Our Mission Statement
Mission Statement 2023 - 2024
The Humane Society of Cozumel Island
Since the day we opened our doors in August 1995 the Humane Society of Cozumel Island (HSCI) has been committed to controlling the overpopulation of street dogs through mass sterilization, rescuing, providing a sanctuary, rehabilitation, re-homing animals in crisis and working to bring dignity to domestic animals through education.
We began our FREE spay & neuter program in the fall of 1995 and continue to sterilize 2500-3000 dogs and cats each year. As we enter into a new decade of working with the people of Cozumel we find our focus shifting. Our year round free sterilization campaign remains in place with education now moving to the forefront of our mission. This is only possible thanks in part to the massive numbers of already sterilized dogs and cats, our rescue efforts and the community involvement in personal rescues and adoption programs.
Along with our own medical team we have the cooperation of 3 local vets who will participate in daily TNR campaigns and by appointment sterilizations. Our mobile clinic will continue to serve as an outreach center for the most vulnerable areas of the island.
We are currently under construction, building a new 4 table surgical center with an attached prep and recovery area all under the same roof. This will allow us to host campaigns on site. We are also constructing a classroom/break room/salon where we can host students from local schools for educational purposes, in addition giving our staff and volunteers a place to escape the heat and take a break.
Our Story
Before our mission began, Cozumel like many municipalities around the world threw out poison-laced meat in the belief it would help bring down the numbers of unwanted dogs. This resulted in indiscriminately killing every animal that ingested the poison including many of the endemic species of the island. The number of street dogs continued to rise year after year. Our work started with convincing the local government to stop this inhumane practice and show them through spay & neutering over time the numbers would reduce.
We opened the HSCI with a team of 3 and a group of ambitious volunteers committed to making a difference. We were the first YEAR ROUND FREE SPAY & NEUTER CLINIC in all of Latin America. With the constant flow of tourism on the island we were able to grow from a small clinic to a huge rescue operation at times housing more than 200 animals to be rehabilitated and adopted. At this time most of our resources went into rescue.
After more than 25 years providing free sterilization we are proud to say the number of homeless dogs has greatly diminished. Our full time staff now consists of 2 TNR vets, a consult vet, 2 vet techs, an administrative assistant and a General Manager. We are fortunate to have an amazing volunteer team made up of both local and expats along with a flow of visiting volunteer interns. Each person fulfills a vital role in our 7 day a week operation. We have independent rescuers that help us with fostering dogs until a permanent home can be found. This allows us to focus on our TNR (trap neuter release) program and community outreach.
We began our FREE spay & neuter program in the fall of 1995 and continue to sterilize 2500-3000 dogs and cats each year. As we enter into a new decade of working with the people of Cozumel we find our focus shifting. Our year round free sterilization campaign remains in place with education now moving to the forefront of our mission. This is only possible thanks in part to the massive numbers of already sterilized dogs and cats, our rescue efforts and the community involvement in personal rescues and adoption programs.
HSCI Vision for the Future of Cozumel
- All domestic animals are safe, healthy and cared for by their owners.
- Each neighborhood works together to ensure the safety of all pets.
- The government steps up their efforts to confront animal cruelty, cases of neglect and abuse.
- Development of programs for children to become involved in community causes.
- Work with the local government to confront neglect, abuse and animal cruelty at its source.
- Create sustainable programs and services to combat neglect and abuse.
- Convictions and legal consequences for cases of abuse.
- Bring quality expertise vet care via our mobile clinic to the most vulnerable communities and provide community based programs and services.
- Continue to improve our practices of service and provide high quality care.
- Strive to continue and learn from the research of those organizations who have paved the way in animal welfare and surround ourselves with knowledgeable educators from around the globe.
Lend us a paw
We fully acknowledge the success of our efforts are in part due to the professionalism and trained staff as well as our dedicated team of volunteers. Our committed Board of Directors and all our volunteers consist of local business owners, local professionals and retired expats. They work as a well-informed team to help guide us through every endeavor.
None of what we do would be possible without your support. Many of our long time donors have witnessed Cozumel transform in regards to animal control. Once an island with packs of sick diseased dying dogs everywhere to a community of higher consciousness and awareness where homeless dogs are not easily found. Our work continues as we hope to one day introduce the island of Cozumel as the first stray dog free municipality in the western hemisphere. Dream big! That is how we got to where we are today.
A message from our President and one of the HSCI original founders,
Lisa Anne Ramirez:
Laika before
When I moved to Cozumel in 1991 the number of street dogs dying horrible painful deaths was staggering. Traveling the world I saw a number of street dogs in every country I visited. The thought of an entire country finding homes for every dog and cat in the street was a utopian dream. The Netherlands successfully conquered this problem and to this day remain the only country in the world to have eradicated the problem of homeless animals. We are putting all of our collective energy into doing the same. Our TNR program is the most effective way to battle the stray dog population. It mirrors Holland’s CNVR program (Collect Neuter Vaccinate and Return).
One important missing factor is local Government cooperation. Penalties and legislation must be carried out by the government. As we open the doors to teaching children that animals are innocent creatures that feel and comprehend pain and suffering, we create a culture of compassionate human beings.
Laika after
Children must be taught that it is our responsibility to respect animals and take care of them. Island residents should be able to call the police when they suspect a case of abuse or neglect. This would require a special task force to respond and follow up with action against the abusers. There has been extensive research in the correlation between violence against animals and violence against humans, mostly in the area of domestic abuse. This is another reason why monitoring and punishing people who abuse animals is important. We truly believe Cozumel could follow Holland’s path to becoming street dog free and we have every intention of working towards that goal.
On behalf of everyone associated with the HSCI, the staff, our amazing volunteers, the BOD/Volunteers, our honorary BOD members/Volunteers/Consultants and the entire community of Cozumel,
Thank you for your support.
