The Tijuana City Hall led by Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz aims to transform Tijuana into an animal-friendly city. As a result, the old Municipal Animal Control center is being restructured into the new Sub-Directorate for the Protection and Welfare of Animals as Sentient Beings to promote pet rescue and adoption.
“Mayor Ismael Burgueño has been emphatic that we support this cause to make Tijuana a city that advocates for animals. Historically, budgets have now been approved that we never could have imagined to improve conditions, infrastructure, and human capital, and to address a cause that citizens have long demanded,” said Edith Viridiana Flores Flores, head of the Directorate of Public Health, Welfare, and Support for Public Safety.
The city’s main shelter currently cares for 156 dogs and 15 cats, all of which have been rehabilitated, vaccinated, and sterilized. The adoption program leverages partnerships with civil associations, educational institutions, and the medical sector to foster a community-wide culture of respect for animals.
The facility has already seen tangible results, reporting 75 sterilizations, 120 anti-parasite treatments, and four successful adoptions in October alone.
Prospective adopters can visit the Animal Control Center on Insurgentes Boulevard from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The required process involves presenting an official ID, proof of address, a photo of the pet’s future home, and a $147-peso recovery fee.
Flores Flores credited the “TJ Voluntariado” group as a key partner, whose community engagement and awareness efforts have set an example for other municipalities.
In a final appeal to the public, Flores Flores added, “Let’s give our animals a second chance and be part of the change to build a more empathetic society. In Tijuana, recognizing animals as sentient beings is the responsibility of every one of us.”
