Evolucion Animal A.C. – A Sanctuary for Stray Dogs in Merida

At AvenueDogs.com we promote pet adoption over pet shopping or breeding. In this series, we’re taking a closer look at dog rescues and organizations in Mexico that are helping get dogs off the streets and into forever homes. Many of these non-profits are doing some pretty amazing things with minimal shoe-string budgets.

Today we’re going to feature a rescue that offers sanctuary and support to animals in and around Merida, Mexico – Evolucion Animal A.C.:

When you donate to a foster or rescue in Mexico, your dollar goes further. If you’d like to donate your time or money to Evolucion Animal A.C., you can contact them directly via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp – English is spoken on both. We’ll leave that information below;

Evolucion Animal A.C. is a shelter for abused and abandoned dogs found in and around the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Evolucion is not just a shelter, it is a sanctuary for abused and mistreated dogs. It is a home for “malix pek” who have difficulty being adopted simply because they are stray dogs and are not purebred. In Evolution, those dogs have a home.

We got a chance to talk to Jane Clarkson, a Volunteer and Co-ordinator of the Evolucion Animal A.C. Dogs to Canada Program. 

Avenue Dogs (AD): Hi Jane! Can You Give Us A Quick Rundown of What Your Organization Does?

Jane: We run a shelter for abandoned, mistreated and stray dogs and cats from Merida and the surrounding areas. We currently care for almost 700 animals. We exist 100% on private donations – we receive absolutely no funding from any level of Mexican Government – and operate on a shoe-string budget.

We also seek to educate the populace on responsible pet tenancy, including spay and neuter, by visiting schools and running several free spay and neuter clinics at the shelter or in the surrounding areas a few times a year (or when we have sufficient funding to do so).

We have also been a major source of input into the State’s animal welfare legislation and continue to advocate for all types of animals of Yucatan on a daily basis. 

AD: How Can People Help/Donate to Evolucion Animal A.C.?

Jane: We are always looking for volunteers to help clean, feed and water the animals on a daily basis, particularly on Sundays when it is our staff’s day of rest. We also always gratefully accept in-kind donations of dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, kitty litter, etc., and, since we run 100% on private donations, any cash donations are extremely appreciated.

We are also looking for volunteers who have an interest in promoting local adoptions by taking photos, drawing up bios and using our social media channels and website, to advertise our adoptable animals. We also regularly require volunteer assistance at local events to which we have been invited.

AD: Do You Have Any Advice for People Wanting to Adopt Dogs in Mexico?

Jane: Mexi-mutts, whether rescued from the street or adopted from a shelter or the pound, are the best dogs in the world (we think!). Vetting is relatively cheap here in Mexico so pet ownership is not as financially onerous as it is North of the border. That said, be prepared to pay equivalent prices for premium dog or cat food – these are not cheap. 

AD: And Finally, Do You Have Anything Else You’d Like to Share?

Jane: We live for our animals and do everything in our power to give them the best life possible, preferably through finding them a responsible, loving forever home. For those who never make it out of our shelter, we are their “home” and we do everything within our power and resources to ensure that they live happy lives. 

While Evolucion Animal A.C. does ship pups via our Canadian partners, we do not do private international adoptions.

**Please also note that the Adoption Gallery on our website is significantly out of date. For currently available adoptable animals, please see our Adoption photo album on our Spanish Facebook page.

Evolucion Animal A.C. – An Avenue Dogs Featured Rescue

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Have a dog foster or rescue success story? We’d love to hear that too! Tell us your pup’s heartwarming tale of how you met, the challenges you faced, and of course what your furry friend is up to now! Success stories are a great way to encourage others to choose to rescue!