Ley General en Materia de Bienestar, Cuidado y Protección de los Animales, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico): The General Law on Animal Welfare, Care and Protection could be approved in November 2026, after Ricardo Monreal, coordinator of Morena in the Chamber of Deputies, said his caucus would push the bill forward during that month. The proposal creates new obligations to protect animals, prevent mistreatment, and coordinate the actions of federal, state and municipal authorities.
The announcement follows the Senate’s approval of the bill on September 29, 2026, by 115 votes in favor and one against in general. The project aims to establish common criteria for the protection and care of animals in Mexico.
The Senate-approved bill has six titles and 125 articles and incorporates the five domains of animal welfare. This means protection is not limited to avoiding injury or keeping an animal alive.
It also covers the conditions in which the animal lives, its diet, its environment, its physical health and its mental state.
The proposal distributes responsibilities among the Federation, state governments and municipalities so that protective measures apply nationwide. For companion animals, the project establishes responsible guardianship and the obligation to provide adequate living conditions.
It also proposes a transition process to stop using them in research and teaching activities.
The bill also includes provisions for animals involved in activities beyond domestic companionship. In zoos, aquariums and educational farms, it sets specific conditions for display and care, including adequate facilities, preventive medicine, environmental enrichment and emergency protocols.
For sports activities and shows, it provides for management plans and veterinary supervision. During the Senate debate, horseback parades were added to the activities that must be regulated by the states.
A modification also added a second paragraph to Article 78 stating that animal shows must follow welfare criteria, according to the nature, characteristics and bonds of the animals with people and their activities. The project further regulates the treatment of animals in food supply and commercial activities, as well as in audiovisual productions.
The bill also reforms various provisions of other federal and general laws to harmonize their rules with the new animal welfare framework. The project proposes mechanisms for reporting mistreatment and states that responsible persons must cover the costs of veterinary care, rehabilitation and shelter for affected animals.
During the Senate debate, legislator Geovanna Bañuelos de la Torre of the Labor Party highlighted these obligations and the inclusion of sanctions for those who mistreat or abandon animals. However, the details of the sanctions must be checked in the final text approved by Congress.
Monreal said Morena will seek to approve the legislation during November 2026. The parliamentary coordinator said his caucus has the votes needed to advance the project, even if other parties oppose it.
The legislative process still requires several stages to be completed.
For now, the General Law on Animal Welfare, Care and Protection should not be considered in force simply because the Senate approved it. The effective date will depend on completion of the legislative process and publication of the decree.
