Waiting to die at the perrera (Mexican pound). - photo by Beth Mallon

About Us

United Hope for Animals is a non-profit organization committed to ending the suffering and mistreatment of dogs and cats in Tijuana and Southern California. Through us, these animals benefit from spay and neuter services in areas where families cannot afford them; rescue, adoption and foster care where- and whenever possible; and additional support and education for those who will care for them.

The Need - going to where they need us most
Our group’s volunteer network operates from Southern California but often focuses on Tijuana because of the extreme conditions facing the animals in their struggles to survive. In Tijuana and many other Mexican border towns, thousands of wounded, starving and/or pregnant dogs and cats are roaming the streets right now. Many will live just long enough to reproduce puppies and kittens that will meet the same cruel fate. Dogs collected by Tijuana’s animal control will be brought to the city pound, where they will receive no nutrition or medical attention before being electrocuted within 72 hours.

After three years of working for change in Tijuana, United Hope for Animals has become the first animal-welfare organization to form a relationship with the Tijuana pound officials. At this moment, we are striving to provide the supplies, manpower and training that will alter how the pound houses and euthanizes the animals.

We are also devoted to helping establish animal-welfare laws that will uphold permanent changes in Mexico’s current system of unnecessary suffering. Tijuana is only a border away from us, but the difference between the lives of animals in Tijuana and southern California are worlds apart. The United States does in fact represent the only place in the world where a first world borders a third world. We as a community have the resources, education, and power to say no to the intolerable conditions under which the animals just south of the border live and die. It is time to look past our prejudices, what ever they may be, and extend our hands and hearts to these innocent, suffering, voiceless creatures.

The Work - combating pet overpopulation
The statistics are sobering: Together, one unspayed female dog, her unaltered mate and their offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in six years. Even with its prevalent spay/neuter programs, the United States euthanizes more than 6 million dogs and cats each year. For these reasons, we apply significant resources to spaying and neutering programs that help prevent pet overpopulation.

Because of Mexico’s lack of money and infrastructure for spaying and neutering, pet overpopulation is an enormous problem that leads to the endless cycle of needless death and suffering. Spaying/neutering one dog or cat in Mexico can help end the struggles of thousands. To help achieve this end, we operate free spay/neuter clinics in conjunction with the Humane Society of Tijuana, a non-profit animal protection group.

The turnout is overwhelming, since veterinary care is unaffordable to the many local pet owners who make only $15 to $20 a day. On average, we spay/neuter 50 to 60 dogs and cats per clinic. Our goal is to hold the clinic every week. We simply must stop the creation of new life while there are millions of homeless and abandon dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering, and stopping the breeders from turning dogs and cats into a commodity, as well as rescue work and adoption, are the answer. Click here to see photos of our spay and neuter clinic at work.

Helping the homeless and forgotten find loving and caring homes. Since incorporating in March 2004, we have rescued, fostered, treated and found homes for almost 600 dogs and 200 cats. Hundreds more have received food, grooming, medical attention and, when appropriate, transfer to other qualified rescue organizations that then place them in caring adoption programs.

Our progressive foster-care program helps ensure successful adoptions. Because our rescued animals are fostered by families in safe and comfortable environments, they can be monitored and evaluated for both health and behavioral concerns. The animals become more prepared for life in their permanent homes as well.

Through United Hope for Animals’ network of caring volunteers in Southern California, each dog or cat is matched with the right family. If you or someone you know wishes to give a pet a loving home, we offer adoption events throughout the region. You can view our available dogs and cats here at United Hope or at www.1-800-save-a-pet.com and www.petfinder.com.

The Hope - saving lives and ending the cycle of needless death and suffering. We believe dogs and cats have no nationality: They are our universal friends, and those who suffer on either side of the border need our help. When guided by concern and empathy, we can all contribute to a world in which people and animals enjoy and benefit from one another. Many animals are being subjected to unfathomable conditions at this moment. Together, we can end their plight and achieve our goals:

• Stop the Tijuana pounds from putting down thousands of dogs by electrocution.
• Partner with the Mexican government and the Human Society of Tijuana to improve the conditions at the Tijuana pounds.
• Expand our spay and neuter clinics in Tijuana.
• Build a facility for the sick, injured and homeless companion animals in Mexico; Tijuana currently has no animal shelters.
• Enlarge our network of foster homes and volunteers who will rescue and find homes for more companion animals from Mexico and Southern California.
• Work with schools to develop and administer training on loving and responsible care of animals.

Thank you for your time, consideration and compassion.