About us
Welcome to Refugio Animal Holbox
HOW IT ALL BEGAN…
“One night, around 10 pm, a motorcycle stopped in front of my house and on it were two young men carrying a baby animal in their hands. At first, I thought it was a puppy, but when I saw the face mask, I realized it was a newborn raccoon; only a few days old. They told me that the mother was carrying him with her mouth, but dropped him when the lights and noise of the motorcycle startled her. I didn’t know what to do. I had never seen one up close, and I didn’t have any special food; I was afraid that he would not survive. I made a thick drink of oatmeal and honey and fed him his first baby bottle. The next day I started to feed him special milk for dogs and I spent days and nights feeding him. I watched him grow, develop well and become a sweet beautiful animal. I named him Venancio and he became a celebrity amongst the locals; children, adults and tourists, came to visit him, take his picture and to laugh at his mischievousness.
That night when I welcomed Venancio, I knew that I had to build a place to help every animal who needed it.
Morelia Montes reminiscing on what inspired Refugio Animal Holbox.
Founder and Director of Holbox Animal Shelter
WHAT WE DO
Every day we welcome animals in desperate situations; some are victims of cruelty or are abandoned, some have suffered an accident or are ill. After they are rescued, our veterinarians perform examinations and provide a diagnosis in order to begin any necessary treatments. From that point on, many of the animals are given a new temporary home with us. For some of these animals, this is the first home they have ever had. We care for and love them, and make them feel part of our family. Once a dog, cat, bird, raccoon, etc. has healed, the adoption or habitat re-integration stage begins.
At our shelter, we believe that in order to improve the wellbeing of living creatures, it is necessary to achieve a change in the environment. Therefore, we also provide environmental education activities to the Holbox community and the surrounding area. Additionally, to encourage and support these changes, once a week, our veterinarians travel to communities within the Municipality of Lazaro Cardenas, where they provide free consultations and treatment to animals in need.
We also regularly mount small-scale Sterilization Campaigns on Holbox Island and within the surrounding communities, as well as, twice-annual massive campaigns along with our friends from Holbox Island Spay and Neuter Project.
By rescuing and advocating or caring for animals, by sterilizing them and educating people in our community…
Every day we’re working to build a better place!
We thank you for your interest, support and assistance to the Shelter.
Our motivation, work and team grows every day thanks to people like you!