Oaxaca’s Animal Activists by Sandra Kirkland for OLL Newsletter 2009

Oaxaca’s Animal Activists   by Sandra Kirkland for OLL Newsletter  2009

"The protection of animals is an essential part of morality and culture of civilized peoples." - Benito

Juarez

When I first moved to Oaxaca in July of 2007, I was appalled by the living conditions of its animals. There were hundreds of injured, starving and sick dogs and cats wandering around its streets. All of a sudden, they disappeared. This was puzzling. Then I found out that they were being rounded up and exterminated by the Antirrabico (Mexico’s version of dogcatcher). This was very upsetting.

Fortunately, Oaxaca and its animals have several organized groups of animal activists committed to working together to achieve their goals of humane treatment of Oaxaca's animals, including  education about proper care and training of animals and providing free and low cost sterilization of all cats and dogs.

My good friend Hilda Toledo Salinas, from whom I adopted two wonderful rescued dogs, is one of those activists. She began her work in animal rescue and protection, Activistas de Proteccion Animal,

in 2004 after retiring from teaching. In July of 2008, she attended an international forum of animal

protection organizations to learn how to be more effective in the fight for humane treatment of animals.

She and Oaxaca's other animal activists have come a long way. Just this year, they have staged three demonstrations, each with more than 400 participants and their pets, to raise public awareness about the local government's handling of the animal overpopulation problem.  According to Hilda and other local activists, the government “needs to abandon its present policies and practices, such as the CATCH-MATANZA (Catch and Kill).”

To replace current practices at the Antirrabico, they have proposed the Program of Urban Animal Care Center for dogs and cats which would provide free or reduced rates for sterilization, medical care including vaccination, and public education about the correct care and training of animals. If Oaxaca would adopt these proposals, it would benefit all its citizens.

For more information, visit http://apaoax.itgo.com.