The Pollination Project Foundation’s Global Animal Advocacy Program is revolutionizing farm animal protection in Mexico through a powerful combination of grassroots leadership and strategic coalition-building. By providing seed and growth grants to local advocates, the program is creating a sustainable framework for lasting change in animal welfare policy.
Working with dedicated Country Coordinators, the initiative takes a nuanced approach that acknowledges Mexico’s distinct political and cultural landscape. This careful consideration of local context has proven crucial in laying the groundwork for meaningful policy reform at both local and national levels.
The "Good Practices" Campaign: A Catalyst for Change
The “Good Practices” campaign, launched in 2022 by Country Coordinator and grantee Lourdes Jiménez, exemplifies this approach. With over 35 years of experience in animal advocacy and as founder of the animal protection organization Proyecto Arpa, Jiménez brought vital expertise to the initiative. Under her leadership, the campaign successfully united 12 companion animal activist networks in a coordinated effort to advocate for farm animal protection. Their collective action culminated in presenting a pioneering farm animal protection bill to the Veracruz Congress, where it received initial majority support.
The proposed legislation would mark a significant milestone in Mexican animal welfare:
- Making extreme factory farming practices illegal, including tail docking and extreme confinement.
- Establishing a dedicated animal welfare committee.
- Creating pathways for future animal protection legislation.
Building a National Network
A pivotal moment came in July 2024 when six Hub Leaders convened in Veracruz to strategize their state-wide initiatives and plan a national campaign.
In August 2024 a constitutional reform initiative was approved, granting the federal government authority to establish a general animal welfare law. This development opens unprecedented opportunities for protecting animals raised for food consumption.
The Hub Leader network is responding with a comprehensive strategy:
- Launching public awareness campaigns.
- Organizing community forums.
- Participating in radio and television programs.
- Drafting legislative proposals.
- Engaging with federal senators and deputies.
Looking Forward
Through the sustained efforts of The Pollination Project Foundation and its network of dedicated activists, Mexico stands at the threshold of transformative change in farm animal protection. The movement demonstrates how grassroots activism, strategic coalition-building, and focused leadership development can create lasting impact for animal welfare.
I hope the grant that The Pollination Project is offering us to work for farm animals will allow us to change the reality of millions of animals living in Mexico. – Lourdes Jimenez Mora
**We extend our sincere gratitude to WeAnimals for their collaboration in creating this video. Their professional team provided the impactful footage and images that bring these animal advocacy stories to life. We are honored to share this path with WeAnimal toward a better future for all animals. Their visual storytelling strengthens our narrative and amplifies the important work being done in Mexico for animal welfare.
