Tulum, Quintana Roo — With the start of hurricane season, the Alma Animal shelter in Tulum is making upgrades to protect more than 200 dogs and cats. Founder Sandra Torres said the main need is to build a solid-roof structure to house the animals if a major storm hits the region.
Torres explained that much of the shelter currently has only sheet-metal roofs, which may not withstand hurricane-force winds. She is seeking support from businesses, citizens, and organizations by sending formal requests for materials and resources to reinforce a section of the shelter, primarily the cat area.
“We want to roof that part so at least we have a safe place for the cats,” Torres said. The shelter currently houses about 158 dogs and 47 cats, with eight more cats arriving soon after being rescued. Torres noted that cats pose an extra challenge during emergencies because they are harder to transport and temporarily adapt to other spaces.
As part of preventive measures, the shelter is also creating a citizen support network to provide temporary housing for some animals during a hurricane evacuation. The goal is to identify people willing to care for pets until conditions return to normal, reducing risks for the animals and shelter staff.
Torres said Alma Animal operates without government support, relying on income from bazaars in Tulum, can recycling, and private donations. The shelter spends between 22,000 and 25,000 pesos per week on food alone, not including veterinary care, medicine, and spay/neuter costs. She called on the public to contribute food, construction materials, or financial donations to strengthen the facilities and ensure the animals’ safety during the cyclone season.
