Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz has launched a 3-million-peso rehabilitation project for the city’s Animal Control Center, marking the facility’s first major upgrade in nearly a decade. The initiative reflects a renewed commitment to animal welfare and a significant shift in how the city approaches the care and treatment of animals.
The announcement was made during a ceremony that included the unveiling of a new sculpture symbolizing the city’s commitment to animal protection. Mayor Burgueño framed the project as a core promise of a humanist, sensitive, and empathetic government.
“Since the beginning of this administration, we have reaffirmed a change in vision that prioritizes the dignity and respect for animals consistent with the constitutional reforms promoted by Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, which recognize animals as sentient beings deserving special protection,” the mayor stated.
He also issued a stern warning, declaring zero tolerance for animal abuse in Tijuana and highlighting ongoing coordination with Baja California’s Special Prosecutor’s Office for Environmental Crimes and Crimes Against Animals.
The mayor also outlined a strategy that involves police, municipal judges, inspectors, and animal control staff undergoing training on new protocols to handle abuse cases more effectively and sensitively.
He added that, for the first time, a Municipal Advisory Council for the Protection of Domestic Animals has been established to guide policy with citizen input.
“I invite you all to continue joining forces to create a Tijuana that is more compassionate and respectful of all species, setting a standard in this field and reflecting our progress towards a better society,” Mayor Ismael Burgueño added.
The center will see the construction of a quarantine area, a biological waste incinerator, a new canine exercise yard, and modernized kennels for both dogs and cats. This comes after nine years without any improvements to the infrastructure.
Edith Viridiana Flores Flores, Municipal Director of Public Health, praised the mayor’s work, humanism, and leadership and thanked the support of Municipal Attorney Teresita Balderas and Government Secretary Arnulfo Guerrero for pushing this project forward.
She also reiterated that animal well-being is a priority for the Tijuana government, emphasized the importance of adoption, and stated that this recognizes the work carried out by animal protection associations.
Following the ceremony, which also served to honor local civil associations and animal protection groups for their ongoing work, the officials took a tour to assess the current conditions of the Animal Control Center and its remodeling project.
With these measures, the Tijuana government aims to set a new precedent for animal welfare, positioning the city as a leader in promoting public policies with a humanist vision to build a more supportive city that respects all forms of life.
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