Animal welfare precautions in Latin America

Animal welfare organizations and government agencies in Argentina and Mexico have issued alerts to protect cats and dogs from potential harm linked to Halloween and Day of the Dead superstitions. Concerns center on the risk of animals, particularly those with black or white fur, being targeted for ritualistic use or abuse.

In Argentina, reports of a black kitten found in a ritualistic setting in Cañuelas—surrounded by candles and red ribbons—prompted rescue efforts by the Patitas Rescatadas shelter. In Mexico, various measures have been implemented to mitigate these risks. The Dirección de Atención y Bienestar Animal (DABA) in Ciudad Juárez suspended all feline adoptions for October to prevent individuals from adopting kittens for ritualistic purposes, noting they currently hold 35 kittens in their care.

Additional preventive measures have expanded to cities such as San Juan del Río and Cancún, where authorities and rescue organizations have implemented temporary adoption suspensions. In Cancún, rescuers raised alarms following reports of several cats being found dead under suspicious circumstances. In Sinaloa, the Fundación Mayla has urged owners to keep cats, especially those with black or white fur, indoors and supervised to mitigate the risk of theft or harm.

To prevent animals from falling into the hands of individuals with harmful intentions, shelters are reinforcing adoption filters through stricter questionnaires and follow-up agreements. Advocacy groups have also called for increased surveillance of stray animals and urged citizens to report suspicious activity or unusual findings of deceased cats through dedicated channels.