Region: Mexico

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

MEXICO CITY—This month, experts in animal cruelty prevention and response from Humane Society International trained officials, veterinarians and non-profit organizations in Mexico City, Yucatán, Aguascalientes and Quintana Roo. The trainings included topics from shelter management to animal handling and forensic investigations of animal abuse.

The Mexican public is strongly against animal cruelty. According to Parametria, a national polling agency, 95% of Mexicans believe animal abusers should be punished. All Mexican states—except one—penalize animal cruelty in their state criminal codes and Mexico City recognizes animals as “sentient beings” in their constitution.

These trainings arose as part of an agreement with the Citizen Security Secretariat in Mexico City, as well as this year’s renewal of cooperation agreements with authorities in Quintana Roo and Aguascalientes and the preparation of a new agreement in Yucatan. In the context of cruelty cases that have raised the visibility of animal abuse nationwide, these trainings provided skills and tools to officials responsible for responding to cruelty complaints.

The Mexican Association of Forensic Veterinary Medicine, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the Mexico City Environment Attorney, the Mexico City Police, the Aguascalientes State Attorney for Environmental Protection, the Institute of Biodiversity of Quintana Roo, and the Merida City Council, among others, participated in the training. HSI/Mexico has agreements in place with most of these entities to support anti-cruelty efforts through trainings and assist with large scale animal abuse cases.

“Mexicans care deeply for their animals and we’re pleased to see enthusiasm from officials to gain new skills to investigate and intervene in instances of animal cruelty,” said Felipe Márquez Muñoz, program manager of animal cruelty for Humane Society International/Mexico.

Speakers in the trainings included local and international experts such as Grettel Delgadillo, deputy director for HSI/Latin America and program manager of wildlife at HSI/Latin America; Alba Michelle González, forensic veterinarian; Janette Reever, program manager of animal crimes investigations for HSI, and Shalimar Oliver, case manager for animal crimes for HSI. A total of 298 officials and people from NGOs were trained in this series; in addition, due to the demand and interests of other states of the Mexican Republic, one training was transmitted by the video conferencing channel of the Veterinary Faculty of Mexico´s Nacional Autonomous University reaching 780 replays.

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

Humane Society International / Mexico

Meredith Lee/HSI

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico―The first survey of dogs and cats in Mexico, implemented in the city of Aguascalientes and developed by the animal welfare organization Humane Society International/Mexico, reveals the need for more accessible and affordable sterilization services. Only 32% of the city’s roughly 310,000 dogs and 40% of 77,000 cats have been sterilized, raising the chances of unwanted puppies and kittens being abandoned on the streets.

Felipe Márquez, HSI/Mexico Animal Cruelty Program Manager, said: “This survey of cats and dogs, the first of its kind in the state of Aguascalientes, will help local stakeholders better understand the issues facing animals, as well as solutions to improve welfare and help both animals and communities”.

The survey also revealed a clear pet-gift culture in the city, with many respondents indicating that they had given or received a pet as a gift. Giving away pets can result in unwanted animals being turned over to animal control centers and shelters, and perhaps not surprisingly, the survey also found that dogs from low-income and rural communities were more likely to be turned over to local animal control facilities, which have an estimated 90% euthanasia rate.

Claudia Edwards, Director of Campaigns for Humane Society International/Mexico, said: “Based on the results of our survey, we can better target our community education efforts to help people understand the care and basic needs of cats and dogs, and to guide initiatives that can increase the percentage of pets receiving veterinary care. It is clear that affordable and accessible veterinary services are needed to help keep pets healthy and in their homes.”

The survey in Aguascalientes was conducted by a team of HSI/Mexico specialists trained in monitoring, evaluation and impact analysis, and was conducted using HSI’s specially developed mobile phone app to accurately record the location of each dog and cat and calculate the total number of animals roaming the streets.

Given the considerable population of dogs and cats in Aguascalientes, interventions must effectively target populations of animals most at risk of being turned over to shelters or animal control centers, abandoned, or that may contribute to the birth of unwanted litters.

Download a Summary of the Report

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay:(+52 55) 5211 8731ext. 104; mgaribay@idee.agencia

Humane Society International signs agreement with state Biodiversity Institute

Humane Society International / Mexico

Darren Mower/istock

CANCUN, Mexico—Humane Society International, a leading animal welfare organization, signed an agreement with the Biodiversity Institute of Quintana Roo State in Mexico to enhance anti-cruelty training programs and capacity to respond to reports of animal cruelty.

Anton Aguilar, director of HSI/Mexico, said: “This agreement shows that Quintana Roo State authorities are prioritizing the fight against animal cruelty. They continue and expand on a series of programs that we are developing to work with local authorities in Mexico, to create a culture of respect and care towards animals. We thank Secretary of Ecology and Environment Josefina Hernández and Lourdes Souza, director of Biodiversity and Animal Welfare at IBANQROO, for their commitment to animal care.”

Collaboration with the Biodiversity Institute of Quintana Roo will include trainings on animal welfare legislation, animal behavior, response to animal cruelty cases, and preparedness and response to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, which are frequent in the area. HSI/Mexico also participates in the Animal Welfare Council of Quintana Roo, which is in charge of helping strengthen animal protection policies across the state.

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Media contact: Anton Aguilar: aaguilar@hsi.org

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI/Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—Humane Society International/ Mexico, a world-leading animal protection organization, congratulates the Congress of Mexico City for approving reforms to the Penal Code for the Federal District, the Animal Protection Law and the Civic Culture Law of Mexico City to deter and end the abandonment, mutilation for aesthetic reasons, mistreatment, poisoning, kidnapping, consumption of, and cruelty to, companion animals, in addition to the operation of illicit slaughterhouses and the use of an animal for sexual purposes.

The penalties for such animal cruelty have been increased to between one and six years in prison. In cases of serious animal suffering, the penalties can be increased up to 10 years in prison. Previously, the penalties were between six months and four years in prison. Financial fines have also been increased.

Dr. Claudia Edwards, veterinary and program director for HSI/Mexico, said: “This is a milestone moment for animal protection in Mexico City that legislators have decided to increase penalties against the abandonment, poisoning, mistreatment, consumption of and cruelty to companion animals. Bigger fines and longer jail time is a welcome deterrent against animal abuse. The reforms comply with the provisions of article 13, section b of the political Constitution of Mexico City, and recognize animals as sentient beings. As such, it is the legal obligation of every citizen to respect the life and integrity of animals. However, HSI/Mexico regrets that these reforms do not yet include the dogfighting industry which is responsible for terrible animal cruelty and which has been discussed without action for some years in Mexico City. We urge legislators to expand the scope of these revisions to help stop the abuse experienced by dogs used for fighting.”

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay: 55 5407 0502, mgaribay@idee.agency

Humane Society International / Mexico

Meredith Lee/HSI

MEXICO CITY—Humane Society International/Mexico congratulated the LXIV Legislature of the Tlaxcala State Congress members for recognizing and punishing animal abuse as a crime unanimously.

Dr. Claudia Edwards, programs director for HSI/Mexico, said: “We applaud the decision of legislators to combat and punish animal cruelty—in dog fighting in particular—complying with the provisions of article 87 bis 2 of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection.”

This reform to the Penal Code was presented last year by congresswoman Maribel León Cruz and was supported by different animal protection organizations, including Animal Rescue-Legal Defense Tlaxcala and HSI/Mexico, and several local individuals interested in animal welfare. With this decision, Chiapas is now the only federal state without penalties for animal abuse in its state criminal code.

HSI/Mexico has worked with various civil organizations for animal protection and with authorities in various states to assist in legislation to combat and eradicate all forms of animal cruelty.

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay: 55 5407 0502; mgaribay@idee.agency

Humane Society International / Mexico

Aguascalientes, MEXICO—Humane Society International/Mexico provided relief to animals after a fuel tanker crash sparked a huge blaze in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The accident produced a giant fuel fire engulfing dozens of homes and sparking the evacuation of 1,500 people. Although thankfully no human lives were lost in the explosion, sadly 22 animals were killed by the fire and more than 100 more were impacted by the emergency.  

HSI/Mexico’s team on the ground coordinated with local authorities to facilitate access to rescue pets whose owners had been evacuated to the emergency shelters, and to reunite them with their families. In addition, HSI/Mexico provided pet food, cages, dishes and other essentials so that animals were properly cared for. The organization also coordinated the help of the local veterinary association, other animal protection groups and government officials.   

Over 100 pets were affected by the emergency, including 55 dogs, nine cats, 31 birds, one rabbit and 15 fish. Nearly 20 animals are currently being held in temporary shelters, while the rest have been reunited with their families.   

Felipe Márquez, HSI/Mexico’s animal cruelty program manager, said: “It is heartbreaking to see people and animals suffering in a disaster such as this. These animals play a crucial role in the lives of the people affected by the explosion, who consider them members of their family. Safely reuniting people and pets at a time like this brings all concerned immense emotional comfort, so we are grateful to the Aguascalientes authorities for including animal protection in their disaster response and for coordinating with animal protection groups such as HSI/Mexico. The help we are able to provide is making the difference in a very dire situation for the people and animals affected by this terrible accident.”  

HSI responds to disasters around the world to assist animals and communities in need. For example, in 2018, HSI stepped in to provide emergency treatment to dogs, cats, chickens, horses and other animals affected by the Volcan de Fuego eruptions in Guatemala, and in 2017 HSI helped more than 6,200 animals affected by deadly earthquakes in Mexico. Most recently, members of HSI/Mexico were deployed to Poland and Romania to assist HSI’s local team in helping refugees with pets who had escaped the war in Ukraine.  

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U.S media contact: Melissa Smith: 231–360–7676, mmsmith@humanesociety.org

Humane Society International is supporting RIU Hotels to reach animal welfare commitment by 2025

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—RIU Hotels Group, with 100 locations in over 20 countries, announced its commitment to implement a fully cage-free procurement policy for all types of eggs utilized by its hotels around the globe by the end of 2025.

The hotel group has been working with Humane Society International/Mexico since 2021 to begin this supply chain transition, supporting egg producers who have made the change to higher animal welfare systems and cage-free living for thousands of hens.

The cage-free systems provide the laying hens with space to walk and develop their natural behavior. In caged systems, the laying hens do have not enough space to walk, nest or perform other fundamental behaviors. RIU Hotels has been committed to sustainability and animal welfare initiatives throughout its global operations. This commitment represents an important step in fulfilling its path as a socially responsible company.

“Within the framework of our Animal Welfare Policy, we commit that 100% of the eggs consumed in all our hotels and in all our products come from cage-free birds by the end of 2025. We will not accept breeding systems combined. This transition will be gradual, and we will work hand in hand with expert organizations in the field, as well as local suppliers and producers to achieve it. We will publicly report our progress toward full compliance with this commitment on our website or other means annually, said RIU Hotels Group”

“HSI congratulates RIU Hotels for its commitment to farm animal welfare and for taking steps to implement better conditions for hundreds of thousands of laying hens worldwide. We commend RIU for taking action to ensure that this important commitment will be met and are excited to collaborate further in Mexico and beyond,” says Arianna Torres, corporate relations, and public policy manager at HSI/Mexico.

Reference in this article to any specific commercial product or service, or the use of any brand, trade, firm or corporation name is for the information of the public only, and does not constitute or imply endorsement by HSI/Mexico or any of its affiliates of the product or service, or its producer or provider, and should not be construed or relied upon, under any circumstances, by implication or otherwise, as investment advice. Links and access by hypertext to other websites is provided as a convenience only and does not indicate or imply any endorsement with respect to any of the content on such website nor any of the views expressed thereon.

Media contact: Laura Bravo: laura@labcomunicacion.com

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

Humane Society International

istock

Watch these webinars to learn about the market opportunities and scientific basis behind cage-free egg production according to experts in the field and cage-free producers in Latin America.

Part 1

Part 2

The organization, along with independent rescuers and local and state government, will conduct two types of surveys in the streets of Aguascalientes

Humane Society International / Mexico

HSI Global

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico—Mexico’s first ever dog and cat survey will be conducted in the city of Aguascalientes, coordinated by animal protection organization Humane Society International/Mexico, A.C.

Starting August 15, a team of volunteers from local associations, independent rescuers, university students and state and municipal authorities will conduct a count of free-roaming dogs in the Aguascalientes area and surrounding communities. The census will also include house-to-house surveys. The data gathered will provide evidence-based insights to help stakeholders better understand cultural attitudes and behaviors toward both dogs and cats in Aguascalientes. The focus is to better support the needs of both the animal and human inhabitants of the area and promote harmonious interaction and coexistence.

“This is an effort that is unprecedented in all of Mexico. Having accurate dog and cat population counts and understanding the attitude and behavior of dog and cat owners is essential so that the authorities, academia, organizations and citizens can design and agree on impact-driven projects that improve the lives of animals and people alike,” said Felipe Márquez, animal cruelty program manager of Humane Society International/México, A.C.

As the population of owned and free-roaming dogs and cats increases, resources can become scarce, increasing the number of dogs and cats who do not get their needs met in terms of food, nutrition or veterinary care. This can result in poor health and welfare and increase the risk that these animals may carry diseases that could impact other animals and people. The innovative assessment, monitoring and evaluation component of HSI’s work is based on the One Health concept, which recognizes that human health, animal health and environmental health are interdependent.

The household surveys will be conducted according to a specially designed methodology and are completely voluntary, with no personal data collected.

The participation of the community is welcomed and appreciated as teams will be randomly surveying households in various neighborhoods. For more information, or to help, contact Felipe Marquez at fmarquez@hsi.org

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Media contact: Magaly Garibay:(+52 55) 5211 8731ext. 104, mgaribay@idee.agencia

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