The site of the former Buen Pastor Women’s Penitentiary is to be converted into a temporary shelter for dogs and cats affected by flooding in Asunción and other cities across the country. The new facility will provide space for between 400 and 500 animals rescued from flood-affected areas.
The animals will receive dedicated attention and care while arrangements are made for their recovery and eventual adoption. This initiative is the result of an agreement signed between the Ministry of Justice and the National Directorate of Animal Defence, Health and Welfare.
Designated zones for animal care
Héctor Rubín, the Director of Animal Defence, explained that five distinct zones have been established within the premises. These areas are designed for the containment and treatment of the animals according to their specific needs.
“We will have a containment centre with different levels, for both cats and dogs, with levels of separation where they will be in quarantine”, Rubín stated.
In addition, the animals will have access to central patios for recreation during their stay at the shelter. The project also includes provisions for their castration, sanitation, and vaccination. These measures aim to improve their health conditions and prevent uncontrolled reproduction.
A call for public involvement
Speaking about the temporary shelter project, Senator Lizarella Valiente highlighted the importance of the initiative and called on the public to become involved in the protection and welfare of animals.
“This great project will be beneficial for all our animals. I want to thank all the officials and the public in general, because we must all unite to protect our animals”, Senator Valiente stated.
The project seeks to provide a direct response to the situation of animals that are left exposed or are displaced from their homes due to flooding. Ultimately, it offers a safe space until they can either be returned to their families or be guided through the adoption process.
Buen Pastor Women’s Penitentiary: 106 years of history
Earlier in 2026, the Ministry of Justice presented the exhibition Memories of the Buen Pastor: 106 Years of History (Memorias del Buen Pastor: 106 Años de Historia), an artistic and documentary journey that reinterprets the history of the former Women’s Penitentiary Centre.
While the Buen Pastor is now closed for penitentiary use, others around the city of Asunción are not. The government had announced last year that the Tacumbú Prison would be renovated. While the work is in progress, inmates are still incarcerated there.
