Our Story
Welcome to Stray to Stay, where every wagging heart marks a new beginning for a street dog in Guatemala. Stray to Stay was founded in late 2023 by a group of friends who shared the same lifelong dream of establishing a non-profit that could change the lives of our four-legged friends in need. It started as a simple mission to rescue and rehome one dog at a time, while also providing food and medical treatments to as many street dogs as we could.
Our passion for animal rights is what fuels our commitment to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome as many dogs as we can from the streets of Guatemala – the country we all call home. The number of street dogs in Guatemala is unfortunately rapidly increasing, with little means to sterilize, rescue or rehome. Our foundation was born from a shared belief that every stray deserves a forever stay. Dogs deserve a loving home and every wag of the tail tells a story of hope and resilience.
We want to pave the way for a brighter future, one paw at a time, and we invite you to join us on this bark-tastic journey.
Who We Are
Victoria Aucoin
Victoria moved to Guatemala from Canada in 2019 and has been involved in the local dog community ever since. Since rescuing her own dog from the streets of Guatemala, her dedication to feeding, fostering, and rehoming dogs has been unwavering. Victoria is very skilled at finding perfect foster and forever homes and oversees many of our adoptions. She is also manages much of the logistics and networks with local charities and businesses.
Pablo Cordedda
Growing up, Pablo’s life was enriched by the presence of all sorts of animals thanks to his family’s love of furry companions. He always had at least one dog in his life but rescuing his own street dog from Guatemala a few years ago marked the beginning of his deeper commitment to animal welfare. Pablo plays a crucial role in operations, on-the-ground communication, and networking, ensuring our mission reaches every corner of the community. He also ensures our volunteers and foster homes receive the support they need.
Beth Henderson
Beth, originally from England, was captivated by Guatemala in 2018 and has since made it her home-away-from-home. From outdoor adventures with her family’s horses to cozy afternoon cuddles with her beloved pooches, Beth’s animal-filled childhood set the stage for her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. With a dream of positively impacting the well-being of furry companions worldwide, she currently dedicates herself to improving the lives of dogs in Guatemala. Beth is one of our main foster homes and takes in most of our short and long-term foster dogs in Panajachel. Beth also oversees all communications and networks with local charities to help our mission reach hearts far and wide.
Here, tails are wagging, hearts are healing, and paws are treading on the path to a better life. Our non-profit is driven by a passionate commitment to provide a loving and caring environment for dogs in need. Whether they’ve faced abandonment, abuse, or simply need a second chance, our doors are open wide for every paw that walks in.
So, explore our website and learn more about our mission, the incredible stories of the dogs we’ve helped, and how you can get involved. Whether you’re looking to adopt, volunteer, or support our cause, there’s a place for you in our compassionate community.
Together, let’s create a world where every dog is cherished, cared for, and surrounded by the love they deserve.
Thank you for being a part of the Stray to Stay family.
🐶 Welcome to our pack! 🐾
Our Mission
Wagging hearts and paw-fect ever afters…
Our mission at Stray to Stay is to make a paw-sitive impact on the lives of stray dogs in Guatemala. We champion their well-being and are committed to creating a community where dogs are companions. Our goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs in need; we rescue animals that have known nothing but the struggle of the streets and provide them with a happy temporary home. We ensure they receive the veterinary care they need – as well as the comfort and love they deserve – before pairing them with their perfect family.
Adopt A Dog
Find your fur-ever friend and embark on an adventure filled with cuddles, play, and endless love.
Make a Donation
Every dollar paves the path to a brighter future for our furry pals. Your support turns ruffs into wags!
Get in Touch
Have questions or want to lend a paw? We’d love to hear from you. Let’s make tails wag together!