The implementation of the RUAC, in charge of the Animal Attention Agency (Agatan), part of a logic that combines sanitary control, traceability and animal welfare. It is, in the end, an instrument that institutionalizes citizen co -responsibility against pets. But it is also a reflection of cultural change that drives the economy of animal welfare.
Behind the Ruac there is a systemic vision. From a public policy perspective, registration allows you to identify responsible tutors, establish medical care protocols and promote responsible tenure practices. From the economic angle, it opens the door to personalized services based on data (insurance, preventive health, training, food, specialized products) that depend on a technological infrastructure still incipient, but with exponential growth potential.
And this is where technology enters the scene more clearly. Ruac is not just a database. If properly structured (with interoperability, protection of personal data and connectivity) it can become the catalyst of a digital ecosystem of smart services for pets, from products based on technology for the welfare of pets (PET-TECH startups) to remote veterinary care platforms or identification systems whose record can feed an innovation network that benefits animals, people and companies alike.
It is not simply to label dogs and cats, but to recognize that, in the contemporary city, interspecie links are part of the economic and social fabric, since ignoring this reality is equivalent to underestimating a market and, moreover, a dimension of citizenship that already demands rights, representation and services.
In addition, the Ruac does not operate in a vacuum. Its implementation coincides with an international trend of recognition of animals as subjects of law. Mexico has taken a bolder step because, in 2022, the constitution of Mexico City was modified to recognize animals as “sensory beings”, not objects. This changes legal logic: it is no longer about protecting them for their instrumental value, but for their intrinsic value.
From business optics, this represents an obligation and an opportunity. The brands that integrate animal welfare criteria in their value chain (from the design of products to their advertising) are aligning with a more conscious and demanding society. Investing in services, technologies or products that promote a more respectful relationship with animals is not only a matter of social responsibility, but it is a strategy of positioning in a market that values ethics as much as innovation.
But there are also challenges. The implementation of Ruac must overcome technical, budgetary and social obstacles. Registration must be accessible, reliable and useful for citizens, avoiding falling into simple state control. The key is to build trust through tangible benefits, such as medical care, recovery of lost animals, traceability in cases of abuse, access to preferential services, among others.
