I found a dog on the street. Where can I take it in Mexico City?

First look for its family: check its tag, have a vet scan its microchip and post a notice on AGATAN's «Ayúdame a regresar a casa». If it's hurt or at risk, call the Animal Surveillance Brigade at 55 5208 9898.

How do I know if it has a microchip?

Only with a scanner: any vet or shelter that has one can check in seconds. If it has a chip and the registration is current, its family's details will show up.

I found a dog and can't keep it. What do I do?

Look for a foster home with people you know and ask shelters, associations and your borough's animal care area. Don't release it on the street again: by taking it in, you took on a commitment to it.

First do your best to find its family: post the notice and wait a few days. If no one claims it, take it to a vet for a checkup and vaccines, and register it in the RUAC under your name.

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I found a dog on the street in Mexico City. What do I do?

How to help without putting yourself at risk, how to tell if it has a family and who to contact in Mexico City. It works for cats too.

Reviewed by Paola De Valeri, veterinarian, October 17, 2026.

A honey-colored mixed-breed dog without a collar drinks water from a bowl by the door of a house on a quiet city street

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First: stay calm and keep your distance

1. Watch it before you approach. If it growls, shows its teeth or its body is tense, don't touch it: ask the Animal Surveillance Brigade for help (below). Same if it's hurt: an animal in pain may bite.
2. Talk softly, without getting too close. Don't crouch down or get too close: if it's scared or confused, it may attack or run off. Don't chase it or stare; let it be the one to come to you. Offer water and, if it accepts, a little dog food, not leftovers.
3. Get it to safety. If it lets you, lead it away from traffic with a leash or a belt as a makeshift collar. If not, don't force it: keep a safe distance and take full-body photos (use zoom for details).
4. Note the place and time. Street, neighborhood (colonia) and exact time. Its family is probably looking for it nearby.

How to tell if it has a family

Check for a tag on its collar: it almost always has a phone number.
Take it to a nearby vet to scan for a microchip. Ask first whether they charge for it.
Ask neighbors, doormen and shops on the block: someone often knows the dog.
Look for «Se busca» (lost) posters in the area and in the neighborhood groups.
A dog that is clean, wears a collar or has trimmed fur was probably lost recently.

In Mexico City: who to contact

Checked on October 12, 2026. Confirm before you go: hours and requirements may change. Staff usually speak Spanish only.

Animal Care Agency (AGATAN): «Ayúdame a regresar a casa»
Posts free notices of lost pets and of animals found on the street. Send an email with photos, where and when you found it, its marks and your phone.
- See the notices
- [email protected]
Animal Surveillance Brigade (SSC)
The police unit that helps injured, abandoned or at-risk dogs and cats, and aggressive animals on public streets. Free, in all 16 boroughs. Call 55 5208 9898.
- 55 5208 9898
Borough animal care areas
If you can't keep it safe, ask at your borough's animal care area. AGATAN publishes the list.
- See the areas by borough

If you can't keep it

Ask family and friends whether someone can foster it until its family shows up.
Ask shelters and associations in your area: many have waiting lists, but they can point you in the right direction.
If you rehome it, ask for an ID, see where it will live and never give it to a stranger.
Don't release it on the street again: by taking it in, you take on a commitment to it, and in Mexico City abandoning an animal is against the law.

Before you hand it to someone who says they're the family

Ask for older photos with the dog, its vaccine record or its RUAC number.
Ask about a mark that doesn't show in your photos (a scar, a spot, its name).
Meet in a public place and bring someone with you.
Don't ask for or accept money to return it.

Frequently asked questions

I found a dog on the street. Where can I take it in Mexico City?: First look for its family: check its tag, have a vet scan its microchip and post a notice on AGATAN's «Ayúdame a regresar a casa». If it's hurt or at risk, call the Animal Surveillance Brigade at 55 5208 9898.
How do I know if it has a microchip?: Only with a scanner: any vet or shelter that has one can check in seconds. If it has a chip and the registration is current, its family's details will show up.
I found a dog and can't keep it. What do I do?: Look for a foster home with people you know and ask shelters, associations and your borough's animal care area. Don't release it on the street again: by taking it in, you took on a commitment to it.
Can I keep it?: First do your best to find its family: post the notice and wait a few days. If no one claims it, take it to a vet for a checkup and vaccines, and register it in the RUAC under your name.

Related guides

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Wagori: everything for your pet, in one app

Keep its vaccine record, find vets and trusted services, and see events near you. It's free. The app is in Spanish for now.

Create your free account

Works in the browser on your phone or computer. The app is in Spanish for now.

Sources

Official information from (in Spanish):