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Dr. Erika Flores is a veterinarian who has been on the tront line for animals in various parts of the world for many years. Prior to joining IFAW, she worked for several years in the Wildlife Division of the Environment and Natural Resources Secretary where later she became the Coordinator of "San Cayetano" Wildlife Research and Conservation Center.

Erika joined IFAW's team in 2010 to support the companion animals project on the island of Cozumel, providing advice in shelter medicine and helping the staff of the Humane Society of Cozumel in their rescue and adoption programs. Then, she continued the expansion of IFAW's work in Playa del Carmen where she started collaborations and agreements with local NGOs, DVM associations and authorities to promote responsible care of companion animals and with protocols such as good practices in high quality

and high volume Spay and Neuter in dogs and cats.

The work with IFAW's current partner Coco's Animal Welfare has been particularly important, where in a joint effort we assist 14,000 animals average per year, empowering community members to be part of the solution when animals need it. Now collaborating at the State and Federal level, with Animal Welfare and Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness for animals.

Today, Erika is IFAW's Animal Rescue Manager and responder in case of a natural disaster in the region and part of the global DRRR team, she has deployed to help animals after earthquakes in Mexico, flooding in the State of Quintana Roo, hurricane devastation in Dominica and Bahamas and she has been providing COVID-19 emergency assistance within Playa del Carmen.

She is also the coordinator of IFAW's Casitas Azules project which promotes jaguar and marine turtles' conservation thrOugh community engagement promoting improved care and management of community animals.