San Miguel’s Animal Shelter Under Lock and Key: 160 Lives in Limbo

Updated 11am Sept 19th, 2025

Update: A judge is expected to rule on the injunction tomorrow morning. In the meantime, the vet and two others have been allowed inside to feed the animals, and reports describe filthy conditions. Volunteer groups are preparing to mobilize as soon as access is granted.

Join the rally, bring your voice, and share this widely.

Rally in support of the animals at Lucky Dogs Clubhouse
Where: Calle Vista Hermosa #34, Los Frailes
When: 12 pm, Saturday 20 September
Please come to support the dogs and cats, and share this post.

They are also asking people to send emails in Spanish and English to bring urgent attention to this story:

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

Whats Happening

On the morning of September 17th in San Miguel de Allende, staff at Lucky Dogs AC showed up to work and found themselves pushed out. Men had arrived with a court order that the shelter’s leadership calls illegitimate. The staff were forced outside, while the dogs and cats inside, nearly 160 of them, were left locked in without access to water, food, or medicine.

The refrigerators that stored essential medications were carried away. Water bowls were removed. Kennels, still full, sat in silence except for the restless barking of animals waiting for care that at the time of publishing this on the 10:00pm of September 17th, still hasn’t come.

A Legal Dispute with Real Consequences

The sudden eviction, said to stem from a disputed family court order, is already having immediate effects on vulnerable lives. Yet, both state and national law clearly recognize that animals are not property. In Guanajuato, the Law for Animal Protection, reformed in 2021, established that domestic animals are sentient beings with the right to dignity and respect. And earlier this year, President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, signed a landmark national law affirming those same protections. Together, these laws make it clear: cases like this should be addressed under animal protection statutes, not treated as the seizure of objects or real estate.

Why It Matters Beyond San Miguel

San Miguel de Allende is a city known for its international community, tourism, and cultural prestige. But this story isn’t just about one shelter in one Mexican town. It speaks to how fragile systems of protection can be, and how quickly the vulnerable, whether animals or people, can become collateral damage in larger disputes.

How You Can Help

The shelter is asking for urgent support. Here’s what makes a difference right now:

• Spread the word: Share this story across social media and press to build awareness and pressure.
• Contact authorities: Urge Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco and local officials to intervene immediately.
• Offer space: If you have land, warehouse space, or facilities, consider offering it as a temporary shelter.
• Donate: Financial support can help cover food, medical supplies, and emergency relocation costs.
• Volunteer: Hands-on help, from delivering water to assisting with relocation, can save lives.

For now, the situation is simple but urgent. Over 160 animals are waiting behind closed gates. Their access to water, food, and medicine depends on how quickly the community and the wider world respond.

Contact Lucky Dogs AC here.