For more than two decades, a team has been fighting against animal abandonment in Puebla and transforming the lives of hundreds of stray dogs
By Miriam González
In the streets of Mexico, where millions of stray dogs survive without protection, there is a place that embodies care and love for them: Refugio Chipilo. This space is more than a shelter; it is the sum of a conviction born from love for animals, a true home where every life matters, and human dedication can mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of abandoned and mistreated dogs.
With over 20 years of operation, this shelter was born from the impossibility of avoiding animal suffering in a country with a tough reality: Mexico leads Latin America in stray dog population, with an estimated 28 million dogs — about 70% of them living on the streets, according to data from the Mexican Association of Veterinary Specialists in Small Species (AMMVEPE).
The situation is similar in other Latin American countries. In Peru, there are more than 6 million stray or abandoned dogs and cats, a third of them concentrated in Lima, according to animal welfare organizations as WUF and Voz Animal. And in Brazil, according to Statista data for 2024, it is estimated that there are approximately 2.9 million dogs in vulnerable conditions or living on the streets.
Faced with this reality, the story of Refugio Chipilo is also the story of those who have decided not to look the other way. At the center of this effort is José Antonio Llarena, who describes his journey as something that is not chosen, but rather felt from the very beginning: “There was never really a founding moment for this shelter — you are simply born with love for animals. The motivation to continue is that I don’t have the heart to see little animals suffer. Furthermore, it’s important to understand that in Mexico, stray dogs are an enormous social problem that requires the combined efforts of everyone to be addressed”, José explains.
Daily Routine and the Value of Each Life
From very early, when many are still sleeping, José begins a routine at 6:30 AM, brooms and dustpans move tirelessly to clean every corner and welcome the 184 dogs that make this place their temporary home. It’s not just about cleaning or feeding, but about the daily details of affection; the constant attention brings a dignified life to these dogs, many of whom have deeply wounded souls and bodies. In Mexico, being a stray dog means facing a constant battle, but the shelter fights with the conviction that each life has a unique and irreplaceable value.
It’s impossible to talk about Refugio Chipilo without remembering Perla, a little dog who arrived with a broken spine and no sensation in the lower part of her body, caused by abuse. Perla has been at the shelter for seven years, where she receives special care, such as protective gloves for her hind paws to prevent further injuries. Perla’s story symbolizes not only the act of saving a life but also the unwavering commitment to protect and love regardless of the difficulties. In a country where the number of abandoned dogs seems endless, the shelter recognizes that each dog saved is an entire world, and its mission goes beyond being just a shelter: it is an act of dignity and unconditional love.
Challenges, Solidarity and a Call to the Community
The shelter’s work would not be possible without the daily struggle against a lack of resources and institutional abandonment. Not receiving government support, it depends exclusively on the solidarity of private donors and companies that believe in the cause. However, the true driving force of Refugio Chipilo is the people who open their hearts and hands to help, who donate their time, resources, or visibility through social media. It is a community effort in which every bit of support, however small, adds up and makes it possible for the dogs to have food, medical care, and above all, a safe space where they can recover and wait for a better future. The shelter invites everyone to be part of this chain of solidarity, as it considers that the ethical treatment of animals is essential for social well-being and planetary balance.
Refugio Chipilo not only offers a roof, but is an invitation to empathy and a call to build a more just and complete society, where love for animals reflects the respect and care for others, regardless of species. In the long term, the dream is that this cause continues, that new generations take over, and more hands and hearts join this daily struggle. Ultimately, each life saved at Refugio Chipilo is a small victory that brings us closer to a more humane, compassionate and hopeful Mexico.
You can help by joining the activities organized by the shelter through their social media (Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook). It is also very easy to contact the founder, José Antonio Llarena, directly on his social media or via email at allarenaoz@yahoo.com.
