Investigation into the entity known as MunDOGS, Queretaro
This document presents a comprehensive investigation into the entity known as MunDOGS, its leadership, and its operational role within a network of irregular animal shelters in the Queretaro region of Mexico.
I. Organizational Identity and Legal Status
II. Physical Existence
III. Legal Requirements for A.C.s in Querétaro
IV. Financial Fraud and Transparency Obligations
V. Logistical and Medical Realities
VI. Documented State Action (SAT Complaints)
VII. Identified Entities and Irregularities
I. Organizational Identity and Legal Status
The investigation into MunDOGS and its founder, Adriana Arellano Medina, reveals a significant gap between public claims and legal reality.
Legal Formation: MunDOGS is not a federally registered Asociación Civil (A.C.). It is absent from the federal CLUNI (Clave Única de Inscripción) database, which is mandatory for civil society organizations participating in public policy.
Misleading Branding: The organization frequently utilizes the “A.C.” label in media and social platforms to solicit funds, despite lacking the legal personality, notarized Acta Constitutiva, or RFC (Tax ID) required for such a designation.
Lack of Leadership Transparency: While Adriana Arellano is the public face, the entity is linked to a broader network involving Javier Rivera Guerrero, who is accused of assuming false identities to manage shelter operations.
II. Physical Existence
Physical Shelter: No. MunDOGS does not maintain a central, licensed, or physically verifiable animal shelter facility.
Address Transparency: In regional and municipal records, MunDOGS lists its address as “X” or “Web Protection”.
Operational Hubs: The group functions through a decentralized model using private foster homes (Casas Cuna) and partner veterinary clinics, intentionally keeping its physical location hidden to avoid state oversight and public abandonment.
III. Legal Requirements for A.C.s in Querétaro
To operate as a legitimate non-profit and collaborator with the state, an organization in Querétaro must possess and maintain the following:
Acta Constitutiva: A notarized deed defining the organization’s legal structure and purpose.
Tax ID (RFC): A registration as a legal person with the SAT.
Legal Domicile: A verifiable physical address for inspections and legal notifications.
Public Disclosure: An obligation to disclose financial and operational information to any person upon request.
Annual Transparency Filings: Mandatory reporting to the SAT regarding the use and destination of all donations.
MunDOGS Compliance: Currently, the organization does not comply with any of these four requirements. It maintains a hidden address, lacks a corporate RFC, and does not provide public transparency reports.
IV. Financial Fraud and Transparency Obligations
The practice of soliciting donations under a false organizational title triggers severe legal consequences:
Tax Fraud: Because MunDOGS is not an A.C., donations are deposited into personal bank accounts. Under Mexican Law, these funds are treated as undeclared taxable income, constituting a “fiscal discrepancy”.
Fundraising Fraud: Claiming “A.C.” status to obtain money is a criminal offense under the Federal Penal Code, as it misleads the public for undue profit.
Transparency Requirements: Legally registered A.C.s must file an annual Transparency Declaration detailing their assets and donors. Informal groups bypass this, preventing donors from verifying if funds were used for animal care or personal expenses.
Recovery Fees: The “cuota de recuperación” claimed by these groups is frequently identified as a de facto sales price, bypassing laws that regulate the commercial sale of animals.
V. Logistical and Medical Realities
The Aguascalientes-Queretaro Route: The claim that animals must be transported to Querétaro for specialized treatment is medically unfounded. Aguascalientes possesses a robust infrastructure with at least 4 specialized animal hospitals and numerous veterinarians capable of handling all types of medical treatments. Sanitary Violations: Transporting sick animals across state lines without an official Sanitary Certificate violates NOM-051-ZOO-1995, which regulates the humane transport of animals to prevent disease spread. Chain of Custody: Moving an animal involved in a cruelty case without state authorization breaks the chain of custody. This action “pollutes” the evidence, making it legally impossible to prosecute abusers in a court of law.
VI. Documented State Action (SAT Complaints)
Two formal complaints have been registered with the SAT regarding the financial and legal irregularities of these operations:
Folio 141956: Registered on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 04:34 a.m.
Folio 12: Registered on Monday, January 1, 2024, at 07:54 p.m.
Status: These complaints have been turned over to the responsible areas for investigation under the SAT’s oversight regarding tax evasion and the simulation of non-profit entities.
VII. Identified Entities and Irregularities
A list of shelters and individuals in the Querétaro/Corregidora area has been identified with significant red flags17:
MunDOGS: Listed as “Web Protection” with no address or phone.
Javier Rivera: Accused of false identity and illegal adoptions.
Various Groups: Entities like Huellitas Seguros, Adopcan, and Casita Miau Miau are listed with hidden (“X”) addresses, indicating a pattern of irregular operations.