For any animal lover who travels to or lives in Mexico, there are few sorer (is that a word?) subjects than the state of dogs in this country. Anyone who has driven around the countryside or spent any time in the cities has seen far too many starving and mangy dogs. But the whole dog situation here in Merida seems to be undergoing a change, slowly but surely.
There is an entire segment of Mexican society that treats its dogs the same way they are treated in the US or Europe. They are valued family pets, given their vaccinations, taken to the vet when they are sick, groomed regularly, etc.
The poorer Mexicans consider dogs a nuisance, an extra mouth to feed and often a dangerous animal to be avoided. And of course, because these dogs are starving and often sick, they can be dangerous and often should be avoided.
The disconnect here is that Mexicans in general do not approve of sterilizing their dogs (it’s a Catholic thing, we hear) and/or they can’t afford it. Vets seem to charge a lot of money to do it and are just now realizing that maybe it’s in everyone’s best interest if they lower the price.
Which brings me to AFAD. In Spanish, AFAD stands for Albergue Fransiscano del Animal Desprotegido. In English, that is Franciscan Shelter for Unprotected Animals. The woman who runs it is a woman named Lidia Saleh. She runs the shelter, which consists of a large plot of land which was donated to this cause. On the land is a two room house that Lidia is fixing up to eventually be a surgical station and a storage room. The dogs have recently-built covered cages with concrete floors. The shelter rescues dogs and cats from the streets and also takes dogs and cats whose owners no longer want them.
One of her rescues is a big Staffordshire Bull Terrier who had apparently been used for fighting. He still sports a few cuts that are healing, but his disposition is sweet and loving with humans. This picture shows him sitting on his new mat that we had just brought to him and thanking me in his own doggy way. Another one of AFAD’s rescues is a purebred Doberman who was given to her because he is 6 years old and his owner doesn’t want to have to deal with him getting old and dying. Obviously, he’s nowhere near death, but he’s also not acclimated to other dogs, so he has to stay in a pen by himself.
Most of the dogs are together in the main pen. Last time we were there, there were about 30 grown dogs, including beautiful golden labs, mutts, a dalmation and about 15 puppies. There were a few sick dogs that are being cared for and nursed back to health as well. The cats and kittens are in a separate location. What surprised us the most was how friendly, gentle and easygoing all these dogs are. We’ve gone into the main pen a few times now to meet and greet the dogs, and they all just want to be loved, petted and scratched behind the ears. There hasn’t been any fighting or growling and they all seem pretty happy.
The shelter is staffed full time with one person who works hard to keep it clean, and feeds the dogs as well as watches over the dogs being nursed back to health. Lidia busily promotes her dog shelter to the Spanish-speaking population so that Meridanos looking for a dog will come rescue one from the shelter instead of buying one in a store. She carefully checks out the new owners and their homes to be sure that each dog is going to a better place.
If you are interested in adopting a dog or a cat, please call AFAD and arrange to meet the dogs there. Or just drop by between the hours of 10 in the morning and 6 pm.
If you would like to volunteer, they would always like people to come and play with the dogs. And dogs like the Doberman need to be walked…a perfect job for a volunteer. If you are too busy to walk a dog, but you want to help, AFAD needs donations. Not just money, but things like dog and cat food, bones and chew toys, blankets and towels (to line the boxes that they sleep in so they can stay warm at night), medicines, shampoos, etc. They are also hoping to build more kennels, so any sort of construction materials are welcome donations as well.
It would also be a big help if an English-speaking person here in Merida would help Lidia with her fundraising efforts. Just running the shelter and improving it so that it can help more dogs is heart-breaking and back-breaking work. Lidia also needs to organize dinners and other fundraisers to raise the money. If you are interested in donating money to the organization, please do so through the Paypal donation button at the end of this article.
For more information, check AFAD’s website. Or you can email Lidia at lidia_Saleh [at] hotmail [dot] com or call the shelter at 999-920-5019 or call Lidia on her cel phone at 044 999 947 6319. If you ask, Lidia can send you a full list of the medicines, supplies and other things that the shelter would like donated. *Anything* is appreciated and will be put to good use. So don’t throw old towels, moving blankets or throw rugs away if they get ruined. Wash them as best you can and donate them to AFAD.
If you want to drop by, you will find the shelter on the road to Cholul, just past the Periferico, on the left across from the University Modelo. Just look for this sign. For more information on AFAD, please read their website here (in both Spanish and English). About halfway down the page, there is a list of items that you can donate that would be greatly appreciated.
The animals thank you in advance for your time, attention and kind consideration.
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If you wish to donate money to AFAD, you may do so by clicking the Paypal button below. Please make a note with your payment that your donation if for AFAD. The money will go into our account and you will have to trust us that we’ll give it to the animals. We will… you have our word!
Lidia and AFAD are not the only one taking on the issue of caring for the “unprotected animals” in the Yucatan, but they are the most established group in Merida. Other organizations that are helping animals in the Yucatan include:
- Yucatan Animal Rescue
- NACER, Network for Animal Care
- VIDAS - Vets for Animal Health
- Dog Clinic in Patzcuaro, Morelia
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Here’s an update on the AFAD organization. Lidia recently explained to us that one of the most difficult things to overcome is the racism that locals have towards “street dogs” or “Mexican dogs”. You know these dogs…they are short-haired, floppy-eared, dark-nosed and light-coated dogs, usually with long legs and big chests. They are the original DOG and the locals call them “indios” and often don’t want to adopt one of these dogs. They want dogs they can show off.
As the proud owners of two Mexican street dogs, URL and Mali, we can attest to the sweet nature of these dogs. They make great pets… all it takes is a little food and a lot of love. We are often stopped on the street and asked “Que raza es?” (What race is it?) when referring to our dogs. Most locals are surprised to hear that we found them both on the street, but I remind them that this is what dogs can look like if you feed them and love them.
If you are a dog lover, and coming to the Yucatan and want to help, consider asking your vet for any unused medicine for dogs. They also could use some human medicines like Flagyl, Amoxicilin, Keflex, Peptobismol, and childrens vitamins. The list of other things that are needed include Selsun Azul shampoo, Pediasure or Ensure, Cotton, Alchohol, surgical gloves, iodine, flea and tick collars. They could always use towels, sheets, dog beds of any kind, toys, balls, leashes, brushes and pet carriers. For use in maintaining the facility, donations of clorox, brooms, newspapers, boxes and garbage bags are also always appreciated. They are trying to finish roofs for the pens where they keep the dogs so that they can keep the rain out during the rainy season (and in hurricanes). For this, any donations of gravel, cement, cement blocks, paint or trees and plants of any kind are also much appreciated.
If you cannot donate things, donating your time is always appreciated. The puppies need people to play with so that they become acclimated to people. And the big dogs just need love and attention. All the dogs in the facility are vaccinated and safe to play with.
If you are coming to the Yucatan and want to bring donations, contact us here at Yucatan Living (just leave a comment) and we’ll arrange a place for you to drop off your donations here in the Centro.
Woof! Woof! The dogs thank you!
Dear working Gringa,
How wonderful it is to hear of someone who loves dogs and cats as much as I do. You hear horror stories about Mexico all the time. I have heard my share. When ANYONE hears I am moving there they can not wait to tell me how there 5th cousins, best friends, sisters,mother-in-law was attacked by a street dog. She had to climb a street poll to escape. In her opinion all these dogs, and the owners, should be thrown off a cliff. I have been working with dogs for 35 years. I have a knowledge of the animal. 99.9% of dogs just want love. (just like children) I look forward to getting moved in February 2007, getting settled and pitching in with Silvia in helping in anyway I can. We truely enjoy reading your articles and watching your vidios about “home”. Thank-you for what you are doing.
BenandSharon
[…] If you don’t know about AFAD, read our article about the dog shelter run by this group. […]
I live in the Lake Chapala area, outside Guadalajara, and with many foreigners here there are at least three shelters and many happy stories, though far too many sad ones too.
Here’s a link to a page where I talk about some Mexican street dogs I met, at the bottom of the page:
http://www.mexico-with-heart.com/book/06-el-tajin2.html
Don’t forget Progreso. There is a very active Protective Animal Welfare organization there - and they always need help too. For information call: Dra. Beatrice Carajal Garcia
Calle 29 # 98B between 66 & 68
Tel:935 07 75
(such a good vet - can’t say enough nice things about Beatrice and her husband!)
thanx for kindness
jurgen
[…] Lidia and a very tiny staff work very hard to provide the dogs (mostly) and cats (some) that they rescue with the best care. They are always in need of donations in money, food, medicine, blankets, towels, leashes, toys… you name it. […]
You guys should set up a pay pal account so people can send you donations through there. =)
Good idea…and it’s done! The button for donations is at the bottom of the article. Let’s hope we can get some money for this deserving group…
Hello:
My website is almost done (took too long), I would like to tell me wich link I can have it it to link all the people that visits my site to AFAD in Merida.
Jessica
Hola, Jessica!
Have your website link to this page:
http://www.yucatanliving.com/afad/
HELLO:
CHECK THIS LINK, I SUSCRIBED AFAD IN THIS SITE FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS IN THE WORLD. CAN YOU DONATE BY PAYPAL? I AM MISSING THAT, I CAN ADD IT LATER.
JESSICA
i like this page very well, cause i love dogs if you have any intresting information about dogs please tell me, but i’m still in the age of 11. i have a friend he also like dogs. his name is Axel.
Regards,
Luvian
Hello:
Please check this website, you will find your banner at the end of the pages.
www.hammockheritage.com
Right now I am having problems getting the messages from the website, but I am working on it.
Thanks
Jessica
Ode to Francisco– I was just in Valladolid where my family and I met up with a stray Mexican dog that if I had known there was rescue available for him, I would have brought him there. This dog was probably a couple years old and very thin. One evening my daughter patted his head and said a few kind words. The next night we were back in the central square and he found her and obviously remembered her. He then stayed with us and trotted with a spring in his step right next to us all the way back to the place we were staying. It was a distance. I didn’t time it but it had to be at least 15 minutes, maybe more. We came upon other dogs along the way which he would check out. A couple times I thought we had lost him to the other dogs, but a short time later he would be right back with us, trotting along his thin body and still with a spring in his step. My daughter named him Francisco. At the door where we were staying, I did touch his head briefly, then said stay and we went in. The next morning, a couple staying at the same place as us said they saw a dog curled up at the door when they came in the night before. Francisco was waiting for us, but he was not there when we left around 10am. Francisco owned us, I wanted to own him. We left the next day (Nov.13th) and never saw him again. I wish I could transport him to the 10 acres we own in the country. He would be in doggy heaven. As you can tell, I love dogs and I could see this dogs spirit was wonderful. In Francisco’s name, I will be making a donation here to AFAD. And, if anyone sees Francisco, please let me know. Cindy
Hi,
My name is Stephanie and I’m so excited to see people with such big hearts helping the dogs and cats here in Merida. I’m from Washington state but have been living here in Merida for over two years now. The animals plight here has been an ongoing burden … especially feeling like there was nothing that I could do. We’ve given a home to one kitten a family couldn’t care for anymore and our second cat came to us off the street. My husband and I both want a dog now though too and I at first was thinking of bringing my Jack Russel down to live with us … but when I realized how, even though small, the difference of giving one life a loving home (plus my dog Banjo is very happy with my parents in the states … it was mainly me that missed him) my husband and I decided adopting a friend from here would be the best. I’ll let you know how our story turns out. God bless every person who changes even just one of these dogs/cats lives. I hope more people jump on board.
I was in in Mexico last year visting and am returning in late May this year, staying in Merida. I can remember driving through the countryside on the way out to Coba and my heart just broke seeing all the strays walking around. Is it ok to feed these poor dogs as a tourist? Will the locals be upset at this? I am making a donation to the AFAD as well but am concerned about the possibility of mange and other contagious diseases these animals carry. Is it the perception of dogs in the area that makes them homeless?
It breaks our hearts daily, believe me. And it is one of the reasons we promote AFAD so much. Yes, it is okay to feed these dogs, but do be careful. If they look mean or scared, don’t approach them. Just leave something for them or throw it to them. Many of the street dogs are amazingly kind and sweet, which never ceases to amaze us.
There are many many reasons that there are so many homeless dogs here. One, they may not be homeless, just wandering around because their owners don’t care for them. And who is to say which is better: wandering the streets or cooped up in a dark garage or small patio all day and night? Sometimes dogs are mistreated because people are poor. They just don’t have enough to feed them or take care of them, but they like or need them around for protection. This is true in many pueblos around the Yucatan. Or sometimes because they don’t think they can feel anything. There is a lot of education that needs to happen here.
There are many people and organizations trying to improve things in the Yucatan. We are going to be writing a letter and taking up a petition to ask the State to enforce their animal protection laws soon. We think that if the State knew how disturbed tourists and expat residents were by the state of dogs and other animals here, they might be more willing to do something. Right now, they often turn away and ignore unsavory behavior towards animals. So stay tuned, there will be more you can do soon!
I don’t do the normal (today) financial things; credit cards, pay pal, etc. How could I make a donations?
If you are in Merida, you can always come to the Yucatan Living or the AFAD location and give cash. If you are NOT in Merida, you can arrange to deliver money through Western Union.
If you are coming here from the States, you can bring things for the dog shelter: old towels and rugs, veterinary medicine, soaps, etc. See AFAD’s website for lists of things they need: www.afad.org.mx
If you want to do that, contact us at info@yucatanliving.com and we’ll go from there.
I went to Cabo San Lucas this summer, we rented a car and explored the areas outside of Cabo. Even though we traveled to some beautiful places, we learned that there is another side to Mexico. In contrast to the beautiful beaches and cool summer nights, we saw many starving, disease ridden dogs and cats scrounging in parking lots and even on the side of highways. I saw a dead burro on the side of the road and one tide to a tree with no food, water or shade in sight. I hate to think how many of these animals are wandering around, dying of hunger and diseases.
But there was a ray of hope for these animals. When Bill and I went to a jazz/reggae festival at a beach club in Los Santos, we met two retired people who were trying to adopt out five fat, cute puppies who were found on the side of a highway starving to death. These wonderful people who were from the states and who are spending their retirement years in Los Santos to help these animals were caretakers at El Refugio which is dedicated to rescuing homeless, sick, starving, or abused dogs, cats and horses in the towns of Todos Santos and Pescadero. This organization will pay for medical care and feeding of these animals until they are adopted.
These people have taken on a huge responsibility and really need lots of help to continue their efforts. Right now, due to the failing health of the owners of the ranch, they will need to sell it. However, if there is lots of support, I’m sure their efforts would continue. Therefore, I’m asking you to please check out their website and consider making a contribution, or helping in some other way.
With lots of love and blessings,
Aimee
I tried to donate but it would not allow me on your website stating something could not be decrypted???
Well, we aren’t sure why that button stopped working, but we fixed it. Please donate for the dogs of Mexico… a little goes a very long way! Thank you!!