Ciudad Juarez Introduces Comprehensive Animal Welfare Regulation Project
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico – On March 10, 2026, a significant step towards enhancing animal protection was taken in Ciudad Juarez with the official presentation of the new Animal Welfare Regulation project for the municipality. The initiative, spearheaded by Alma Edith Arredondo Salinas, head of the Directorate of Animal Care and Welfare (DABA), and Cinthia Jiménez, the department’s legal coordinator, alongside Councilwoman Laura Fernanda Avalos Medina, marks a pivotal moment for animal rights in the region.
A Legacy for Animal Rights
Arredondo Salinas emphasized the regulation’s crucial role as a tool for DABA, highlighting its potential to recognize and uphold animal rights while penalizing those who inflict harm. “We see this as a legacy that our Municipal President, Cruz Pérez Cuellar, would leave behind, as he has been committed to animal welfare since his first term,” stated Arredondo Salinas. She added that the document’s legal and technical analysis ensures its robustness and effectiveness.
The regulation’s development involved extensive analysis by the Secretary of the City Council and draws upon state laws empowering municipalities to address animal welfare. This comprehensive approach ensures the project is well-grounded in existing legal frameworks and tailored to the specific needs of Ciudad Juarez.
Community Involvement and Collaboration
Following its public release, the project will invite active participation from citizens and animal welfare collectives. This inclusive approach aims to strengthen the regulation further by incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise from those most invested in animal protection.
“This regulation is designed to reinforce the work carried out by DABA, in addition to facilitating joint action with Civic Justice to respond more quickly to cases of animal abuse,” the official noted, underscoring the collaborative enforcement mechanism the new regulation seeks to establish.
A Year of Dedicated Work
Councilwoman Fernanda Avalos highlighted that the project is the culmination of a year’s dedicated effort, involving close collaboration with DABA’s leadership and legal representatives. “Throughout this journey, we have listened in meetings, training sessions, and forums to different actors involved in the matter, such as activists, rescuers, specialists in animal law, as well as veterinary doctors, which was fundamental to strengthening the regulation,” Avalos explained.
The project will now be forwarded to the council members of the Joint Governance and Ecology Commission for their review. This stage will also welcome input from interested citizens, animal welfare advocates, rescuers, and academics, ensuring a broad spectrum of contributions and observations are considered before its final adoption.
Strengthening Enforcement and Protection
The proposed regulation is expected to significantly enhance DABA’s ability to act decisively against animal mistreatment. By streamlining processes and fostering cooperation with Civic Justice, the municipality aims to create a more responsive and effective system for addressing animal abuse cases. This proactive stance reflects a growing commitment within Ciudad Juarez to ensure a safer and more humane environment for all animals.
The formal presentation of this regulation project marks a critical juncture in the ongoing efforts to protect animal rights in Ciudad Juarez, promising a future where animal welfare is not only recognized but actively enforced.
