Mexican legislators propose new animal welfare protections

Legislators in the Mexican states of San Luis Potosí and Querétaro are advancing initiatives to improve animal welfare and protection.

In San Luis Potosí, Deputy Dulcelina Sánchez de Lira has proposed an initiative to harmonize the state's Animal Protection Law with the Organic Law of the Free Municipality. The proposal aims to mandate the creation of Animal Recovery Centers and shelters across all municipalities. The initiative seeks to address current gaps where municipal structures lack the explicit authority or permanent budget to manage vaccination, sterilization, rehabilitation, and adoption programs for abandoned animals.

In Querétaro, Deputy Enrique Correa Sada successfully passed an initiative to declare July 21 as Dog Welfare Day. The measure is intended to promote permanent awareness regarding responsible pet ownership, sterilization, and adoption. Correa Sada noted that according to 2025 INEGI data, approximately 41.2 million dogs live in Mexico, with an estimated 70% living in street or abandoned conditions.