- Community Development ·
Animal Welfare: Managing Stray Cats and Dogs
Funding 50 street animal sterilisation operations each week to help fight the overcrowded street dog issue in Mexico
- Mexico
- hello@actionchange.org
Project Summary
Project Challenge
Project Solution
Impact
Reports
Project Summary
Like in many cities, stray dogs and cats, cruelty, abandonment & negligence are a common issue in Playa del Carmen. Proper education and awareness programs, as well as permanent low cost / free spay and neuter programs, are the main approaches this project takes in order to reduce the number of dogs and cats that roam the streets. Support animal welfare through the permanent sterilisation and education programmes that our partners carry out in Playa del Carmen.
Project Challenge
Around 70% of dogs in Mexico live on the street, either due to being born on the street or being abandoned. Even cats, who are naturally independent are suffering from neglect and numbers are increasing constantly With these animals being left unchecked they are free to breed and transmit diseases, affecting the health of the community and decreasing value in these areas.
Playa del Carmen is one of the fastest-growing cities in Latin America but this growth hasn’t been well organised and has resulted in a host of concerns. Among them is the amount of dogs and cats that roam the streets. Although some owners care for them, many lack money or transportation to access the resources necessary. Some neglect and abandon them in the street. Additionally, roaming animals suffer from preventable diseases and are left to scavenge and continue reproducing unchecked.
Project Solution
70% of all dogs in Mexico live on the street, which is why awareness is an important part of this project. Our partners who are working on bringing together community stakeholders to address the root causes of animal suffering in order to improve dog/cat care, prevent abandonment and support humane population control. Our partners are the region’s only spay and neuter clinic and it assists animals in Playa del Carmen & neighbouring communities.
Impact
During the five years our project has been running, we have spayed or neutered 18 500 dogs and cats. They have 2 permanent veterinarians and a permanent community support program. They are also committed to education which encourages responsible pet ownership and challenges negative perceptions of feral cats, sometimes resulting in cruelty. With your support, we will develop this model across Latin America.
Reports
Project Report | Mar 26, 2026
Update from puppy town Mexico!
By Lauren |Â Volunteer
In the vibrant communities of Mexico where we work, the sun is hot, the colors are bright, but the struggle for street animals is very real. Over the last three months, your support has allowed the Action Change team to continue our mission: proving that the most effective way to save animals is to prevent them from being born into a life of suffering in the first place.
The Power of the “Clinic Day”Our sterilization clinics are the heartbeat of this project. In many of the rural areas we visit, there is no resident veterinarian. Families love their pets but simply do not have the means or the access to prevent unwanted litters.
This quarter, we hosted several high-impact sterilization days. It’s an incredible sight: dozens of community members lining up early in the morning, holding their dogs on makeshift leashes or their cats in ventilated boxes.
The Result:Â By providing these surgeries for free or at a highly subsidized cost, we have prevented thousands of future street animals from being born into hunger and disease.
The “Side Effect”:Â Each surgery is also an opportunity for education. We talk to every owner about nutrition, basic flea and tick prevention, and why a sterilized pet is a healthier, happier companion.
While prevention is our long-term goal, our daily rescue work never stops. This quarter, we have taken in several “tough cases”—dogs and cats suffering from severe mange, malnutrition, and injuries from road accidents.
Seeing a dog transform from a terrified, hairless skeleton into a wagging, healthy friend is a miracle that only your donations make possible. Once these animals are healthy, our team works tirelessly to find them “Forever Homes,” both locally and through our international adoption networks.
Impact by the NumbersTo keep this project moving, we rely on a steady flow of supplies and logistics. Here is how your contributions have been put to work this quarter:
$25Â covers the full cost of a sterilization surgery and pain medication for one street dog.
£50 provides a “Rescue Kit” including vaccines, deworming, and high-quality food for a newly rescued puppy or kitten.
£150 funds our transport costs to reach remote villages that have zero access to veterinary care.
Our goal for the next three months is to expand our “Mobile Clinic” reach. We have a list of three new communities that have requested our help, but we need to ensure we have the surgical supplies and recovery meds ready to go.
We are also looking to upgrade our recovery area to ensure that every animal has a quiet, safe space to wake up from anesthesia before heading home.
Thank you for being the reason a child in Mexico can keep their best friend healthy, and the reason a street dog gets a second chance at life. We are changing the future for Mexico’s animals, one surgery at a time.
With gratitude and “muchas gracias,”
_________________________________________________
Paw-some Progress: Helping Street Pets Find Hope
By Claire |Â Volunteer November 2025 Update
Hola!!!
We just wanted to take a moment to share a little update on the past three months here in sunny Mexico—because you’ve made such a difference.
Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to keep pushing forward with our mission to care for the cats and dogs that need us most. It’s been a busy and beautiful few months, filled with moments that remind us why this work matters.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been able to do because of you:
152 animals were sterilized – that’s 84 cats and 68 dogs who are now healthier and won’t contribute to the overwhelming cycle of stray animals. These simple surgeries truly change lives.
Over 80 vet consultations – so many little ones came in with injuries, infections, or just not feeling their best. Thanks to you, they got the treatment and love they needed to feel safe again.
Emergency wound care and pain relief – we met several animals who were suffering quietly on the streets. We were able to step in, clean them up, and ease their pain. Watching them heal and bounce back is the best feeling in the world.
Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats – not the flashiest work, but one of the most important. Every cat we trap, treat, and return means fewer kittens born into unsafe conditions.
There are so many faces and stories behind these numbers—and every one of them is a reminder of the power of kindness.
What’s next?
We’re planning more free and low-cost clinics, more outreach to animals still living on the streets, and more support for local rescuers who are doing such important work in tough circumstances. There’s always more to do, but with your help, we’re making real, lasting change.
We honestly can’t thank you enough. Whether you’ve donated once or give every month, you’re part of this journey—and the animals feel it, even if they can’t say it themselves.
With all our thanks,
Our Amazing Pup Army Team in Mexico!
Like in many cities, stray dogs and cats, cruelty, abandonment & negligence are a common issue in Playa del Carmen. Proper education and awareness programs, as well as permanent low cost / free spay and neuter programs, are the main approaches this project takes in order to reduce the number of dogs and cats that roam the streets. Support animal welfare through the permanent sterilisation and education programmes that our partners carry out in Playa del Carmen.
Around 70% of dogs in Mexico live on the street, either due to being born on the street or being abandoned. Even cats, who are naturally independent are suffering from neglect and numbers are increasing constantly With these animals being left unchecked they are free to breed and transmit diseases, affecting the health of the community and decreasing value in these areas.
Playa del Carmen is one of the fastest-growing cities in Latin America but this growth hasn’t been well organised and has resulted in a host of concerns. Among them is the amount of dogs and cats that roam the streets. Although some owners care for them, many lack money or transportation to access the resources necessary. Some neglect and abandon them in the street. Additionally, roaming animals suffer from preventable diseases and are left to scavenge and continue reproducing unchecked.
70% of all dogs in Mexico live on the street, which is why awareness is an important part of this project. Our partners who are working on bringing together community stakeholders to address the root causes of animal suffering in order to improve dog/cat care, prevent abandonment and support humane population control. Our partners are the region’s only spay and neuter clinic and it assists animals in Playa del Carmen & neighbouring communities.
During the five years our project has been running, we have spayed or neutered 18 500 dogs and cats. They have 2 permanent veterinarians and a permanent community support program. They are also committed to education which encourages responsible pet ownership and challenges negative perceptions of feral cats, sometimes resulting in cruelty. With your support, we will develop this model across Latin America.
Project Report | Mar 26, 2026
Update from puppy town Mexico!
By Lauren |Â Volunteer
In the vibrant communities of Mexico where we work, the sun is hot, the colors are bright, but the struggle for street animals is very real. Over the last three months, your support has allowed the Action Change team to continue our mission: proving that the most effective way to save animals is to prevent them from being born into a life of suffering in the first place.
The Power of the “Clinic Day”Our sterilization clinics are the heartbeat of this project. In many of the rural areas we visit, there is no resident veterinarian. Families love their pets but simply do not have the means or the access to prevent unwanted litters.
This quarter, we hosted several high-impact sterilization days. It’s an incredible sight: dozens of community members lining up early in the morning, holding their dogs on makeshift leashes or their cats in ventilated boxes.
The Result:Â By providing these surgeries for free or at a highly subsidized cost, we have prevented thousands of future street animals from being born into hunger and disease.
The “Side Effect”:Â Each surgery is also an opportunity for education. We talk to every owner about nutrition, basic flea and tick prevention, and why a sterilized pet is a healthier, happier companion.
While prevention is our long-term goal, our daily rescue work never stops. This quarter, we have taken in several “tough cases”—dogs and cats suffering from severe mange, malnutrition, and injuries from road accidents.
Seeing a dog transform from a terrified, hairless skeleton into a wagging, healthy friend is a miracle that only your donations make possible. Once these animals are healthy, our team works tirelessly to find them “Forever Homes,” both locally and through our international adoption networks.
Impact by the NumbersTo keep this project moving, we rely on a steady flow of supplies and logistics. Here is how your contributions have been put to work this quarter:
$25Â covers the full cost of a sterilization surgery and pain medication for one street dog.
£50 provides a “Rescue Kit” including vaccines, deworming, and high-quality food for a newly rescued puppy or kitten.
£150 funds our transport costs to reach remote villages that have zero access to veterinary care.
Our goal for the next three months is to expand our “Mobile Clinic” reach. We have a list of three new communities that have requested our help, but we need to ensure we have the surgical supplies and recovery meds ready to go.
We are also looking to upgrade our recovery area to ensure that every animal has a quiet, safe space to wake up from anesthesia before heading home.
Thank you for being the reason a child in Mexico can keep their best friend healthy, and the reason a street dog gets a second chance at life. We are changing the future for Mexico’s animals, one surgery at a time.
With gratitude and “muchas gracias,”
_________________________________________________
Paw-some Progress: Helping Street Pets Find Hope
By Claire |Â Volunteer November 2025 Update
Hola!!!
We just wanted to take a moment to share a little update on the past three months here in sunny Mexico—because you’ve made such a difference.
Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to keep pushing forward with our mission to care for the cats and dogs that need us most. It’s been a busy and beautiful few months, filled with moments that remind us why this work matters.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been able to do because of you:
152 animals were sterilized – that’s 84 cats and 68 dogs who are now healthier and won’t contribute to the overwhelming cycle of stray animals. These simple surgeries truly change lives.
Over 80 vet consultations – so many little ones came in with injuries, infections, or just not feeling their best. Thanks to you, they got the treatment and love they needed to feel safe again.
Emergency wound care and pain relief – we met several animals who were suffering quietly on the streets. We were able to step in, clean them up, and ease their pain. Watching them heal and bounce back is the best feeling in the world.
Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats – not the flashiest work, but one of the most important. Every cat we trap, treat, and return means fewer kittens born into unsafe conditions.
There are so many faces and stories behind these numbers—and every one of them is a reminder of the power of kindness.
What’s next?
We’re planning more free and low-cost clinics, more outreach to animals still living on the streets, and more support for local rescuers who are doing such important work in tough circumstances. There’s always more to do, but with your help, we’re making real, lasting change.
We honestly can’t thank you enough. Whether you’ve donated once or give every month, you’re part of this journey—and the animals feel it, even if they can’t say it themselves.
With all our thanks,
Our Amazing Pup Army Team in Mexico!
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- Community Development ·