Over 120 Abandoned Animals Discovered Among Rubble Following Camp Eviction in Cerrillos: Urgent Assistance Requested by Organizations

Original article: Más de 120 animales abandonados entre los escombros tras desalojo de campamento en Cerrillos: organizaciones piden ayuda urgente y acusan al Estado

Camp Eviction in Cerrillos: Over 120 Animals Abandoned Among the Rubble

As the operation initiated on November 9 enters its final phase, animal protection organizations and volunteers are tirelessly working to rescue, provide veterinary care, and find shelters for dogs, cats, and other species abandoned amidst the debris. These groups are urgently requesting financial support, food, medicine, and both temporary and permanent homes for the animals.

Statement from: Grupo Aperradas and Fundación Aperradas INC; Grupo Manada La Vulca and Fundación Manada La Vulca (Los Vulcanitos); Fundación Corazón de Gato; and Grupo Amor y Respeto Animal along with Fundación Amor y Respeto Animal

The eviction of the America Indigenous Camp, also known as the Nuevo Amanecer settlement, located in Cerrillos, Metropolitan Region, is nearing completion, leading to a crisis affecting over a hundred animals that were left behind during the demolition of homes. In a public statement, animal protection organizations condemned the state for failing to take effective responsibility for their protection, with civil society groups now conducting the rescue operations.

The operation began on November 9, 2026, coordinated by the Metropolitan Presidential Delegation, with assistance from Carabineros and the Municipality of Cerrillos. According to the provided information, the first phase involved the intervention of approximately 2.8 to 3 hectares, impacting between 262 and over 300 structures and recovering land. An estimated 816 people were affected by the procedure, which was carried out under judicial orders due to landslide risks and for the expansion of Route 78.

Over 120 Animals Abandoned Among the Rubble

One of the most serious issues reported involves the consequences of heavy machinery entering the area to demolish homes. During these operations, numerous animals were left behind, resulting in cases of injured and dead animals. The declaration estimates that more than 120 animals, including dogs and cats, have been left in this dire situation.

Organizations warn that there was a pre-existing count of about 117 animals, consisting of 54 dogs, 52 cats, and other species, alongside municipal calls for their relocation. However, they allege that their protection and rescue were not guaranteed before the machinery advanced. Currently, volunteer rescue groups are entering the affected areas to extract animals from the rubble, provide veterinary care, and find them temporary shelters. The emergency, they stress, is overwhelming and requires immediate community support.

The operations are being coordinated by four groups: Grupo Aperradas and Fundación Aperradas INC; Grupo Manada La Vulca and Fundación Manada La Vulca (Los Vulcanitos); Fundación Corazón de Gato; and Grupo Amor y Respeto Animal along with Fundación Amor y Respeto Animal. These organizations are directly addressing the tasks of extraction, rescue, care, and protection of the animals, calling for collaboration to meet the needs they face on the ground.

Urgent Call for Collaboration: Food, Homes, and Financial Contributions

The public statement requests financial assistance, food, medicine, and both temporary and permanent homes for the rescued animals. Ways to help include adopting one of the abandoned animals, providing food, blankets, and medications, making monetary donations, and spreading the call for help to widen the support network.

For those who can provide material contributions, these should be directed to the Municipal Swimming Pool, located at Avenida Aeropuerto 7081, Cerrillos. Specifically needed items include blankets, cat scratchers, harnesses, food, deworming medications, and other essentials for animal care.

Regarding monetary donations, the statement identifies Fundación Aperradas INC as the recipient of funds. The provided bank details are: RUT 65.227.273-8, account No. 987697091 at Scotiabank. Contact email is fundació[email protected], and it is requested to explicitly state «Eviction» in the email subject.

To coordinate assistance and obtain information about the rescues, the following contacts are available: Claudia from Grupo Aperradas, +569 6845 0562; Caro from Manada La Vulca, +569 8232 8208; and Paulina from Fundación Corazón de Gato, +569 3283 4555.

The statement concludes with a call for community solidarity and participation, emphasizing that every contribution, temporary home, and action to raise awareness can make a significant difference in this emergency. «The animals cannot wait,» warn the groups, reiterating that rescue efforts are being conducted by animal protection organizations due to the lack of effective response from the state. «Help us help!» is the slogan they use to expand collaboration and ensure protection for the animals that survived the eviction.

View the complete statement at the following link (PDF)

Eviction of the America Indigenous Camp – Municipality of Cerrillos The state does not take responsibility for the abandoned animals. The work is being carried out by protection groups.

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