Raising Responsible Pet Owners & Citizens In communities across Mexico, pets are far more than animals living in a yard—they are companions, guardians, and integral family members. However, many communities face ongoing challenges regarding street animal overpopulation, preventable pet diseases, and tick-borne health risks. Teaching young Mexican children how to properly care for pets is…
Rickettsia—specifically Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), which is the primary rickettsial disease in northwestern Mexico—is a severe public health concern in Sonora. The state frequently leads the country in both total infections and fatality rates. The statistics vary slightly year-by-year depending on weather, humidity, and local tick populations, but recent data outlines the following annual…
Bringing a pet from Mexico into the U.S. involves specific federal requirements that were significantly updated in late 2024 and 2025. While Mexico is considered a low-risk country for dog rabies, a new screwworm alert has added a specific requirement for all dogs entering from Mexico as of late 2024. The following reflects the requirements…
The Hidden Population: Understanding the Stray Crisis in Guaymas, MX If you’ve ever walked the vibrant streets of Guaymas or watched the sunset over the marinas of San Carlos, you’ve likely encountered them: the “streeties.” With soulful eyes and wagging tails—or sometimes a cautious, limping gait—these dogs and cats are as much a part of…
Laws concerning stray (street) animals in Mexico have shifted away from “capture and euthanize” policies toward a model of coexistence and community care. As of early 2026, the legal framework differentiates between “abandoned” animals and “community” animals. 1. Recognition of “Community Animals” (2025) A major shift occurred in 2025, starting in Mexico City and spreading…
DOGS: When you spay or neuter a single stray dog, the number of “future dogs” avoided is staggering because the impact is exponential. You aren’t just stopping one litter; you are stopping the generations of puppies those puppies would have produced. According to data often cited by the ASPCA, the ripple effect looks like this:…
Bringing pets from Mexico into the United States in 2026 involves navigating strict regulations that were significantly updated by the CDC in late 2024. While the process for cats remains relatively simple, the requirements for dogs are now much more rigorous to prevent the reintroduction of rabies. The following guidelines apply to pets traveling by…
Season by season: how street animals behave in San Carlos
Mosquitoes can be a real problem for dogs, mainly because of disease transmission, not just itchy bites. In Sonora, mosquitoes are definitely something to take seriously for both dogs and cats, especially near the coast (Guaymas/San Carlos, rivers, irrigation, water leaks, etc.). 1. How big is the risk in Sonora? Bottom line: Sonora—especially the coastal…
A U.S. citizen can usually deduct donations to a U.S.-registered nonprofit (501(c)(3)), even if that organization does most or all of its charitable work in Mexico — as long as: Suppose: That donation is fully deductible on your U.S. tax return, subject to normal IRS limits (typically up to 60% of AGI for cash gifts),…