Mexico ranks first in Latin America for the largest number of stray dogs, with nearly 500,000 who are abandoned each year. They can produce millions of unwanted animals throughout the country, who are then left to struggle to survive after being born on the streets. Sterilizations and vaccinations aren’t widely affordable, therefore any efforts for sterilization, adoption and or long-term care are vital to ending homelessness.

Hundreds of dogs, many of them homeless, roam the streets of Agua Prieta. These animals are exposed to the extreme weather, hunger, thirst, abuse, disease and injury or death from motorists. Those that are ill suffer greatly. With limited animal shelters to provide respite, countless dogs are captured by the city’s animal control personnel and put to a painful death by execution.

Rancho Feliz established the Mexico Mutts Program to reduce the suffering of homeless, neglected, and abused dogs through spay/neuter, rescue and adoption, and public education. The program’s primary focus is helping to fund two non-kill shelters and sterilization clinics in Agua Prieta, where services are provided at affordable cost and or free of charge. 

Rancho Feliz’s strategy has been to partner with existing animal rescue groups to reduce the suffering of dogs and cats. This goal is being realized through spay/neuter, rescue, foster and adoption and public education. Currently the program’s primary focus is supporting two shelter/sanctuaries that care for 200 dogs and provides basic veterinary care. One shelter also handles emergency cases of street dogs, such as injury, illness and abuse.