Holbox Animal Shelter Sterilizes Nearly 350 Cats to Control Overpopulation

A volunteer holds a cat during a sterilization campaign organized by the Holbox Animal Shelter.

Holbox, Quintana Roo — The Holbox Animal Shelter has wrapped up a sterilization campaign that treated nearly 350 cats, an effort designed to curb the island’s feline overpopulation and safeguard local wildlife, shelter director Morelia Montes Barahona said.

Montes Barahona said crews visited neighborhoods and communities across the island to safely capture the animals, many of them feral, using special traps when necessary. Some cats posed a greater challenge because of their wild condition.

Beyond sterilization, the cats received basic veterinary care, including deworming and health checkups, to improve their well-being and limit the spread of disease among the island’s cat population.

The overgrowth of cats not only affects the animals themselves but also threatens native species, as free-roaming cats prey on wildlife and disrupt the island’s ecological balance, Montes Barahona said. She added that responsible population control helps prevent disease transmission and promotes healthier coexistence between pets and residents.

The shelter director thanked the Ammega Foundation, which funded the campaign, as well as ferry companies, veterinarians, and dozens of volunteers who helped with capture, treatment, and recovery efforts.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx