Mexico City Mobile Dog and Cat Clinic

Problems with pet overpopulation -- usually related to ecological and public health concerns -- are a major issue in many Latin American cities.
In Mexico City, there are an estimated 3.5 million dogs, two-thirds of them strays. Lack of animal welfare education, proper legislation, effective enforcement of existing laws, and veterinary care in disadvantaged and marginal areas all contribute to this severe pet overpopulation problem.

Most of the groups that have done work in the area of pet overpopulation have been small NGOs or groups based at public universities. So far, the possibility of having a major impact on the problem, rather than a short-term benefit for a few individuals, has been very limited. The Veterinary School at the University of Mexico (UNAM) received a mobile clinic for spaying and neutering dogs in Mexico City. Its work is concentrated in a few areas in Mexico City. Clearly, the mobile clinic had not yet been used to its full potential. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in April 2002 between IFAW and the Veterinary School at UNAM. Through this MOU, IFAW supported the services given by UNAM’s Mobile Clinic in Mexico City. The project has been very successful; both the authorities and the public have been enthusiastic and participative. The Mobile Clinic staff worked from Monday to Friday in the most underprivileged areas of Mexico City. During a nine month period, a total of 7,238 animal patients were treated. Of these, 801 animals were spayed or neutered, 2,666 dogs received parasitic treatment, 3,545 animals were vaccinated, and 226 dogs and cats were treated for various clinical problems.