School Animal Welfare Clubs initiated in Caguas

“Animal welfare starts with education,” Caguas Mayor William Miranda Torres said.

By THE STAR STAFF

As part of the municipal public policy “Caguas para Mi Mascota,” the Municipal Administration of Caguas on Thursday carried out an initiation and swearing-in of the School Animal Welfare Clubs, an innovative educational initiative aimed at promoting the management of animal welfare and responsibility for animals.

The activity took place at the Ángel Ramos Foundation Cinema Theater at C3Tec, and Caguas Mayor William Miranda Torres presided over the swearing-in ceremony.

The Animal Welfare Clubs were set up in six schools in the city, five of which are public: Pepita Garriga, SU Diego Vázquez, SU Nicolás Aguayo Aldea, Abelardo Díaz Morales and Montessori Jesús T. Piñero, and an alternative education school, Nuestra Escuela. In total, 103 members, including students and liaison teachers, are part of this first phase of the project.

“Animal welfare starts with education,” the mayor said. “By integrating our students into this effort, we are training aware, empathetic and responsible citizens, capable of multiplying this message in their communities.”

The initiative arises in accordance with Executive Order 2022-009, later amended by EO 2025-004, which establishes municipal policy on animal welfare and creates the Animal Welfare Advisory Board, which is responsible for developing an action plan to turn Caguas into an animal-friendly city.

Through the clubs, students will receive educational tools to promote the prevention of abuse, responsible sterilization, conscious adoption, pet registration and a healthy coexistence between people and animals.

During the swearing-in activity, each school held a student-led presentation, thus reaffirming the educational and participatory approach of the project.