Despite laws prohibiting the sale of pets in Quintana Roo and Cancun, illegal pet sales continue in the city, particularly during December. Puppies are displayed in cages at some veterinary clinics and street markets, with prices ranging from five thousand to 50 thousand pesos.
Pet sales, mainly of dogs several months old, are prevalent on social networks and in pet stores. In Plaza las Américas, two golden retriever puppies were found in cages. Store managers claimed they were waiting for a bath and cleaning, despite the store not offering such services.
Ricardo Pimentel Cordero, founder of the Tierra de Animales sanctuary in Cancun, emphasized that pets are often bought as gifts in December or on January 6, only to be abandoned months later when they outgrow their puppy stage. “They must understand that having a dog is not a gift, but a commitment for at least 10 to 12 years. Pets are not objects, but living beings that feel,” he stressed.
Social Media Sales
On social networks, pet sales remain unrestricted. Prices include:
Pomeranian dog in Playa del Carmen: 27,500 pesos
French bulldog puppy: 11,500 pesos
Border collie: 7,500 pesos
Blue pitbull in Cancun: 8,500 pesos
Other breeds with high prices include:
American bully puppy with pedigree: 50,000 pesos
Authentic Alaskan dog: 14,000 pesos
Pimentel noted that these breeds are often abandoned by their owners, and many mixed breeds are found in municipal kennels.
Market Sales
In various Cancun markets, individuals sell puppies from cardboard boxes, claiming they are “purebred” dachshunds, golden retrievers, or pitbulls. However, these are often mixed breeds, known locally as malixes, sold for 500 to 1,000 pesos.
Source: Sipse
