ArcaMax

"If they (tourist volunteers) don't return home with a pet, that's fine. They may give money, or just tell their friends about us," says Nicole Martin, a volunteer from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, who's lived in Puerto Vallarta since 1989.

The Sanctuary is no-kill. Once committed to an animal, there's no wavering (unless the best humane alternative is to euthanize).

"I swear, I've seen all these animals who I know should have died. Instead, most have not only survived (but) they've found homes," Martin says.

Chatterton has even developed a foster home network of about 35 U.S. and Canadian homes. Once they've landing in one of these homes, animals always get adopted. Chatterton rarely adopts to anyone in Puerto Vallarta for many reasons, including the fact that there's already an over-abundance of animals available from other facilities.

"Janice is incredibly picky about who gets one of her animals," says Martin. "If you've been chosen by Janice, you should be complimented. When it comes to the welfare of animals, she does have blinders on."

Doing it her way has worked. The Sanctuary has now found homes for over 850 animals.

"What's incredible is the change that she's made in Puerto Vallarta," adds Martin. "Of course, the entire culture hasn't changed here overnight, and there many other positive influences, other groups and many individuals working very hard to demonstrate the value of life. But clearly others see what Janice does."

Chatterton has been criticized in Mexico; after all, she's an outsider pushing for change at her pace, and she doesn't take 'no' for an answer. Simultaneously, some animal welfare supporters in the U.S. and Canada are critical because pets there need homes, too.

"Animals don't care about geographic boundaries -- and love knows no boundaries," Martin responds. "We need more Americans and Canadians to foster or adopt, and to come visit and enjoy Vallarta, and give a few hours to volunteer."

Chatterton also operates an elegant boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta called Hacienda San Angel (a property where Richard Burton once lived). A second hotel is set to open later in the year, called Casa Kimberly (a property once owned by Elizabeth Taylor).

When asked what she does for pleasure, Chatterton has only one answer: "Watching videos and seeing pictures of the animals with their new families that we've found homes for; that's the best."

See videos and more information at the Sanctuary's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/spcapv.

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