People are even less fond of cats, which, as one friend says, are the “antithesis to Mexican culture: cold, independent, hypocritical and distant.” So if pets aren’t even “pets” in the sense that we Americans or Europeans are fond of, why are there so many animals everywhere?
There are a few key differences to pet ownership here in Mexico. The first difference is spaying or neutering your pet. While veterinary offices and nonprofit shelters all understand the importance of getting your cat or dog fixed, many Mexicans – educated and middle class-and- above citizens – find the operation unnecessary. As in – “What do you mean get them fixed?” In a twisted, prevailing sense of macho culture, fixing a cat or dog would only be necessary after a female has reproduced animal once or multiple times. Another difference is pet sitting. Though you may be lucky to have neighbors or friends that will stop by and walk and water your dog three times a day, many pet owners have to rely on shelters to take care of their furry friend’s for a week’s vacation. Perhaps the same is happening in the United States, but there seem to be fewer and fewer children that are happy with $5 to walk Fido. However, even with all of these negative stereotypes regarding public opinion, there a
