Puerto Morelos Hurricane Shelters Now Pet-Friendly for 2026 Season |
Quintana Roo has made pet-friendly emergency shelters an official statewide standard, and Puerto Morelos was already prepared before the 2026 season began. |
Your Pets Have a Place to Ride Out the Storm
If a hurricane warning goes up in Puerto Morelos, you no longer have to choose between your safety and your dog or cat.
The state of Quintana Roo has made it official, and our town is already ahead of the curve.
A New State Guide Changes the Rules
The Quintana Roo state government has issued an operating guide for public temporary shelters during hurricanes that recommends integrating pet spaces within the same shelters used by people.
The guide was developed with participation from state authorities and animal-welfare organizations. IBANQROO director Javier Carballar Osorio said the guide is directed at state and municipal authorities, nonprofits, and pet owners who may need to use these shelters.
Puerto Morelos Was Already on Board
Puerto Morelos had already begun preparing pet-friendly shelter arrangements before the 2026 season.
Municipal authorities say they have prepared temporary shelters across Puerto Morelos, including facilities in the town center and other localities. The emergency plan also includes first-response shelters and designated areas for pets.
Why This Matters
The push for pet-friendly shelters comes from a hard lesson learned in past storms. When Hurricane Beryl struck the Yucatán Peninsula in 2024, many residents were reluctant to evacuate without a safe place for their animals.
Quintana Roo was among the first states in Mexico to open temporary shelters for dogs and cats during the 2024 hurricane season. The new 2026 guide builds on that experience and makes pet-friendly shelters a formal statewide standard.
State authorities say they have prepared hundreds of temporary shelters for the 2026 hurricane season, along with dedicated pet shelters and civil protection brigadiers.
What You Should Do Now
Do not wait for a storm to figure out your plan. Know where your nearest shelter is before a warning is issued.
The state's Civil Protection coordinator, COEPROC, lists first-response shelters by municipality at coeproc.qroo.gob.mx. If you have dogs or cats, check municipal civil protection guidance for the nearest designated pet-friendly shelter in the town center.
Bring food, water, a leash, and any medications your pet needs. The shelter system is in place, but being prepared before the storm is always your best protection. |