Strengthening Mexico’s Grassroots-Led Farm Animal Protection Movement

by | Oct 25, 2024 | Animal Rights & Welfare, ShiftHappens

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

In Mexico, a unique opportunity has emerged to expand the farm animal protection movement by engaging allied activists from other causes, particularly companion animal advocacy. While policy change has faced challenges due to administrative turnover, there is compelling evidence that investing in people power and leadership development yields significant results.

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

The success of the “Good Practices” Campaign revealed the power of engaging allied activists with broad reach through more popular causes and bringing them into the farm animal protection movement. This victory led to the establishment of a vibrant network of grantee Hub Leaders spanning six states in Mexico. These leaders are now working to nurture local advocacy networks dedicated to farm animal welfare, creating a robust foundation for nationwide change.

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

The movement’s strength lies in its numbers and organization: six Hub Leaders representing six states, over 100 groups, and numerous independent activists across Mexico. Together, they are building momentum for unprecedented change in farm animal welfare.

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.

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✨ "Every child deserves to see the world clearly." NEW PROJECT ✴️
In Mushin, Lagos, Vision Care for Kids is bringing this dream to life by improving the eyesight of children aged 6-16 in underserved communities. With the support of one of our seedgrants, this school-based initiative is set to:

👓 Screen 150 school children for visual impairments.
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👓 Train 20 community healthcare workers and teachers in eye care awareness.

Through community engagement, school-based interventions, and education workshops, this project aims to reduce childhood blindness and promote early detection of vision problems, giving every child a brighter, clearer future.

We’re proud to support this incredible work that’s transforming lives - one pair of glasses at a time. 💛

#EyeCareForAll #VisionCareForKids #ThePollinationProject #ChildHealth #CommunityImpact #BetterFuture #MushinLagos
✨ "Every child deserves to see the world clearly." NEW PROJECT ✴️
In Mushin, Lagos, Vision Care for Kids is bringing this dream to life by improving the eyesight of children aged 6-16 in underserved communities. With the support of one of our seedgrants, this school-based initiative is set to:

👓 Screen 150 school children for visual impairments.
👓 Provide eyeglasses, eye drops, and essential medications.
👓 Train 20 community healthcare workers and teachers in eye care awareness.

Through community engagement, school-based interventions, and education workshops, this project aims to reduce childhood blindness and promote early detection of vision problems, giving every child a brighter, clearer future.

We’re proud to support this incredible work that’s transforming lives - one pair of glasses at a time. 💛

#EyeCareForAll #VisionCareForKids #ThePollinationProject #ChildHealth #CommunityImpact #BetterFuture #MushinLagos
🌍✨ Monday Sharing ✨🌍
The smallest acts of kindness can create waves of change. 🌱💛
What’s one small way you can make the world a better place this week? 🌟
Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or a moment of generosity—every action matters. Drop your ideas in the comments! 👇💬

🧡 Tag someone who inspires you to take action!