Compassion Without Borders was founded in 2001 by Christi and Moncho Camblor with the vision to provide a brighter future to animals in need on both sides of the border. CWOB works a multifaceted approach to reach animals in need via our four programs: Mexico Dog Rescue, US Dog Rescue, Veterinary Wellness Clinics & Spay/Neuter Services. We also actively participate with other rescue groups in the US and Mexico to provide outreach for humane rescue education & training via seminars.
Mission and Vision
Compassion without Borders brings brighter futures to animals in need on both sides of the border. We focus our efforts where the need is the greatest, but where animals are the very least likely to be helped due to financial, geographic, and cultural barriers.
Our programs include a dog rescue program from Mexico and the Central Valley, along with free veterinary wellness and spay/neuter clinics in underserved communities on both sides of the border.
Adoption Policy
Muttopia, our shelter in Santa Rosa, is our safe haven for the dogs we rescue. We are a private shelter with a small staff, so we meet with potential applicants one-on-one by appointment only. This gives the potential adopter a good amount of time with the dog(s) in which you have expressed interest. Any adopted dog can be returned to us at any time.
https://www.cwob.org/dogs-for-adoption.html
Testimonials
See all testimonials"CWOB team achieves amazing rescue results and is financially the best at putting support $ into animal programs."
— beth b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"I have volunteered with Compassion Without Borders for 6 years. This organization truly lives up to the "Compassion" in its name... whether for the many dogs and a few cats they care for and re-home, to the many volunteers and fosters, to the adoptive families, to the staff, to the world around them and all they come in contact with... there is such a feeling of care and compassion and love. The dogs are all given such individual attention, to their medical needs (we take in some very complex medical cases, dogs that would otherwise be euthanize), their unique personalities and likes and dislikes (finding them toys that suit their personalities)... and to understanding their unique personalities to place them in exactly the perfect home for dog and humans. I have seen CWOB staff go way out of their way to work with and re-train what many would consider "problem dogs" that would otherwise be euthanized, when so often the "problem" is based in past bad experiences and fear. I've seen dogs that might be considered "unadoptable" due to bad habits and behaviors become retrained and find "furrever homes" with happy adopters. I've seen blind dogs, deaf dogs, three legged dogs, and dogs with all kinds of "disabilities" - or differently abled – find happy, loving homes through the time and training this non-profit offers. (Did you know it is possible to teach a deaf dog sign language?) Dogs are giving all the time and attention and training they need, after sometimes coming here severely traumatized and with complex behaviors. I simply cannot say enough good things about this amazing organization and it's co-founders - and am proud to be one among their many loyal and devoted volunteers."
— dianne m.
Volunteer / foster
"This is an outstanding group based on number of dogs saved and number of dog owners helped with critical services. The team is great to work with as a volunteer or an adopter."
— beth b.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Compassion Without Boarders is more than a rescue. Christi and Moncho foster a community of supportive and loving people. I adopted my Mexi - Mutt, Luna, in 2020. She is a true gift in our lives. Luna is full of love, joy and fun. She’s always happy and inspires me to make the best of everyday. My appreciation and love for Luna motivated me to volunteer in the Spring of 2023. I started as a dog walker and decided to focus on helping the Animal Care Technician (ACT) Team. This is an amazing frontline team of dedicated staff who feed, clean kennels, administer medications, do laundry, walk the dogs and anything else these sweet souls need. They work very hard. I was happy to use my volunteer time to assist them. One day I was asked if I’d like to work part time as an ACT and of course I said yes. I am proud of being a part of a work environment helping animals on their journey to their best lives. The volunteers and staff are committed to making our rescue dogs time with us as full of love and joy as possible."
— jerilyn h.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter
"Compassion Without Borders (CWOB) isn't only a shelter. Its benevolence extends beyond caring for abandoned / abused animals from Mexico and California's Central Valley, to regularly offering free spay and neuter services in its hometown of Santa Rosa, as well as free wellness clinics for cats and dogs owned by low income families there. Its commitment to the welfare of the dogs and cats it takes in is for life: anyone who adopts a dog or a cat from CWOB can return the animal at any point during its life if the adopter is no longer able to care for it for any reason. I have seen dogs returned up to three years after their adoption, for all sorts of reasons; the dogs are taken back, and the marketing process to find potential adopters starts all over again. CWOB has a cadre of dedicated volunteers and employees who between them work hard to ensure that every animal in their care is sheltered and regularly fed, exercised, trained, and medically cared for during its stay. Animals are only euthanized for dangerous (and non-correctible) behavioral or untreatable medical conditions affecting the animal's quality of life; at CWOB, no animal is euthanized simply because a home cannot be found for it. I have been volunteering there for more than five years now, and will continue to do so as long as I live nearby. My wife and I have fostered around thirty CWOB dogs over five years; all were transitioned to loving homes after lives of desperation on the streets of Mexico or the Central Valley; thousands of others have been rescued, cared for, and placed over the last 20 years thanks to the various programs offered by this outstanding non-profit organization and the determination of its visionary founders. I have never known an organization like it, and am proud to be a part of its mission."
— paul m.
Volunteer / foster
"Compassion Without Borders is truly an organization that lives up to it’s name. With a clinic and Mexico and a facility in Santa Rosa, California it transports, heals, loves, comforts and adopts out 100’s of dogs each year. Dogs that would not have had a chance at knowing a loving, safe home. It provides low cost wellness and spay/neuter clinics once a month to the community. It’s founder Dr. Christi Camblor, DMV works tirelessly to provide a better life for animals."
— sunny p.
Volunteer / foster
"CWOB leads with love and compassion in every aspect of their mission. Compassion Without Borders doesn't let their community feel that they are alone regardless of race, nationality, gender, or financial stability. I am proud to be a part of something so special."
— morgan t.
Staff member
"I HAVE BEEN A VOLUNTEER AT CWOB FOR 4 YRS. CWOB TAKES CARE OF THE "WHOLE DOG". MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED, MANY DOGS ARE FOSTERED, OTHERS ARE HOUSED AT OUR SHELTER MUTTOPIA. EACH DOG IS EVALUATED AND TREATED AS AN INDIVIDUAL SO THAT THEY WILL BE ADOPTABLE. MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE ADOPTED CWOB DOGS. IT IS AN HONOR TO VOLUNTEER WITH SUCH A DEVOTED GROUP."
— debi p.
Volunteer / foster
"Compassion Without Borders is all heart. Working tirelessly to help dogs from California and Mexico with medical conditions and fully supporting spay/neuter and Wellness Clinics for loving pet-owners through low cost programs."
— susan s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Amazing dedication to giving dogs a second chance in life. Awesome staff and volunteers!"
— karen o.
Volunteer / foster
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