Mexico City – As millions of dogs and cats across Mexico continue to face abandonment and life on the streets, Petco México is marking a major milestone in its efforts to promote responsible pet adoption. The company recently announced its 110,000th adoption in the country, highlighting more than a decade of work focused on animal welfare, rescue, and education.
The milestone adoption was a kitten named Saskia, and she is featured on the company’s “Wear the adoption shirt with Petco!” campaign tied to Unique Breed Dog Day, observed each year on May 28.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and the Mexican Canine Federation, the country has an estimated 23 million dogs, with around 16 million of them living on the streets. Officials also report that many of the stray dogs were once family pets that were later abandoned.
Petco says its adoption program, launched in 2013, has helped thousands of dogs and cats find homes through partnerships with rescue centers and animal welfare organizations. Here in Puerto Vallarta, they work with the Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals and PuRR Project, among others. The company also works to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of adoption.
“Each adoption represents a new opportunity to transform the life of a pet and also that of a family,” said Alejandro Ahuad, CEO of Petco Mexico. “Reaching 110,000 adoptions reflects the positive impact that can be achieved through empathy, responsibility, and animal welfare.”
The company also emphasized the importance of recognizing the value and individuality of mixed-breed, or “unique breed,” dogs. Petco noted that these dogs make up nearly 26 percent of registered pets in Mexican households, demonstrating the strong connection many families have with adopted animals.
To celebrate the occasion, Petco will host a national pet fashion show on May 24 and a special event at Mexico City’s Plaza Puerta Tlatelolco, where families and their pets will gather for what organizers hope will become the country’s largest group photo of unique breed dogs.
Through these events, Petco aims to continue encouraging adoption, responsible care, and greater awareness about the value of rescued pets in Mexican homes.
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