Photos: Street dogs find homes, vocations after being rescued by Mexican army

Shelter was set up after airport workers noticed large number of stray dogs

Last updated: July 16, 2021 | 12:57

2 MIN READ

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Zumpango de Ocampo: An unoccupied kindergarten building has been transformed into a shelter for street dogs near an international airport under construction in Zumpango de Ocampo, on the outskirts of Mexico City.

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The Doggies of Santa Lucia shelter run by the Mexican army was set up after the airport's architects and workers noticed a large number of stray dogs wandering near the construction site.

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The shelter can host up to 50 dogs that will receive medical attention, food and shelter.

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"The shelter's objective is to give the dogs a temporary home and to adapt them to live with humans and other dogs so they can be adopted by a family," said Second Lieutenant Carla Medellin, a veterinarian.

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Not all dogs that arrive at the shelter are intended for adoption.

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Specialists and veterinarians will also look for dogs that can work at the airport by detecting COVID-19 patients or even drugs.

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"Dogs can help us as medical alert dogs. They can detect cancer, hypertension, early diabetes or COVID-19," said Pamela Diaz, an architect at the airport.

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"Mainly at the airport, they will provide a way of carrying out fast tests."

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A soldier plays with a stray dog at the 'Doggies of Santa Lucia' shelter.

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An unoccupied kindergarten building has been transformed into a shelter for street dogs near an international airport under construction in Zumpango de Ocampo, on the outskirts of Mexico City.

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