MERIDA, MEXICO — In response to the increasing intensity of tropical weather phenomena affecting Mexico’s coasts, the organization Humane World for Animals, formerly known as Humane Society International Mexico, is promoting animal-related prevention and preparedness measures, in coordination with authorities, local organizations, and communities in the state of Yucatán. According to the forecast from the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) for the current season, between 16 and 20 tropical cyclones are expected in the Pacific Ocean and between 13 and 17 in the Atlantic Ocean, with at least three of them projected to reach category 3 or higher.
“We see great interest from Yucatán authorities in preparing for hurricane season, particularly with respect to the inclusion of animals in emergency plans,” said Felipe Márquez Muñoz, program manager, Latin America Disaster Response at Humane World for Animals.
In the city of Mérida, under the auspices of the Environmental and Animal Welfare Unit of the City Council, Humane World for Animals participated in a two-day workshop for Civil Protection officials, departments, and other government entities, aimed at strengthening local capacityin the event of a hurricane.
“These were very intensive trainings, covering topics such as the implementation of temporary shelters, emergency veterinary clinics, prevention of dog attacks, among others. With these, we ensure that the authorities responsible for activating and implementing emergency plans have the necessary tools to include animals,” Márquez Muñoz added.
The workshop concluded with a drill in the facilities of the “Centro de Desarrollo Integral San Jose Tecoh Sur”,which will be considered as a cohabited temporary shelter in case of a disaster, meaning it would have the capacity to receive both people and companion animals. During the exercise, the community and authorities worked through three animal-related scenarios: a stressed dog and cat, a dog hit by a car and with a fracture, and two dogs fighting.
As part of the program, participants visited four locations in the Municipality of Mérida with the aim of evaluating their potential to be used for cohabited temporary shelters.
Together, the drill and the workshops served to create good synergies and strengthen collaboration between the State of Yucatán and the Municipality of Mérida in preparation for natural phenomena that may adversely affect the peninsula, its citizens and its animals, in the future.
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