets and into safety.
