Humanimal is a combination word—putting human and animal together—evoking one ecosystem, one shared responsibility. As Surfers for Strays co-founder Thalia Muñoz Ritenour puts it, “Caring for animals, protecting the environment and strengthening community connection are not separate causes. They’re the same cause. That’s the idea behind our festival. Celebrating that oneness. We get many aspects of the community involved, painting surfboards, skateboarding, dancing, reading, surfing, practicing yoga, learning and having fun. In doing all that, we’re raising consciousness about our health, creativity and commitment, about our responsibilities as humans in this world. The byproduct of making those connections is that if we take care of our ocean, our earth and our animals, we can take care of ourselves. If we can take care of ourselves, we can take care of our animals, our earth and our ocean. It’s all one thing.”
Photo courtesy of Surfers for StraysSurfers for Strays began in early 2017 when Thalia and Isabel Velasco [the owner of La Mexicana, a popular restaurant in Troncones] rescued a mother dog and her puppies. In reaching out to friends to find homes for the puppies, the pair realized they had a network—locally and throughout the west coast of the United States—that could help place the stray dogs that pop up at the surf spots and villages along the coast. That a-ha moment has grown into a wide-reaching all-volunteer rescue, care and education effort that now reaches from Zihuatanejo to Rio Nexpa, and beyond.
Thalia explains the surfer connection to the strays and the quick growth of the organization, in saying, “It’s so beautiful here. Everybody is so nice. But then you see the amount of suffering these strays go through. It’s a tremendous problem. The least we can do, those of us who are here enjoying the beauty, the waves, is help the animals get proper care, proper homes. We’ve grown by doing that, and we’ve attracted more and more volunteers who want to help—from local resident Pato Azulita, who’s created an art program for kids, to members of the international Workaway community, who come and work with us for room and board, staying for a month or two, sometimes more.”
Pato is a big piece of the Surfer for Strays puzzle according to Natalie. “He named us, and he’s been doing kids’ education with us since we started—teaching about the environment and its creatures through art and through yoga and surfing. The kids get engaged in that, by having fun. They also learn how they can make a difference. They learn how to take care of the creatures they have in this region. Not just the domesticated ones, but the wild ones, too. That’s been our foundation—making compassion and stewardship feel normal, even cool. As kids grow up responsibly caring for the animals, the ocean and the land, long-term change becomes possible.”
MEXI LEONES/HUMANIMAL FEST 2026
This year’s festival—officially known as Mexi Leones/Humanimal Fest—is developing a schedule of events set on creating that same type of engagement. A mix of activities and people. Live music. Skate and surf events. Conservation talks. Educational booths. An auction featuring donated art, experiences and gear. Representatives from other local animal-welfare and environmental groups. Families. Travelers. Locals. Expats. Curious onlookers.
Photo courtesy of Surfers for StraysThe proceeds support two main efforts—youth education programs and spay-and-neuter campaigns. Thalia points out, “Both are long-term investments. Sterilization reduces the number of animals born into hardship. Education builds a culture of care that lasts longer than any single rescue.”
Proceeds will also advance a larger Surfer for Strays project—a community-based sanctuary and education space in Saladita. Not a traditional animal shelter, but a place where clinics, training, education and community gatherings can happen. A dog park. A neuter clinic. A locale for workshops, for kids’ programs. A space where people can volunteer, learn and contribute. The goal is to build something slowly and collaboratively, in partnership with local residents, so that it becomes part of the community rather than an external intervention.
That approach matters, especially since outsiders’ initiatives in any community oftentimes feel imposed and forced. Thalia is addressing that by working through relationships, education and local partnerships. She says, “Our Humanimal Fest is part of that process—bringing people together in a shared space where helping feels natural rather than obligatory. It’s a fundraiser, and it’s also a place where people who care about animals, environment, and culture can meet, listen to music, learn something and contribute.”
Photo courtesy of Surfers for StraysThe event began modestly in 2023—a few friends and some Surfer for Strays supporters gathering for a good time—with good intentions. The name “Mexi Leones Fest” was a riff on the MexiLogFest longboard surf competition that’s popped in and out of Saladita a few times over the last nine years. The name also included the compelling draw of Leones Negroes, a talented reggae-and-poetry music project from Querétaro which provided the music the first year. This year, the Leones are back, playing in Saladita on Saturday night and in Zihua on Sunday night. One month out, other participants are still signing on, with Thalia reaching out to organizations who can add to the event, including those with expertise in caring for turtles, crocodiles, bays, rivers, oceans, and what it means to live responsibly in a place that is both beautiful and fragile.
Humanimal Fest is not a polished, corporate fest. That’s part of the point. As Thalia describes it, “Festivals can be strange hybrids. Part celebration, part fundraiser, part awareness campaign. Humanimal Fest embraces that. It’s not trying to be sleek. It’s trying to be real. A little messy. A little improvised. Very heartfelt. There’s something fitting about raising money for animal welfare and environmental education through music and community gatherings. You know, people come here for the waves and the sunsets. They stay for connection. Many end up wanting to give back in some way. Humanimal Fest offers a way to do that without making it feel heavy. Come for the music. Stay for the cause. Bring your kids. Bring your friends. Bring an auction item if you have one. Volunteer if you can. Donate if you’re able. Or just show up, listen, learn, and be part of the energy.”
Photo courtesy of Surfers for StraysThalia makes it easy to say “OK” to all that. Her enthusiasm and passion are boundless, and her Surfers for Strays project gets proven results. Yes. Good music. Good vibes. Good cause. Three nights in three different locations. It’s a lot. But why not? It’s a good time. There’s even a dogs-riding-surfboards surf contest in Saladita on Saturday at 10 am.
SCHEDULE FOR MEXI LEONES/HUMANIMAL FEST 2026
Festival Humano March 20, 21 & 22
Troncones • La Saladita • Zihuatanejo
Surf • Skate • Rescue • Reggae n Rock
Day 1—Troncones (Friday, March 20)
Skate Jam • Turtle Education • VIP Gala
Skate Jam Troncones
Open Category—4:00 PM
Demos & Dynamics until 7:00 PM
Turtle Education for Kids
Afternoon coastal conservation session.
Sunset Turtle Release Ceremony.
VIP Gala – La Mexicana Restaurante
6 pm—Arrival & Check-In (Music with Jossy)
6–7 pm—Silent Auction
7–8 pm—Dinner & Live Auction
8–9:30 pm—Special Acoustic Performance by Grammy-Winning Artist
Proceeds benefit GATIX Spay & Neuter Programs
Day 2—La Saladita (Saturday, March 21)
Surf • Kids • Yoga • Skate • Music
8 am—Kids Surfing Lesson (Catcha Las Olas y Mexcali)
10 am—Dog Surfing Contest
Noon—Farm School Activities (TBA)
3 pm—Yoga with Helen at Hacienda (for kids & parents)
Skate Jam Mini Rampa at Hacienda Plaza
4–7 pm—Women & Kids Categories + Open Continuation
Music by Pepe Rebel
Sunset—Palo Mango Live
Peace Circle Dances before & after
7 pm—Surfer for Strays Movie Presentation
7:30 pm—Skalibur (special musical guests)
9 pm—Leones Negros (musical headliners)
Ticket sales support Surfers For Strays rescue & education programs
Day 3—Zihuatanejo (Sunday, March 21)
Community Action • Youth Creativity • Skate Finals • Closing Concert
10 am—Yoga at Loot
11 am—Garage Sale at Loot
Beach Clean-Up at Las Gatas (Time TBA)
Whale Conservation Event (Time TBA)
Paper Maché Workshop with Jessy Alvandandos (Time & Location TBA)
SkateJam Clausura—Parque Extremo de Zihuatanejo
4–6:30 pm—Finals & Awards Ceremony
7 pm—Leones Negros Closing Concert
Proceeds benefit SPAZ, Por Los Animales & Amigos de los Animales
LINK
https://www.surfersforstrays.org