SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Tijuana’s Department of Animal Control says it’s having a hard time keeping up with the number of stray dogs in Tijuana.
“Our facilities are saturated with animals, city is overrun by dogs, and pet owners continue to drop off their animals at our sites,” said Darío Pérez, head of the city’s animal control.
Pérez also said they’re having difficulties finding people to adopt.
“There’s been an increase lately, especially people of low means who decide they can’t afford to keep their dog and they bring them to us.”
According to Pérez, most dogs arrive with health issues or behavioral problems.
“Some are also malnourished and we have to find care for them, which is another obstacle. We’re analyzing other strategies to try and help as many dogs as possible.”
Tijuana’s animal control offers spay and neutering services each Wednesday — a program Pérez says he would like to see dog owners take advantage of, provided their dogs are at least five months old.
“Dogs we rescue will get sterilized. So if you adopt a pet from us, you don’t have to worry about having to do this.”
According to Pérez, they are turning away animals on a daily basis and can’t keep up with the number of calls to pick up strays throughout the city. He said they are working with private animal rescue centers to lend a hand.
“We are always saturated, we do what we can with the space we have. Thank God someone recently donated 24 new cages that are big and can hold more dogs.”
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