Puerto Rico

Criminal Justice Training in Puerto Rico

Our recent criminal justice training in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which brought law enforcement, veterinarians, animal advocates, and rescue organizations together to collaborate and learn, is a shining example of the work the Animal Legal Defense Fund does every single day on behalf of animals.

ALDF attorneys worked closely with Lillian Garcia Navedo (trained psychologist and founder/president of Movimiento Social Pro Bienestar Animal (MOPSBA) or “Social Movement for Animal Welfare”), Vivian González-Méndez (licensed attorney, adjunct professor with the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, and founder of Justicia Animal PR or “Animal Justice of Puerto Rico”), and Anlis Mercado Ríos (former mentor to the University of Puerto Rico School of Law’s student pro bono group, the Organización Nacional de Derecho de Los Animales (ONDA) or “National Organization of Animal Rights”), to build a two-day training that took place in February.

The enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from more than 200 attendees confirmed that Puerto Rico’s law enforcement is committed to protecting animals. But to be successful, they need (and want) more training opportunities and access to resources that are currently not available. ALDF and our Puerto Rico-based collaborators can give them both — and we will, ensuring that our mission, to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system, supports the dedicated advocates and their tireless efforts throughout the territory.

In addition to our appreciation to Lillian Garcia Navedo, Vivian González-Méndez, and Anlis Mercado Ríos, we offer special thanks to Anthony Martinez and Amanda Collazo of Casa Vegana, catering chef Wanda Reyes, Doris Lamoso of Puerto Rico’s Department of Tourism, the Colegio Universitario de San Juan, and all the MOSPBA and ONDA volunteers who donated their time, skills, and resources to make the training so successful.