Quick answer: The Humane Society of Cozumel Island (Sociedad Humanitaria de Cozumel, or HSCI) is the island's nonprofit animal shelter and free spay/neuter program, running since 1995. The easiest way to help is to donate any amount by card on their website. If you live in the U.S. and want a tax deduction, give through their U.S. sister charity, Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society, a registered 501(c)(3). You can also walk dogs and cuddle cats at the shelter during your vacation, bring supplies in your suitcase, sponsor a pet's care or adopt.
Donate to the Humane Society of Cozumel
- Any amount, by card: use the Donate button on humanecozumel.com. These card gifts aren't U.S. tax-deductible.
- Tax-deductible (U.S.): give through Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society (FOTCHS) by check or PayPal. Every dollar goes to the shelter in Cozumel.
- Monthly giving: email pets@humanecozumel.org to set up a recurring tax-deductible gift.
What does the Humane Society of Cozumel do?
My son Blake with a Humane Society volunteer and two of the shelter's kittens.
Like most of Mexico, Cozumel has a lot of street dogs and feral cats, and without help the numbers only grow. The HSCI tackles the problem at the source:
- Free spay and neuter. According to the society, it sterilizes around 2,500 to 3,000 dogs and cats a year at no cost to their owners. Its mobile clinic holds multi-day campaigns in neighborhoods all over the island, including the more remote areas, and feral cats are trapped, neutered and released.
- Free preventive care. The society also runs free vaccination and preventive care campaigns for local families' pets.
- The shelter. Rescued and abandoned dogs and cats are fed, treated and vaccinated until they find a home. The shelter is open to the public.
- Adoptions. Pets go to families on the island and abroad, many of them in the U.S. and Canada.
Donations go mainly to the free spay and neuter program and to caring for the animals at the shelter, so even a small gift makes a real difference.
How do I donate to the Humane Society of Cozumel?
There are three main ways to give:
| How | Best for | Tax-deductible? |
|---|---|---|
| Card donation on humanecozumel.com | A quick one-time gift of any amount, from any country | No |
| Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society (check or PayPal) | U.S. donors, larger or year-end gifts | Yes, in the U.S. |
| Cash or supplies at the shelter | Visitors on the island | No |
Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society was set up in Texas in December 2010 so Americans could support the shelter with tax-deductible gifts. It's listed on Charity Navigator under EIN 27-4046436. Check the FOTCHS page for the current mailing address and PayPal details before you send anything, since older websites still show outdated ones.
Can I volunteer at the Humane Society while I'm on vacation?
Yes, and it's one of the most rewarding things you can do on the island. The dogs and cats need individual attention, and the shelter welcomes visitors who want to:
- walk and bathe the dogs,
- play with the puppies, kittens and cats, and
- help socialize shy animals so they're ready for adoption.
My son Blake playing with the cats in the shelter's cat room on one of our visits.
You don't need to sign up weeks ahead. Email pets@humanecozumel.org before your trip to check the current visiting hours, or just ask your taxi driver for the Sociedad Humanitaria. Children are welcome with an adult. When we visit, we always leave wishing we could take them all home, and always feel like we made a difference.
What supplies should I bring for the shelter?
Suitcase donations are a big help, because pet supplies cost more on the island. Ask the shelter what they're short of before you pack, but these are usually welcome:
- old towels, blankets and newspapers,
- collars, leashes and pet carriers,
- flea and tick treatments,
- dog and cat toys, and
- dog and cat food (you can also buy it on the island and drop it off).
How do I adopt a dog or cat from Cozumel?
Browse the pets available for adoption on the society's website, or meet them in person at the shelter. If you fall in love on vacation, the shelter helps with the vet certificate and paperwork so your new pet can fly home with you. Not ready to adopt? You can sponsor a dog or cat instead: the society asks for about US$100 to cover one animal's vaccinations and care. Make a donation and mention the pet's name.
Flying home from Cozumel to the U.S. or Canada? Ask whether they need a flight volunteer. Pets adopted by families abroad sometimes need a traveler to accompany them, and the shelter takes care of the paperwork.
Questions and Answers
Is the Humane Society of Cozumel a real charity?
Yes. The Humane Society of Cozumel Island has worked on the island since 1995, and its U.S. sister organization, Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 27-4046436).
Are donations to the Humane Society of Cozumel tax-deductible?
Only in the U.S., and only when you give through Friends of the Cozumel Humane Society (by check or PayPal). Card donations made directly on humanecozumel.com are not tax-deductible.
Can tourists visit the Cozumel animal shelter?
Yes. The shelter is open to the public, and visitors can walk dogs, play with the cats and drop off supplies. Email pets@humanecozumel.org to check current hours before you go.
How much does it cost to sponsor a pet in Cozumel?
About US$100 covers one animal's vaccinations and care. Donate on the society's website and quote the pet's name.
More Cozumel news and guides:
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Top photo: a dog resting in a plaza in downtown San Miguel de Cozumel. "Young Man with Dog in Plaza - San Miguel de Cozumel" by Adam Jones, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped and resized.
