Cozumel seeks support to shelter stray animals if a hurricane strikes

COZUMEL, Q. Roo — Cozumel’s Humane Society (La Sociedad Humanitaria) is asking citizens for support to house dogs and cats in their homes if a hurricane hits the island, since their facilities are not properly equipped for this type of weather phenomenon. Not being refuged in a safe place would require them to stay in the shelter, which would represent an extreme danger for these animals.

Humane Society monthly shelters around 50 stray animals, both cats and dogs, which is similar to the amount of those that are given in adoption during the same period of time. Such animals may, under normal conditions, be kept in their buildings; however, regarding the arrival of some hydrometeorological phenomenon, the place is obsolete to protect them.

Given the situation, the coordinator of the premise, Laura de la Fuente, explained that they have already started with a series of drills to get them a temporary –or even a permanent– home, so that these animals can survive during the phenomenon. “Our shelter is not prepared to withstand a tropical storm and much less a hurricane,” she stated.

SOURCE: El Diario La Verdad