Cancún Receives Up to 60 Animal Abuse Complaints a Day

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Animal cruelty remains a persistent challenge for municipal authorities in Benito Juárez, where the Institute for Animal Protection and Welfare receives between 45 and 60 reports of suspected abuse every day, officials said.

Yulidiana Lázaro Huérfano, who heads the institute, said the volume of complaints outstrips the agency’s capacity to respond to every case immediately. Cases deemed emergencies are handled on the spot, while those requiring inspection visits are scheduled according to staff availability.

Lázaro Huérfano urged residents to report suspected abuse rather than wait until an animal’s condition becomes critical. She noted that animals cannot speak for themselves, so a prompt complaint can allow authorities to intervene before a situation worsens.

Reports can be filed through the city’s ChatCun platform. Because of the rising caseload, the institute maintains three rotating shifts to keep responding to calls for help throughout the day.

The director said the round-the-clock schedule began in late April and allows the institute to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that reports filed at any hour are addressed.