The Cantu Foundation

How We Got Started

The Cantu Foundation (TCF) is the brainchild of Fatima Guevara (the founder) inspired by her own special needs dog, Cantu. A 501(c)3 organization, The Cantu Foundation is a volunteer and donation-based, non-profit whose focus is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in need from the poorest areas of Tijuana, Mexico and Southern California.

Through a team of advocates and volunteers located across the United States, The Cantu Foundation facilitates the rescue of the dogs most in need by raising money. To date, the foundation has already helped save hundreds of dogs, and their long term goal is to build a sanctuary in Tijuana to be able to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in higher numbers.

Success Stories

Esperanza's Story

This sweet girl was found neglected, malnourished and was just days from passing away. She was in terrible shape, but beneath a thick and severe layer of mange hid a beautiful girl who was full of life. She was placed in a foster home located in Tijuana, Mexico while she recovered from her many ailments and for the first time in her life knew what it meant to feel safe and loved. Named Esperanza with purpose, which is the Spanish word for “hope,” it is exactly what The Cantu Foundation wished for her. Once healthy enough to travel, she made her way to San Diego, CA where she currently resides in foster care and she continues to wait for her forever home.

Max's Story

This cute guy was discovered wounded, malnourished and seemed to have lost all hope. Found as a stray, he would wag his tail as people approached hoping someone would stop to help him. It was uncertain how long he had been there in that condition, but thankfully we crossed paths with him and immediately put the wheels in motion to save him. Even though he seemed thankful for our approach as he wagged his tail as cheerfully as he could muster, he was terrified and cried at our most gentle touches. After a few days he seemed to finally understand that he was safe and his personality began to flourish. He was a boy full of energy and loved to give. After being nursed fully back to health, he made the trek to San Diego where he found his forever home with an incredible family who is as rightfully obsessed with him as we are.

Solovino's Story

This beautiful boy was found in awful condition. Even as the strongest among the group of strays he was found with, we were not sure if he would make it. Yet no matter what was discovered about his health or any setbacks we encountered along the way, he always had the best attitude and a very clear and strong will to survive. The moment we rescued him and he knew he was finally safe, his inner puppy emerged and he has been loving and playful ever since. Once healthy enough, he made his way to San Diego and is now living his best life in his forever home.

Joseph's Story

Joseph was found lying in the dirt with his sister, both covered in fleas and ticks and extremely malnourished. A week after rescuing them both, his sister Jessie was diagnosed with distemper and unfortunately did not pull through. By some miracle, Joseph was not infected and little by little got stronger every day. Once fully healthy he was transferred to our rescue partners in San Diego where he was adopted into his forever home by a wonderful family. Today he is thriving and living his best life.

We will continue to fight the good fight
in memory of the ones that didn’t make it 🌈

In Memory of Princess

Princess was 5-6 years old when she was found wandering around the streets of Tijuana. The person that found her noticed that she was blind and posted a photo of her on a Facebook group.

⁣⁣She was diagnosed with Leptospirosis and Ehrlichia. Princess fought so hard. She was getting ready to go home after her blood transfusion when her little heart gave up on her. The vets tried to resuscitate her, but her body couldn’t continue fighting.
⁣⁣
Princess' passing has and will affect us for the rest of our lives — her suffering could have been prevented, if she was taken care of and loved properly and I know that in the world that we live in that’s sometimes too much to ask for. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣

In Memory of Jessie

Until this day anytime I think about Jesse, I can’t help but tear up. Jessie was rescued with her brother Joseph. A week after being rescued, Jessie was diagnosed with distemper. Jessie was our first rescue that was infected with this horrible virus. She was also our first experience with the virus, which is terrifying.

Jessie fought so hard for 3 weeks. At one point we thought she was going to make it. But she went downhill very quickly. Jessie passed away on 6/15/20. We will always remember that little, sassy, watermelon belly baby!

In Memory of Lobito

Lobito was a 8 year old Shepherd mix. He lived on the streets his whole life and by the time we got to him we were too late. Unfortunately, he passed away.
⁣
⁣Its unfortunate that we didn’t get to Lobito on time. He wasn’t born into a good life and he never got the chance to experience what it felt like to be loved. He didn’t know us but we did love him -- hundreds of us did! Rest In Peace, Lobito.

Sometimes it’s hard to accept that we aren’t going to make it to every dog on time, that we are their last chance and that as much as we try they won’t all make it. ⁣ What I would give for every dog that crosses our path to make it, to recover and to find their forever homes, but that’s just not always going to happen. We just have to wipe our tears and keep going.