The sale of pets in Mexico City must be done by appointment. The animals cannot be caged, they must have adequate food and clean water, and be under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Mexico City, December 12 (However).- The Congress of the Mexico City approved on Thursday an initiative to ban physical display of pets or pets for sale as dogs and cats, either in display cases or cages, since if this measure is not met, the establishments will be fined with up to 339 thousand pesos.
The reform promoted by the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) implies that the adoption of pets must be carried out through a prior appointmentso the animals will have to be housed in safe and secure areas, with food suitable and clean waterand under constant supervision of a doctor veterinarian zootechnician and trained personnel.
If this rule is not followed, the animal must be returned within 72 hours, and a reintegration fee will be paid for its care and relocation. Furthermore, only sterilized and dewormed dogs and cats may be adopted, while in corresponding cases the minimum health conditions of the animal must be guaranteed by means of a certificate.
For their part, buyers will have a period of 15 days to claim veterinary attention for hidden diseases or incubation of their pets; and up to 9 months in case of congenital diseases. Likewise, they must receive truthful and sufficient information about the care and behavior of the animal.
If the provisions of the law are not complied with, the Environmental and Territorial Planning Office will have the power to impose fines of between 150 and 3 thousand units of measurement and updating (UMA). That is, between approximately 16,900 and 339 thousand pesos.
It is worth remembering that, in August 2025, the local Congress recognized animals as sentient beings, leaving behind the status of “things” for pets, since in the past they were classified as real estate or property.
In March of the same year, Congress also prohibited bloody bullfights, which also approved bullfighting shows in which animal welfare was guaranteed and “cultural traditions” were preserved.
The reform will come into force 365 calendar days after being published in the Official Gazette of Mexico City, so the authorities still have time to issue guidelines for locations and spaces for animals.