Closure of the Franciscan Shelter in Mexico City after 40 Years of Animal Rescue; Land Dispute, Mistreatment, and Protests
Since the animals from the Franciscan Shelter in Cuajimalpa were relocated to various shelters in Mexico City, protests have erupted against the actions taken by the city government.
The shelter itself dismissed the idea of committing any infraction against the animals and emphasized that the relocation of living beings is a matter of public interest.
The shelter was founded in December 1977, following a deeply painful experience at an animal control center, where its founders witnessed mistreatment and cruelty towards animals.
Prior to its eviction, it was located on the Mexico-Toluca highway in Lomas de Vista Hermosa, Cuajimalpa de Morelos borough.
The shelter was distinguished by its policy of not euthanizing animals and preventing births, carrying out mass sterilizations as an ethical method of population control.
They have rescued and cared for more than 19,000 dogs and 1,400 cats at the shelter, all victims of abandonment and abuse.
The shelter currently houses 1,500 dogs and 100 cats.
Mexico City Attorney General Bertha Alcalde Luján stated that 936 animals were counted in 2025 following inspections by Mexico City authorities.
The shelter’s social media accounts stated that the number provided by the authorities was incorrect, as they had documented 1,095 animals and demanded information on the whereabouts of the other animals they had registered.
Dispute over the property
In 2022, a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Mexico City issued a ruling allowing the Haghenbeck Foundation to regain legal possession of the property, of which it is the original owner.
Following this ruling, the Franciscan Shelter released a statement asserting that the Foundation had granted them the use of the land through a loan agreement, a legal arrangement that allows the use of a property without payment.
In contrast, the Foundation maintained that the agreement had expired years prior and proposed relocating the shelter to a property in Xalatlaco, State of Mexico, as an alternative.
While the Foundation argued that the relocation was necessary due to an alleged lack of adequate space for the animals, the Franciscan Shelter indicated that the interest in the Cuajimalpa property was linked to the intention of developing a real estate project in the area.
Following the events, both institutions stated that they are in conciliatory talks with the goal of reaching a joint solution regarding the property where the shelter was located.
This year, the head of government, Clara Brugada, called on the two institutions to reach an agreement and prioritize animal welfare over private interests to resolve the case of the animals at the shelter, stating: “The conflict is over land, so we call on both associations: if both are truly committed to animal welfare, they should put private interests before animal welfare and reach an agreement.”
The Franciscan Shelter published a statement on its social media accounts on January 7th, addressed to Brugada, the Ministry of the Environment, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Environmental Crimes and Urban Protection, the Mexico City Animal Care Agency, and the veterinary medical community of Mexico City.
They denounced that in the early morning of December 11, 2025, an eviction was carried out with excessive use of force at the shelter’s facilities, which, they assert, resulted in the removal, suffering, and possible disappearance of the dogs and cats being cared for there.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out in compliance with a court order issued by the 60th Civil Judge, which mandated the handover of the property.
The statement directly names Carmela Rivero and the Antonio Haghenbeck y de la Lama Foundation, holding them responsible for the events that occurred after the eviction, as well as for alleged irregularities in the days that followed. They claim the property remained closed and inaccessible to authorities and specialized shelter staff for 28 days, during which time the foundation took over the shelter. They also hold them responsible for the deterioration of the shelter and the animals, emphasizing their “real estate ambitions.”
On the other hand, the Haghenbeck Foundation also issued a statement clarifying its priority of providing optimal conditions for rescued animals and indicating its willingness to collaborate with the Mexico City government to guarantee dignified conditions and adequate care for the animals at the site.
She indicated that, 27 days after the Superior Court of Justice of Mexico City ordered the animals to be taken into custody at the property, various care and sanitation measures have been implemented.
They also acknowledged the actions of Clara Brugada and her team for their decisive intervention in what they described as a serious case of animal abuse that was exposed, documented, and reported.
Authorities intervene at the Franciscan Shelter
Since 2022, the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office had been investigating the shelter for the alleged crimes of animal abuse or cruelty, stating that they “cause injuries that endanger the animal’s life.” Furthermore, they pointed out deficiencies in food, care, and a lack of veterinary services.
The complaint was followed by an inspection by the Board of Private Assistance, the Environmental and Territorial Planning Attorney’s Office (PAOT), and the Animal Surveillance Brigade of the Secretariat of Citizen Security. They concluded that most of the animals suffered from malnutrition, as they ate bread mixed with kibble. They also found the presence of ectoparasites (fleas, mosquitoes, and flies) and pests (rodents) in the shelter, which is worrisome because they transmit various diseases.
In addition, they confirmed overcrowding, a conclusion that coincided with an inspection carried out by the Administrative Verification Institute of the Mexico City Government in 2015, which led to the suspension of operations.
This year, on January 7, a rescue and protection operation was carried out, coordinated by the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office and PAOT, involving more than 200 personnel. The Animal Surveillance Brigade, Traffic Police, and Metropolitan Police of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC).
Authorities found “serious violations” of animal welfare.
Due to reports of animal abuse, the Mexico City Government and the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office (FGJCDMX) launched an operation involving various city authorities.
Forensic veterinary personnel from the FGJCDMX conducted inspections that confirmed serious violations of animal welfare, including severe overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, repeated neglect of medical care, malnutrition, untreated chronic illnesses, and an environment incompatible with minimum welfare standards.
They noted that of 936 animals, 21 died from causes related to their health (19 dogs and 2 cats), and 57 were hospitalized (20 dogs and 37 cats).
As a conclusion to the investigations, it was reported that 858 dogs were The dogs were transferred and housed in three temporary shelters under the supervision of Mexico City authorities:
- Ajusco Shelter: 304 dogs
- Animal Brigade Shelter in Xochimilco: 371 dogs
- Temporary shelter in Utopía GAM: 183 dogs
During the authorities’ intervention at the shelter, animal rights activists expressed their concern for the lives and well-being of the dogs and cats housed there, leading to confrontations with police officers.
Five days after the events, supporters of the shelter demonstrated with slogans such as “It was a takeover, not a rescue!”
According to staff from the local Government Secretariat (Secgob), 250 people marched from the Angel of Independence to the Zócalo, organized by the Franciscan Shelter itself.
Source: El Universal
