Los Cabos is less than two months away from opening its first comprehensive animal welfare center, officials announced this week. The Centro de Atención y Bienestar Animal (CABA) is now 80 percent complete and on track to open by the end of September.
The facility represents a major step forward for municipal animal welfare policy. It will provide veterinary services, sterilization programs, temporary shelter space, and humane handling facilities under one roof — something the municipality has never had before.
What the Center Will Include
According to the Los Cabos municipal government, CABA will feature four specialized modules designed to handle the full range of animal welfare needs. Those include a veterinary clinic, sterilization facilities, temporary housing for rescued animals, and a final-stage care area.
The center will also include a farm animal rescue zone for horses, donkeys, and livestock found abandoned or injured. Educational spaces are being built to host programs for local children and youth, with the goal of building a culture of animal respect and care in the community.
Christopher Enríquez González, director of Public Works and Human Settlements, said the facility is designed to offer dignified care and modern infrastructure. The project has received a 35 million peso investment and positions Los Cabos as a leader in animal welfare across Baja California Sur.
Mass Sterilization Campaign Planned
The municipality’s Ecology and Environment Department is preparing a large-scale sterilization campaign set to launch when the center opens. Los Cabos has long struggled with a stray animal population that municipal officials have estimated at hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats across the region.
Previous efforts, including record-breaking spay and neuter campaigns, have helped reduce the population over time. The new center will allow the municipality to expand those programs year-round with consistent capacity and medical oversight.
Why It Matters for Residents and Visitors
For expats, pet owners, and animal welfare advocates, the opening of CABA means more accessible veterinary services and adoption opportunities. The facility is expected to improve public health outcomes by reducing stray populations and providing a formal channel for reporting and rescuing injured or abandoned animals.
The center also reflects a broader shift in how Mexican municipalities are approaching animal welfare. Officials describe the project as part of a humanist policy that recognizes animals as sentient beings deserving of care and protection.
Residents interested in volunteering, donating, or adopting once the center opens should watch for announcements from the municipal Ecology and Environment Department in the coming weeks.
What Happens Next
Construction is expected to wrap up by late September. Final inspections, staff training, and operational setup will follow shortly after. The municipality has not yet announced an official opening date or public tour schedule, but the facility is being built in San José del Cabo to serve the entire Los Cabos region.
For a community that has long relied on private shelters and nonprofit groups to handle animal welfare, the arrival of CABA marks a significant expansion of public infrastructure and municipal responsibility.
