Baja California’s state government opened registration this week for a free spay and neuter campaign targeting dogs and cats across all five municipalities. The program, called “Esteriliza-T,” will run through a series of scheduled events in Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Tecate, and Rosarito between June and August 2025. Pet owners can register now through an online form at esterilizat.bajacalifornia.gob.mx.
Baja California Has Run Mass Sterilization Drives Since 2019
The Esteriliza-T campaign is coordinated by SEDERSSON, the state’s Social Development Secretariat, along with the state’s animal welfare directorate. Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda announced the program as part of the administration’s broader animal welfare platform, which has included prior sterilization drives and adoption events.
Baja California has struggled with stray animal populations for years. Tijuana alone has an estimated 1.2 million stray dogs, according to figures cited by local animal welfare groups. The city’s municipal pound, the Centro de Atención Canina, has historically faced overcrowding and limited resources. Ensenada and Mexicali face similar pressures, with rescue organizations in both cities reporting chronic overpopulation.
Mass sterilization campaigns have become one of the primary policy tools for addressing the problem. Mexico’s federal animal welfare law, passed in 2022, encourages states to fund spay and neuter programs. Baja California’s state animal protection law, updated in 2023, requires municipalities to offer low-cost or free sterilization services. Yet municipal budgets have rarely kept pace with demand.
Free campaigns like Esteriliza-T help fill that gap. Previous editions of the program have sterilized thousands of animals in single weekends, with veterinary teams operating out of mobile clinics set up in public parks and community centers. The state government has not yet published capacity targets for the 2025 cycle, but registration is already open for all five municipalities.
Scheduled Dates Run From June Through August in All Five Municipalities
The campaign will operate on a rolling schedule. Each municipality receives designated dates, and pet owners must pre-register their animals online. Registration requires the pet owner’s name, address, phone number, and basic information about the animal, including species, sex, and approximate age.
Specific dates and locations for each municipality will be posted on the program’s website as they are confirmed. In past years, events have taken place at locations like Parque Morelos in Tijuana, the DIF municipal building in Mexicali, and the Casa de la Cultura in Tecate. Spots tend to fill quickly, so early registration is recommended.
The program accepts both dogs and cats. Animals must be healthy on the day of surgery. Pet owners are typically asked to withhold food for eight to twelve hours before the procedure. Post-operative care instructions are provided on site, and animals are usually released the same day.
There is no cost for the surgery. The state covers veterinary fees, anesthesia, and basic medications. Some previous campaigns have also offered free rabies vaccinations and deworming treatments at the same events, though it is not yet confirmed whether the 2025 edition will include those services.
How to Register and What to Bring
Registration is online only at esterilizat.bajacalifornia.gob.mx. Pet owners who lack internet access can visit their local DIF office or municipal animal control office for help with the form. The state government has also shared registration links through its official social media channels.
On the day of the appointment, owners should bring a copy of their registration confirmation, an official ID (INE or passport), and a clean towel or blanket for the animal’s recovery. Dogs must arrive on a leash, and cats must be in a carrier or secure container. Pet owners are expected to stay on site during the procedure, which typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes per animal.
If you have adopted a street animal or are fostering a stray, the program accepts those animals as well. Rescue organizations and independent rescuers can register multiple animals, though they may need to coordinate directly with the campaign organizers for group appointments.
The first scheduled events begin in June 2025. Exact dates by municipality are expected to be posted on the program website by late May. This story was first reported by El Sol de Tijuana.