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The Humane Society of Cabo San Lucas, A.C. is a group of men and women, both foreign and national, dedicated to the humane treatment of the domestic animals in Cabo San Lucas. Their goal is to create an environment free of the unwanted, stray, and diseased animals that are left to wander our streets. Many of these animals are simply abandoned as families move to other cities. The Humane Society of Cabo San Lucas is focused toward the end result of all domestic animals in Cabo San Lucas having a safe and loving home. Along with this goal come many side benefits, such as streets safe to walk at night without encountering packs of roaming dogs and above all streets free of contamination creating a cleaner more sanitary environment for everyone be they two legged or four legged.

Initial attempts to form a Humane Society in Cabo San Lucas began as early as 1989. The usual problems any organization faces during it’s infancy caused the Humane Society to be an on again off again project until June of 1995 when it was finally able to get on it’s feet and begin to walk and then run.

One of the first things that started to make a difference was to hold monthly roundup campaigns. These are sweeps through the neighborhoods to pick up the diseased, unwanted and stray animals. Through radio and newspaper announcements the populace is alerted as to when the campaigns will be held, and they are encouraged to call ahead to notify the Humane Society of any animals that need to picked up in their colonia. The cooperation of the local citizenry is over-whelming. All possible attempts are made to relocate the unwanted well animals. Many sick dogs that are otherwise considered adoptable are nursed back to health and then placed in a new home

Until recently there was no shelter available to house the animals until they were adopted. Care was done by foster homes. Even today there is a need for foster home volunteers to care for animals with special needs.

Fund raising is always a problem with any organization. Planning and holding a fund-raiser takes a lot of time and effort. The Humane Society had very little money and the need was great. Dedicated volunteers worked hard and in the beginning you could see the Humane Society doing something every month. Fashion shows, dinners, bazaars, and the annual Perrorama. They were at Splash selling chili, at the DIF Christmas bazaar with cookies and ornaments, outside of Aramburo’s Super Plaza with kittens for adoption. You could not get away from the Humane Society.

Little by little the treasury grew. Donations were mailed from tourists who had noticed such a remarkable change in the downtown areas where they used to see so many stray dogs. It finally paid off. Construction of a shelter was started in June of 1997.

Through the generous gift of land from the of family Victor Hugo Cesena Diaz, the long awaited dream began to take shape. Using a local contractor and building Baja style a shelter emerged. Every available peso not earmarked for monthly operating expenses goes into updating and improving the shelter. Presently the shelter consists of 12 double size runs for dogs, a cattery, housing for the caretaker, and an office building which also houses a lending library.

Ongoing projects at the shelter include finishing the bodega, a puppy containment area, isolation area for sick animals and an addition to the building to house a Thrift Shop.

Members of the Humane Society feel that the Thrift Shop will help to defray the monthly expenses. Every month money is needed to buy pet food, medicine, soap and all sorts of cleaning supplies. (You will see how well cleaning materials are used when you visit the shelter).

However, none of the above would be even possible without the unparalleled support and hard work of Dr. Cesar Tapia. Since Dr. Tapia came to the aid of the Humane Society there has been steady forward progress. Dr. Tapia has shown the volunteers the direction they needed to go to achieve their goals. All of Cabo San Lucas should be grateful for this dedication.

This is where the Humane Society is today but there is much to be done. There are plans to start an education program in the schools on the care and treatment of pets. More literature is needed to be able to inform the public of needs and future plans as well as giving them information and tips on care. As stated before, a lot of dog and cat food, medicines and treatments for the animals and cleaning supplies are needed. Feeding dishes get rough treatment and need to be replaced. Bedding for the residents of the shelter (four legged) is needed. All of this takes money. The aim is to establish a system of monthly donations sufficient to support the ongoing expenses. Thus leaving special events to raise money to further improve the shelter. At this point only one half of the available land has been developed for use.

 Everyone can help. Volunteers are desperately needed to man the office on a regular basis so that adoptions can take place any and every day not just on a once a month Adoption Sunday. When the Thrift Shop is completed there will be a need for volunteers there. If time is in short supply, you can help with a donation of any size. Hopefully, you would like to donate some sum every month enabling the Humane Society to continue to improve the environment for everyone in Cabo San Lucas.

Contact Information

Telephones:

Shelter 044 (624) 170-5506 (No English)

Beth Schoell - Director (624) 143-5016

Judith Ubaldi - Treasurer - (624) 143-3947

U.S. access code is: 011 52

Mailing Address:

Apartado 198 - Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. - CP23410 Mexico

Cabo San Lucas Villas