Zoneto Hero · Since 2018
Everyone can be a hero.
Protecting biodiversity through music, from a self-sustaining sanctuary model in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Figures as of October 12, 2026.
Recognition · 2026
Selected among the 500 best socio-environmental projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The challenge
The silent crisis of the Andean highlands
The Ecuadorian páramo is one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world. It provides water for millions of people and is home to the Andean condor, the spectacled bear and the white-tailed deer. Today, abandoned dogs are triggering a chain reaction: they form feral packs, come into conflict with livestock, and the usual response, poison, ends up reaching protected wildlife.
This is not only an animal welfare crisis. It is a biodiversity crisis.
-
Animal rescue & care
Rescue, veterinary care and a home for abandoned animals, right where the chain begins.
-
Wildlife conservation
Protecting the condor, the spectacled bear and the white-tailed deer by breaking the cycle that leads to poison.
-
Music with purpose
Every Zoneto Music show contributes directly to the cause.
-
Regenerative sanctuary
A self-sustaining, modular and replicable model: solar energy, its own water management and regenerative food.
Why it matters
Breaking the chain
Zoneto Hero intervenes at the source, before the chain of ecosystem damage begins.
01Abandoned animals
Abandonment of domestic dogs grew across the Ecuadorian highlands during the pandemic years, 2020 to 2022. Many end up in the páramo.
We tell this story without images of suffering.
- Results, not pity
- Invitation, not pressure
02Feral dog packs
In the páramo, abandoned dogs form feral packs and come into conflict with local livestock. We choose not to show it: Zoneto communicates through results, never through suffering.
Poison doesn’t stop at its target.
- Andean condor
- Spectacled bear
- White-tailed deer
03Poison in the páramo
The usual response to feral packs is poison, and it ends up reaching protected wildlife.
04Wildlife loss
Species like the Andean condor, the spectacled bear and the white-tailed deer are affected, and the balance of the whole ecosystem with them.
05Conservation
Zoneto Hero works at the start of the chain: rescue, veterinary campaigns and responsible adoption, so the páramo keeps its balance.
Our mission
Transforming conservation through purpose, innovation and music.
-
Protect biodiversity
Safeguarding native wildlife and restoring ecological balance across the Andean highlands.
-
Restore lives
Rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong care for abandoned domestic animals, with an area for injured wildlife in development.
-
Inspire global action
Mobilizing artists, companies and communities to turn talent into measurable environmental impact.
The model
A sanctuary, not a shelter.
Zoneto Hero is a self-sustaining, modular and replicable sanctuary. It brings together animal welfare, ecosystem regeneration, technology and its own economic model, so that protecting lives doesn’t depend on donations alone.
-
Pillar 01
Real animal welfare
Not a temporary shelter: a home. Every animal has permanent veterinary care and individual follow-up.
- Permanent veterinary care
- Individual follow-up for every animal
- Wildlife rehabilitation area in development
-
Pillar 02
Smart self-sufficiency
Each module is designed to sustain itself, reducing costs and its footprint on the ecosystem.
- Solar energy
- Its own water management
- Regenerative food production
-
Pillar 03
Radical transparency
Income and expenses are reported to sponsors and volunteers from day one.
- Public reports
- Photos and invoices as backup
- Individual record of every animal treated
Proven pilot. The model is already running in Imbabura, Ecuador, with distributed animal care.
Discover the modelOur impact
Because when we protect nature, we protect our future.
- 200+ Animals rescued & assisted since 2018
- 28 Animals under direct care
- 4 Community veterinary campaigns
- USD19,000+ Founder investment, documented
Figures as of October 12, 2026.
Radical transparency
Every dollar, accounted for.
Zoneto Hero has been funded since 2018 by private investment and its founder’s own resources. Every expense is backed by records, so anyone who joins knows exactly where their support goes.
-
Documented investment
Every expense is backed by invoices and receipts.
-
No outstanding debt
All veterinary invoices are paid in full.
-
Individual records
Every animal treated in our campaigns is recorded: name, species, age, procedure and cost.
-
Reports for sponsors
Income and expenses are shared with sponsors and volunteers, with photos and invoices as backup.
Music with purpose
Music keeps the cause alive.
Zoneto Music is our economic engine: an international community of artists with purpose and live music experiences. A percentage of every show goes directly to Zoneto Hero, so protecting lives doesn’t depend on the will to donate alone.
“The economy sustains the mission. The mission gives meaning to the economy.”
-
Zoneto Music
Live experiences and partnerships with purpose.
-
A percentage of every show
Goes directly to the cause, after covering the artists’ and the production’s costs.
-
Zoneto Hero
Food, veterinary care and the sanctuary model.
Roadmap
From a proven pilot to a Latin American network.
The model already works. The next step is to concentrate it in a first territorial module, and then replicate it.
-
Done
Proven pilot
Distributed animal care, operations and self-sufficiency, validated in Imbabura.
-
Next stage
Module 1
The first concentrated territorial module, with a wildlife rehabilitation area.
-
Goal
First international replica
Colombia or Peru, with a standardized protocol.
-
Vision
Latin American network
Connected modules sharing one central transparency platform.
We’re not asking for everything to be solved. We want to scale a model that already works.
Help build Module 1Take action
Be part of the movement.
Everyone can be a hero. Choose the way that fits you best, from joining the community to building the first module of the sanctuary.
-
01
For everyone
Join the community
Join our international community and help protect biodiversity through music.
Join -
02
For individuals · in kind
Daily care action
Bring what our dogs need every day: food, fresh vegetables and medicine.
See what they need -
03
For individuals · monthly
Become a sponsor
Support the sanctuary with a recurring donation and receive our transparency reports.
I want to sponsor -
04
For companies & investors
Partner with us
Invest in building Module 1, the first modular and self-sustaining sanctuary of the model, and in expanding it across Latin America.
Become a partner
What our dogs need every day
Each dog has its own diet, based on its health and physical condition. Every contribution goes straight to their daily care.
- Medicated food
- Dog food
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Frozen collagen
- Eggs
- Medicine
Drop-off: San Fernando de Coñaquí. We’re planning collection points in the city. Write to us and we’ll help you coordinate your delivery.
Join the community
Welcome to the movement.
Leave us your details and we’ll continue the conversation on WhatsApp.
← See all the ways to helpDaily care action
Thank you for bringing daily care.
Tell us what you’d like to bring. We’ll coordinate the delivery with you on WhatsApp.
← See all the ways to helpBecome a sponsor
Thank you for wanting to sponsor.
Tell us a bit about you. As a sponsor, you’ll receive regular reports on income, expenses and the animals in our care.
← See all the ways to helpPartner with us
Let’s build Module 1 together.
Tell us about you or your organization. Our team will reach out to explore how we can work together.
← See all the ways to helpEveryone can be a hero
Become a hero for biodiversity.
The condor, the spectacled bear and the dogs of the páramo share the same home. Help us protect it, in the way that fits you best.