Mexico City Court Upholds Decision: Rescued Animals from Franciscan Shelter to be Adopted
Mexico City, August 21, 2026 – The Ninth District Court in Administrative Matters of Mexico City has ratified that the Franciscan Shelter will not recover the dogs and cats rescued by the Mexico City government. This decision confirms that the sentient beings will continue their process to be put up for adoption, a move that has sparked protests from shelter volunteers.
This latest resolution follows judicial precedents from March 2026, when the Sixth District Court in Administrative Matters in Mexico City denied a definitive suspension requested by the Franciscan Shelter. The shelter had sought to prevent the capital government from giving up for adoption animals secured in January from a property in the Cuajimalpa borough.
Foundation Demands Transparency from SEDEMA
In a related development, the Antonio Haghenbeck y de la Lama Foundation, I.A.P., announced this Friday that it has included the Secretariat of Environment (SEDEMA) in an indirect ‘amparo’ lawsuit filed in the Ninth District Court in Civil Matters. The foundation alleges that SEDEMA has failed to provide information regarding the location, health status, housing conditions, and identification of the dogs and cats under its care.
As part of the indirect ‘amparo’ lawsuit 54/2026-IV, the foundation submitted an expanded claim, naming the capital’s Secretariat of Environment as a new responsible authority.
Court Orders Information Disclosure
The document details that, through an agreement on January 7, 2026, the Court granted an immediate suspension to guarantee the life, integrity, health, and well-being of the animals, as well as their permanent identification and location. It ordered that the government inform of the place where the animals were taken into custody by the Mexico City government.
Subsequently, in an agreement dated July 22, 2026, the Court required capital authorities to report, within three days, on the compliance with said suspension. However, in the compliance report of August 5, 2026, the Attorney General’s Office indicated that the containment, transfer, and custody of the animals were handled by the Animal Surveillance Brigade of the Secretariat of Citizen Security and SEDEMA.
The Ninth District Court has now requested SEDEMA’s justified report, including an inventory, location, housing conditions, veterinary reports, and identification records of the sentient beings under its care. This information is crucial to verify their full location and compliance with the ordered protection measures.
Accusations Against Environmental Officials
This expansion of the ‘amparo’ lawsuit adds to existing complaints filed against the Environmental and Territorial Planning Prosecutor, Mónica Vietnika Alegre González; the Deputy Environmental Prosecutor for Animal Protection and Welfare, Francisco Javier García Ramírez; and members of the PAOT Transparency Committee. These complaints allege abuse of functions, cover-up, and omission in the performance of their duties.
The volunteers of the Franciscan Shelter had protested in the Zócalo of Mexico City on August 19, 2026, requesting the return of the animals. However, the court’s decision solidifies the path towards their adoption, shifting the focus to ensuring their well-being and transparent management by the authorities.
