In Paraguay, where thousands of stray dogs roam the streets of the country, a man has made it his mission to protect them. Carlos Ruiz, a 32 year-old police officer from the city Luque, near Asunción, works in the Lince Directorate’s Physical Education section, and dedicates his spare time to rescuing abandoned and abused dogs.
Where it all began
“Everything really started about five years ago, when I got married and adopted my first dog,” he starts. “That completely changed the way I am, my way of thinking, my way of seeing life. After seeing how I was able to give him a good life, I just could not walk past the suffering of other dogs.”
Carlos, who holds a degree in Sports Science, followed in the footsteps of his brother, who had also joined the police force. “He entered the academy first,” he explains. “I decided to try the exam, got in, and I have been part of the force ever since.”
“In the beginning, I used to take all the dogs I rescued home. When I ran out of space, I took them to my mother’s house. Later, I met a elderly woman called Eugenia, she lived in the same neighbourhood where our family’s small business was located and I noticed she had a lot of dogs, so I asked her if she could take care of some more, and I will cover all of the costs. She is the one who takes care of them every day now.”
The start of a refuge and a community
What began as a few rescues soon grew into a shelter known as The Pikilines Refuge (El Refugio de los Pikilines).
“The name comes from my dad,” Carlos explains. “He is a bus driver and has always loved animals. He used to bring dogs from the bus stop and call them ‘the pikilines’ (a word used as an endearment). I later realised that love for animals had always been there, I got it from him. Now everyone knows me as ‘the Pikilines rescuer’, it is like a registered mark.”
Together with Eugenia and a small team of volunteers, Carlos Ruiz now cares for around 50 dogs inside the refuge and nearly 60 more outside through a system he created called the Godparents Scheme, (Modalidad de Ahijados). Dogs that live with families, but still receive his team’s veterinary and food support.
According to Carlos, this model works very well “It is the same cost as keeping five sick dogs at the shelter, but this way, they can experience the warmth of a home and a family. And we are always there to help them.” This also encourages families to adopt and take care of the dogs, without having to worry about expenses.
United by care and purpose
Carlos says Paraguay still lacks public policies that protect animals. He notes that much of the work they do relies on individual effort and community support, rather than official assistance.
Visitors are welcome at the shelter, something Carlos believes helps both dogs and people.
“When people come and share time with them, the dogs become more sociable. It helps them adapt faster when they are adopted. People love the visits too.”
In addition the shelter conducts follow ups after adoption. Carlos and his team keep a complete record of each animal, including adoptions details and veterinary information. The voluntary staff of the shelter are responsible for managing adoptions, follow ups, and maintaining updated records. All medical checks are carried out at an associated clinic called Police Record Rescue (Registro de Policía Rescata), where every rescued animal’s case and medical history are registered.
A mission of compassion
Alongside his police work and rescues, Carlos is now in his third year of veterinary studies at the Technical University for Trade and Development in Fernando de la Mora, near Asunción.
“This came from my desire to one day offer my knowledge and time for free,” he says. “I do not want to keep asking for money, this is how I will help. Who better than a vet to help animals?”
His mission goes far beyond rescue. It is about building a culture of respect and care for animals in a country where awareness is still growing. Each dog he saves becomes a symbol of change, a reminder that compassion is contagious and that, with enough heart, one man can make an entire nation even kinder.
If you would like to follow Carlos’s journey, or help continue rescuing and caring for dogs in need, you can find El Refugio de los Pikilines on Instagram.
Also in Luque: Polki Squad, a volunteer-run shelter born after the Bañado Sur floods, rescues abandoned dogs and helps them find forever homes.
