Issue Type: Education and Training

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

QUINTANA ROO, Mexico—Humane Society International/Mexico and IBANQROO (Institute for Animal Welfare of Quintana Roo) have collaborated to train 77 professionals—including veterinarians, biologists, authorities, and representatives of animal protection organizations—in disaster response and animal cruelty prevention in Quintana Roo. These training sessions, conducted across the southern and northern regions of the state, were designed to enhance attendees’ skills and preparedness in response to animal welfare emergencies.

The training sessions provided both theoretical and practical lessons, including CPR for dogs and cats, strategies for animal rescue during fire emergencies, and protocols for documenting animal cruelty cases. Underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary work and coordinated efforts, the program emphasized that rescue efforts must be carried out safely and with knowledge to avoid endangering rescuers, animals, or disturbing crime scenes.

Felipe Márquez, program manager for disaster response at HSI/Latin America, highlighted the significance of this interdisciplinary approach: “When responding to crises, it’s vital that every professional, from veterinarians to first responders, understands how to safely and effectively help animals without putting themselves at risk. This training not only equips them with life-saving skills but also fosters collaboration, which is essential for successful animal rescues in disaster situations.”

Claudia Edwards, director of programs at HSI/Mexico, added: “This training is crucial for ensuring that animals receive the help they need while maintaining safety and preserving evidence. It’s a step forward for animal protection in Quintana Roo.”

The Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo is a leading institution committed to preserving the state’s biodiversity and ecosystems at a state level. Through a collaborative “one health” approach, IBANQROO partners with various sectors to establish and safeguard natural areas, promote environmental education and responsible stewardship, and advocate for animal protection and cruelty prevention. Since signing a collaboration agreement in 2018, HSI and IBANQROO have together conducted training programs, participated in the state’s Animal Welfare Council, responded to disaster situations, and supported educational and legislative efforts to advance animal welfare throughout the region.

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Media contact: Carson Baer, Media Relations Specialist; cbaer@humanesociety.org

Humane Society International / Mexico

AP Images for HSI

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—Thanks to a collaboration between Mexico City’s Secretariat of Disaster Risk Management and Civil Protection and Humane Society International/Mexico, over 100 officials from various municipalities—including firefighters, members of search and rescue units, and community brigade personnel—received training on handling animals in crisis. The training, offered throughout 2024, focused on disaster response and pet first aid, covering topics such as CPR and respiratory emergency care.  

“Mexico City is an important geographic priority for civil protection efforts to prepare the population for a disaster, and now animals are being included in these exercises,” said Felipe Márquez, program manager, disaster response, of Humane Society International/Latin America. 

HSI/Mexico has regularly collaborated with the authorities of Mexico City, particularly after the earthquake of September 19, 2017, when the organization provided help to more than 6,200 animals through emergency veterinary clinics. “Mexico City is highly vulnerable to disasters, as we were reminded by the earthquakes in 1985 and 2017, which resulted in a significant number of fatalities and injuries,” said Marquez. 

Mexico is one of the countries in the world with the greatest telluric (subsurface electrical) activity. According to statistics, more than 90 earthquakes are recorded per year with a magnitude greater than 4 degrees on the Richter scale, which is equivalent to 60% of all telluric movements that are recorded in the world. 

Strengthening local capacities is a key focus for HSI/Mexico, which seeks to build a culture of prevention that includes animals in disaster planning. This involves coordinated efforts to set up temporary shelters where people can safely stay with their pets during emergencies. 

“From February to August, we have provided four training sessions for over 100 officials from different departments in Mexico City. The reception has been very positive, with attendees noting that the topics covered are highly relevant to their daily work and crucial for managing the impact of disasters,” says Márquez. 

Coordination between the non-governmental organization and government authorities allows for greater response capacity in the face of the current hurricane season, as well as in the event of any eventual emergency in Mexico City and the rest of the country.

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay, mgaribay@idee.agencia; (+52 55) 5211 873, ext. 104

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—Humane Society International/Mexico provided a specialized training session on July 24 for BVA (Brigada de Vigilancia Animal), a police unit dedicated to animal welfare, and PAOT (Procuraduría Ambiental y del Ordenamiento Territorial), a government agency focused on enforcing residents’ rights to a healthy environment. This training focused on cat behavior and welfare, aiming to enhance the care and management of sheltered cats within the BVA.

During the training, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of basic care requirements for cats in the care of the BVA, including preventive medicine protocols and necessary measures for proper handling and facility management. The course covered how to maintain a good quality of life for the cats, understanding their communication methods, and recognizing normal behavior patterns.

Dr. Claudia Edwards, a veterinarian and HSI/Mexico director of programs, emphasized the importance of this training: “It is crucial for authorities to be knowledgeable about cat behavior and welfare. Most of the knowledge and courses are focused on dogs, and cats are left aside, that is why on this occasion we wanted to focus on this species that has very special needs and behaviors, so they can provide the best possible environment for them.”

This initiative was part of the collaboration agreement that HSI and the Secretary of Citizen Security signed and underscored Humane Society International/Mexico’s commitment to promoting animal welfare and ensuring that all cats received the care and respect they deserve.

The Animal Surveillance Brigade’s functions include preventing animal abuse, rescuing animals in situations of cruelty, and caring for them until adoption. Through permanent work, the brigade attends to reports of animal abuse in the 16 municipalities of Mexico City; on many occasions the Brigade works hand in hand with the Environmental Prosecutor and with the Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Environmental Crimes, or FIDAMPU, in cases of extreme cruelty.

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Media contact: Carson Baer, media specialist; cbaer@humanesociety.org

The course, led by HSI/Mexico, aims to empower and educate first responders and other authorities on animal welfare in cases of cruelty and disaster

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

TEPIC, Nayarit—This week, Humane Society International/Mexico conducted a training aimed at strengthening Nayarit’s response to animal cruelty and disaster situations. The event brought together 75 participants from a diverse group, including personnel from 911 emergency services, public prosecutors, municipal and state police, civil protection and firefighters and members of the Nayarit State Commission for the Protection of Fauna.

The comprehensive training covered a spectrum of crucial topics, including receiving reports of animal abuse and how to triage, assessing animal welfare based on the scientific model of the five domains, combatting dogfighting and including pets in disaster prevention plans.

“We want to take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Nayarit for the recent establishment of the Specialized Public Prosecutor’s Office for Domestic Animal Abuse Crimes,” said Claudia Edwards, program manager at Humane Society International/Mexico. “We’re grateful to see the prosecutor’s office prioritizing the safety and welfare of animals.”

A small evacuation drill was also carried out by the attendees with the guidance of civil protection and state firefighters.

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Humane Society International trains local authorities in Central America on forensic veterinary sciences

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

SAN JOSE—More than 250 government officials, veterinarians and other professionals in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala attended a series of trainings provided by the animal protection organization Humane Society International to reinforce their knowledge investigative techniques and forensic veterinary medicine to apply in cases of crimes committed against animals.

In all three countries, officials participated in a workshop that addressed topics such as crime scene inspection, evidence collection and errors that may affect the chain of custody. For veterinarians, trainings involved their role in identifying animal cruelty and crimes against wildlife and how to properly describe injuries and create expert reports and other topics.

Victor Gonzalez, veterinarian and director of the International Animal Forensic Science Working Group, carried out a simulation that allowed participants to put into practice their crime scene investigation knowledge.

“Through this training, we want to share different perspectives that must be taken into account in both civil and criminal investigation of cases where animals are involved. Today, many guidelines for crimes committed against humans are followed, but perhaps we should follow a different path, due to the context in which these types of illegal acts occur,” said Gonzalez.

“For example, understanding how to handle a crime scene—which is the starting point of any investigation—is crucial for all subsequent laboratory work and for the final interpretation, where different disciplines must participate. It is changing the paradigm of what exists until today, for a more comprehensive vision,” Gonzalez added.

“It’s important for law enforcement officials to be well versed in crimes committed against animals. Our work in Central America supporting local authorities with animal welfare is incredibly meaningful because it increases the chances that these cases will be properly investigated and prosecuted,” Andrea Borel, director of HSI/Latin America, said.

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Media Contact: Alejandra Zúñiga: (506) 7012-5598; alezuniga@outlook.com

Humane Society International / Latin America

HSI

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica—From how to improvise a muzzle to the correct way to treat a poisoned cat or dog—these were some of the topics addressed at Humane Society International/Latin America’s first aid training. The workshop was given to 20 judicial police agents from the new specialized section against environmental crimes and other regional offices.

The new section has dealt with 83 cases of animal cruelty nationwide from April to December 2022. HSI/Latin America seeks to provide judicial agents with tools so that they can safeguard animal lives at crime scenes, while protecting valuable evidence.

“We analyzed the most common examples of animal cruelty, for example, physical injuries resulting in fractures, bleeding and burns, and how agents can give the animal a better chance to survive, but always paying attention to the surroundings so as not to lose evidence that can contribute to cruelty cases,” said Sofia Herra, cruelty prevention and companion animals program manager for HSI/Latin America.

Workshop participants also practiced helping an animal in the event of poisoning, suffocation or heat stroke, how to apply bandages and temporary splints, and responding when a dog or cat has a seizure or suffers cardiorespiratory arrest.

“Agents from this specialized section are often the first to respond to complaints of animal cruelty in cases taken by the Judicial Police. Therefore, this workshop was very useful since it provides us with tools to deal with these situations and help the animals involved, always preserving the integrity of crime scene,” said investigator Shirley Calderon of the specialized section against environmental crimes.

HSI/Latin America seeks to work jointly with government institutions that address animal cruelty in Costa Rica. “We want to support their capacity building, with workshops such as this one, but we are also interested in actively contributing to preventing and reducing animal cruelty cases in the country,” Herra said.

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Media contact: Alejandra Zuniga: 7012-5598; azuniga@hsi.org

Humane Society International / Mexico

Claudia Edwards

MEXICO CITY—To provide tools to adequately respond to reports of animal abuse as well as in cases of emergencies and disasters, Humane Society International/Mexico conducted a training session for members of the Animal Vigilance Brigade within the collaboration agreement signed with the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City.

This activity was carried out jointly by Centro de Capacitación, Adiestramiento y Desarrollo en Emergencias and Humane Society International/Mexico, a leading international animal protection organization, on October 20 and 21.

Dr. Claudia Edwards, program director of HSI/Mexico, said: “Working together with diverse agencies allows us to strengthen the capacity to protect companion animals, who are a fundamental part of our lives. Activities such as this one improves the officers’ ability to respond in cases of mistreated and injured animals that they attend every day and thus they know how to act in the best possible way to safeguard them.”

The event was aimed at 24 members of the Animal Vigilance Brigade, who received national and international certifications from CECAD. The activity covered theoretical and practical topics such as the most common emergencies, how to perform CPR on dogs and cats, oxygen therapy, how to place splints and muzzles, and disaster response plans for animals and people, among others.

HSI makes various efforts to strengthen the culture of prevention and the capacity to respond to cases of cruelty to animals and emergencies and disasters involving animals. The organization has trained several elements of various agencies in cities such as Chetumal, Merida, Monterrey, Tlaxcala, Aguascalientes and Mexico City.

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Media contact: Claudia Edwards, campaign director HSI/Mexico: cedwards@hsi.org ; 5513805569

National and international experts share knowledge and experience with officials; HSI visited three states to offer animal welfare workshops

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

MEXICO CITY—In recent days, a team of disaster and animal cruelty response experts from Humane Society International presented and hosted workshops covering animal welfare issues for federal and local authorities and nonprofit organizations from Mexico City, Tlaxcala, Pachuca, Estado de México, Yucatan and Aguascalientes.

The presentations were coordinated with officials in the three host states (Mexico City, Yucatan and Aguascalientes), and the participants include the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC), the Mexico City Environmental and Territorial Planning Attorney’s Office of Mexico City (PAOT), Animal Surveillance Brigade of Mexico City (BVA), State Attorney General of Justice, Animal Care Agency of Mexico City (AGATAN), Alcaldia BJ, the State Environmental Protection Attorney’s Office (PROESPA) in Aguascalientes, and the Merida City Council, among others. They had numerous participants from the emergency forces, authorities in charge of investigating and prosecuting cases of animal cruelty, as well as NGOs of four states.

As part of the disaster training, the HSI team from Mexico and Latin America took a fire response training given by the Aguascalientes State Fire Department, which will help develop protocols that include animals in different emergencies. “We are pleased with the interest of the officials in obtaining tools and skills to carry out their work in the best possible way, this series of trainings were possible thanks to the support and alliances that Humane Society International/Mexico has forged in these States,” said Felipe Márquez Muñoz, animal cruelty program manager at Humane Society International/Mexico.

Sofia Herra, companion animal and animal cruelty program manager for HSI/Latin America, Claudia Edwards, director of animal cruelty programs for HSI/Mexico, and Felipe Márquez were joined by colleagues from HSI’s global team for the training programs. Janette Reever, program manager of animal cruelty investigations and Adam Parascandola, vice president of HSI’s Animal Rescue Team, traveled from the U.S. to participate.  Parascandola, Edwards and Márquez were recently in Eastern Europe where they and the organization’s team in Europe provided assistance and aid to refugees from Ukraine who fled the war with their pets.  Together they covered topics such as aiding animals during and after disasters and community involvement with abandoned animals and animal welfare.

“Thanks to this joint effort between HSI and different authorities, the day-to-day work carried out by the entities in charge of rescuing and promoting the welfare of animals in Mexico City, Tlaxcala, Pachuca, Estado de México. Yucatán and Aguascalientes can be strengthened,” said Felipe Márquez.

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay: mgaribay@idee.agencia ; (+52 55) 5211 873, ext. 104

Humane Society International / Africa

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Humane Society International/Liberia, in collaboration with Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority (FDA), recently convened a two-day wildlife law enforcement training for members of the country’s security sector and judiciary.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Bomi County Inspector Jumah E S Goll challenged the participants to enhance their skills to protect wildlife by implementing the law. He also said that the protection of wildlife is the collective effort of every Liberian, including the security sector and the judiciary–and that knowledge concerning wildlife will go a long way to protecting the animals across the country.

Inspector Jumah Goll emphasised that enforcing the law will ensure the preservation of wildlife in their natural habitat and that serious attention should be given to the laws protecting Liberia’s wild animals.

“It is essential for security personnel and the judiciary to participate in the FDA’s mandate to ensure that Liberia`s biodiversity is preserved,” added HSI/Liberia country director, Morris Darbo.

According to Darbo, Liberia presents a unique biodiversity hotspot in the sub-region that needs to be conserved for future generations. He also appealed to the participants to use the training as an opportunity to learn and to join the FDA in combating wildlife crime in the country.

Technical Manager for the Conservation Department of FDA, Blamah S. Goll said that the wildlife law enforcement training should be taken seriously.

“Our forefathers should be lauded for preserving the biodiversity over the years and now this generation should be able to protect and preserve wildlife for the future,” added Manager Goll.

Humane Society International / India

Farm animal protection is an unexplored sector, and is seldom seen as a long-term career option. The insufficient interest and support from premier public and private institutions has created a vast talent pool gap. What is often overlooked is that the maximum suffering of and impact on animals and people is centred around farm animal issues. While it lies at the intersection of environment protection, climate change mitigation, nutrition, food and water security, public health, livelihoods and labour welfare, it continues to work in silos.

The primary objective of the Farm Animal Protection Leadership Programme is to serve as a framework to strengthen the Indian farm animal protection movement and bring together its allies for a sustainable future.

Vision: Our vision is to create united, talented and skilled leaders who will transform India in its endeavour to create a compassionate and sustainable future.

Mission: Our mission is to enable farm animal protection through values-aligned leadership in the sector.

Participants will be able to:

  • Learn from the foremost global leadership and farm animal protection experts
  • Network with the brightest peers in the farm animal movement
  • Build coalitions with allied movements
  • Explore purpose-driven high-impact career opportunities

Who should apply

We are seeking participants who are passionate, visionary individuals with a clear desire to transform the lives of farm animals, people and our planet. We are looking for leaders who will bring integrity, values and a collaborative spirit into advocacy for farm animals.

We invite those who wish to develop the skills to design, run and measure impactful programmes for farm animals, who will bring new ideas to pressing challenges we face, and who have strong growth potential and the propensity for creating a vibrant movement for farm animals.

Professionals, part-time and full-time employees, consultants, interns and volunteers from the following fields may apply for the programme:

  • Animal protection
  • Environment protection and climate change mitigation
  • Labour welfare
  • Food and nutrition security, and public health

Deadlines and how to apply

  • Opening of applications: 1 February 2021
  • Closing of applications: 21 February 2021
  • Announcement of final list of (30) selected participants: 20 March 2021
  • Commencement of programme: 9 April 2021
  • Duration of programme: 6 months + internship/project
  • Fee: The cost of the programme, if invited to participate, is INR 20000, payable at https://supporthsi.in/

To apply: Please download and fill out this application form and send it by 11:59 pm, 21 February 2021 to farmanimalleadership@hsi.org

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