There are an estimated 22 Million dogs in Mexico and about 70% of them live in the streets, placing Mexico at first place with the highest number of street dogs in Latin America.

Why so many street dogs?

The answer is multifaceted but it boils down to irresponsible owners that don’t neuter and/or abandon their pets and ignorant or indolent authorities that don’t implement effective programs.

Un-neutered female dogs are in heat twice per year and can give birth every six months to an average of seven puppies, depending on their size and breed. One female can produce in average 14 puppies per year. Although many puppies do not survive long enough to reach reproductive age, enough of them do, creating an unending supply of dogs that will most likely live a life of neglect and suffering.

To make matters worse, some people think that puppies make for great presents and give them out on special occasions. After holidays like Christmas or “Reyes”, thousands of dogs find their way to rescues, shelters or the streets.

What can be done?

The answer is both simple and hard. Neutering dogs is the best way to humanely control companion animal populations. Mexico has been using eradication programs for years without success. About 10 thousand dogs are killed every month in “Perreras” in Mexico City alone.

Spay and neuter programs are the only real solution, but for them to work people, including authorities, need to be educated and programs have to be accessible and ongoing.

Large volume spay and neuter clinics and free / low-cost programs play a crucial role in places like Mexico where the cost of neutering a pet can be as much as weeks wages for some families.

What can I do?.

The first step is to be a responsible owner and neutering your pets.

You can help educate family and friends in the benefits of neutering companion animals.

If you want to add a dog to your family, adopt from shelters and rescues instead of buying from a store.

Support organizations that offer low cost or free spay and neuter services in low income communities.

Reach out to local authorities and ask them to implement humane programs to control street dog populations.

But most important of all, do something… anything. Ven problems that seem unsurmountable can be solved if we get together and act.