As 2025 comes to a close, Patricia Sandoval has emerged as one of Tijuana’s most visible advocates for animal welfare. Named Activist of the Year by San Diego Red, Sandoval has dedicated years to rescuing abandoned dogs and promoting a culture of responsibility and compassion toward animals, offering hundreds a chance at a dignified life.
Dogs remain among the most vulnerable victims of neglect and abandonment in the region, but Sandoval’s work stands as proof that sustained, community-driven action can make a difference. She believes meaningful change begins when people recognize their responsibility toward animals who cannot advocate for themselves.
Patitas Firmes: A Lifeline for Stray Dogs
Sandoval leads her efforts through Patitas Firmes (Firm Paws), a Tijuana-based nonprofit focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming street dogs. Since its founding, the organization has saved more than 1,000 animals. Sandoval, however, is quick to emphasize that the crisis persists and that the work is far from finished.
In a recent interview, she identified human behavior as the primary driver of Tijuana’s growing stray population. According to Sandoval, pet ownership must be understood as a long-term commitment, not a temporary responsibility. Animals, she says, require consistent care, attention, and respect as sentient beings.
For more than six years, Sandoval has balanced her rescue work with motherhood, leading initiatives that have improved the lives of more than 3,000 dogs to date.
Donations at a Critical Low
As the holiday season unfolds, Patitas Firmes is facing a serious challenge. Sandoval recently reported that donation centers were empty just days before Christmas, placing strain on both volunteers and the animals in their care.
“We visited the centers on December 23 and found them bare. It’s crushing and demoralizing,” she shared in a social media post.
While she does not place blame on the public, Sandoval warns that the lack of donations directly affects the organization’s ability to provide food, medical treatment, and basic care. Even without taking in new rescues, maintaining current shelter animals requires ongoing resources.
Her immediate goal is clear: ensure every dog has food, medical attention, and stability while waiting for adoption.
Sandoval is calling on the community to help through financial contributions or in-kind donations, including soft food and essential supplies, which can be delivered to designated collection centers in Tijuana.
“This isn’t about us, it’s about them,” she wrote. “Adopt, foster, or sponsor a shelter animal. Make a real commitment.”
How to Support Patitas Firmes
BBVA Bancomer Accounts:
• 4152 3140 9391 6008 (Bryan Aguilar)
• 4152 3142 5924 9095 (Tereza Martínez)
• 4152 3140 7855 5284 (Patricia Sandoval)
PayPal: aguilars.116@gmail.com
