PROGRAMS - Mexico | Compassion Copper Canyon

Current Programs in Mexico

Our main goal is to educate the population about: the benefits of spaying and neutering and veterinary health of dogs and cats, the benefits of lowering the stray dog and cat populations, and the impact they have on the environment and the population

Compassion Copper Canyon focuses on sustainable, community-driven animal welfare solutions in the Copper Canyon region. Their strategy centers on:
Spay & Neuter Initiatives – Partnering with local governments, veterinarians, and rescues to implement high-volume, low-cost sterilization programs to control stray populations.
Animal Control & Rescue Partnerships – Working with municipalities to develop humane animal control programs, including TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for feral cats and transporting adoptable dogs to rescues in the U.S.
Community Engagement & Education – Conducting public outreach on responsible pet ownership, vaccination, and sterilization to reduce abandonment and neglect.
Cross-Border Rescue & Adoption – Collaborating with international rescue groups to relocate dogs to areas where adoption demand is higher.
Infrastructure & Veterinary Support – Supporting local shelters and clinics with resources to improve animal care, medical treatment, and housing.

By combining spay/neuter efforts, humane animal control, public education, and cross-border rescue partnerships, Compassion Copper Canyon creates long-term, impactful solutions for animal welfare in the region.

ABOUT MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON

Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barrancas del Cobre) is a group of six distinct canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in northwestern Mexico. The canyons were formed by six rivers that drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental). All six rivers merge into the Rio Fuerte and empty into the Gulf of California. The walls of the canyon are a copper/green color, which is the origin of the name.

Copper Canyon traditional inhabitants are the Tarahumara or Rarámuri. With no official census, the population of the Rarámuri people probably ranges between 35,000 and 70,000. Many Rarámuri reside in the cooler, mountainous regions during the hot summer months and migrate deeper into the canyons in the cooler winter months, where the climate is more temperate. Their survival strategies have been to occupy areas that are too remote for city people, way off-the-beaten-path to remain isolated and independent so as to avoid losing their culture.

Tourism is a growing industry for Copper Canyon, but the acceptance of it is debated in the local communities. Some communities accept government funding for building roads, restaurants and lodging to make the area attractive for tourists. Many other groups of Rarámuri maintain their independence by living in areas that are as far away from city life as possible. Their way of life is protected by the mountainous landscape.

(Copper Canyon. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 6, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Canyon)