Mexican Animal Advocate Leads Global Rescue Efforts

Felipe Márquez, a former MSNBC correspondent and now Latin American disaster response program manager for Humane World for Animals, has dedicated his career to animalwelfare. His journey began with a love for animals sparked by visits to a dog park while living in Toronto, where pets weren’t allowed. That passion led him to co-found the nonprofit Amigos Pro Animal in 2009, focused on promoting animal adoption and stronger welfare laws in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

From Piñata Cruelty to Compassionate Celebration

Márquez’s work gained international recognition when he intervened in a brutal annual festival in a town on the Yucatan peninsula, where animals were traditionally placed inside piñatas and beaten to death. He successfully persuaded local authorities and community leaders to transform the event into a cruelty-free celebration, a change that has been celebrated for ten years.

Global Disaster Response

Currently, Márquez oversees Humane World’s disaster response program, having rescued animals impacted by events such as wildfires in Chile and devastating earthquakes in Türkiye. He emphasizes, "When you do what you love, what you are truly passionate about, it can be hard to believe that it is actually work." His recent efforts included providing emergency relief to animals and their families following earthquakes in Venezuela.