Willett helps the gatos and perros at southernmost animal shelter in the world

Written by Bruce Willett
Monday, 02 November 2009 06:21

I had my first introduction to the “The Dog Pound,” as the one in Ridgefield was called, in the 70s. My father took me one spring Saturday back in 1978 to visit the dogs on South Street.

I was saddened to see all those dogs in cages waiting for their owners, to be adopted out or euthanized. Many owners didn’t make the effort or had simply dumped them.

But a dedicated group of volunteers and the dog warden Gail Roberts gave care, love and exercise. Every weekend after, I made it to the shelter. In addition to my own springer dog, Tory, I had my friends: Floyd, Bob, Rocky, Tank, etc.

Jumping ahead 30 years I find myself at “La Protectora” in Punta Arenas, Chile.

One of the things many tourists notice when arriving in Chile is the large quantity of stray dogs especially in Punta Arenas, a beautiful coastal city in Patagonia. I noted this immediately when arriving in 1999.

It is a little chaotic to have all these animals wandering around, and if people are not outwardly cruel, they are very neglectful. Many of these, in fact, had owners but are left to their own devices. When people tire of the grown puppy, they dump them on a street far from home or out in the country.

Though many of strays appear accustomed and healthy, maybe a little shaggy, numerous cases exist of horrible injuries, poisoning, neglect, sickness and starvation. Many dumped dogs don’t know how to survive on the streets. Does anybody really care about these animals and are they always left to their own devices?

No! The Chilean federal and local governments do not regularly provide animal control services. In cases of dangerous animals the police might take action; injuries and neglect sometimes will be dealt with by a caring police officer. But in most cases these are left to individuals or kindhearted veterinarians. Some years the municipality and health department will basically do a round up and will be put to sleep, usually before the tourist season. There are poisonings but this is illegal in Chile.

Several small scale spay/neuter programs are financed by the government but are too small to make a difference. For many years, the over-population problem has been exhaustively discussed at all levels with no long term solution.

Yes. In Punta Arenas we have “La Protectora” operating a shelter where I am an active volunteer. We are the southern-most animal shelter in the world and have more than 100 dogs and eight plus cats. We are a legal Chilean non-profit and work with local government on education and sterilization programs. Though we are a very small organization with literally a handful of supporters and volunteers operating in a large city we are making strides.

The cooperation of several veterinarians provides low cost medical services, discounted spay/neuter and dignified euthanasia. With the help of the police we can respond to cruelty and neglect cases. Though we are a little run down, most of our animals are not locked in cages and run around free in several pens, playing and sometimes fighting.

One project provides education curriculum on the responsibility of pet ownership. In another, we host a group of high school students from the local schools who are obligated to volunteer in order to graduate.

Former Ridgefielder Bruce Willett, who was recently in town on a visit, may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or chileaustral.com/perros.