In early 2025, as deadly wildfires swept across south-central Chile, the impact on both people and animals was devastating. In the Biobío and Ñuble regions, a state of catastrophe was declared as the flames destroyed homes, forced mass evacuations and left communities struggling to cope with the aftermath. In the city of Penco and neighboring areas, the sight of burned neighborhoods and displaced families was matched by another tragedy that often receives less attention: the suffering of companion animals and other animals caught in the disaster. In this setting, Humane World for Animals stepped in with a specialized disaster response team to provide urgent animal rescue and emergency veterinary care.

According to the organization’s account, responders arrived in late January, shortly after the worst of the fires had been brought under control. The team began with a field assessment, working closely with local authorities to understand the scale of the damage and the specific animal-related needs in communities across the Biobío region. The situation they encountered was deeply distressing. People were returning to the charred remains of their homes, sifting through rubble and ash. Many animals were discovered injured beneath debris, while others had fled the flames and were found wandering, disoriented and trying to return to homes that no longer existed.

Daniela Benavides, country director for Chile, described how residents were desperately searching for their animals, hoping to find a beloved dog or cat alive in the wreckage. For those who managed to escape with their animals, the challenges were far from over. Many families had lost everything including their cars and had no way to transport injured animals to veterinary clinics. People staying in temporary shelters were fearful of being separated from the animals who were their companions and sources of comfort. Their primary concern quickly became access to veterinary care and basic supplies so their animals could recover and stay safe.

In response, the Humane World for Animals team coordinated with the municipalities of Penco and Hualpén to organize targeted support. They conducted animal search and rescue operations in the most affected neighborhoods, offering immediate aid to injured or stranded animals. The team distributed essential supplies such as pet food, leashes, identification tags and other basic items that many families had lost in the fires. They also helped connect families with veterinary care, particularly in communities like Rios de Chile, Geo Chile and Penco Chico, where transportation and infrastructure had been severely disrupted.

Humane World for Animals

Felipe Márquez Muñoz, disaster response program manager for Latin America, reported being left breathless by the scale of the destruction in southern Chile. Local systems were overwhelmed. Veterinary clinics, municipal offices and volunteer networks were stretched thin trying to address the needs of both people and animals. In that context, Humane World for Animals made it a priority to ensure that animals received urgent care and protection, recognizing that supporting animals is also a vital part of helping communities recover after a disaster.

The wider human toll from the Chile wildfires was significant. Authorities reported fatalities and more than 50,000 people forced to evacuate around Penco and Concepción. Over 350 homes were destroyed in those areas alone. In the midst of this emergency, municipal governments, universities, nongovernmental organizations and volunteers came together to establish a field veterinary hospital. This temporary facility treated burned and injured animals and provided a central point for coordinated care. More than 1,500 animals were reported treated there, highlighting both the scale of animal suffering and the dedication of those working to alleviate it.

Humane World for Animals

For its part, Humane World for Animals mobilized experienced responders from Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala. These were staff members trained in disaster management who could quickly adapt to challenging conditions. Their focus was not only on direct veterinary care but also on the special needs of temporary shelters that were housing families with their cats, dogs and other animals. By helping provide food, basic supplies and veterinary attention within or near these shelters, the team made it easier for people to stay united with their animals at a time when separation would have added further trauma.

Among the many stories that emerged from Penco, one in particular stood out to the response team. Marquez recalled meeting Cony, a local veterinary technician student, who evacuated with her mother, nine cats and three dogs. As they were fleeing the fire, Cony saw another cat nearby who seemed ill and in shock. Instead of continuing on, she turned back to rescue the terrified animal. Cony and her family ultimately lost their home and ended up in a temporary shelter with their animals. For them, staying together as a family that included their animals provided emotional support during the hard work of rebuilding their lives. I found this detail striking because it underscores how deeply many people value their bonds with animals, even in the most frightening and uncertain moments.

Humane World for Animals

The experience in Chile is part of a broader pattern of work by Humane World for Animals, which specializes in disaster response for animals worldwide. The organization reports that in June 2025 it deployed a team to Oaxaca, Mexico, to assist communities affected by Hurricane Erick. In 2023 and 2024, it also helped in Mexico’s central Guerrero state after Hurricanes Otis and John. Beyond Latin America, the organization has responded to volcanic eruptions in Guatemala, earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador, Mexico and Türkiye, severe storms in India, Haiti, Costa Rica, South Africa, Mozambique and the United States, as well as wildfires in Australia and previous fires in Chile. It has also provided support to animals affected by the war in Ukraine.

These efforts go beyond immediate crisis response. Humane World for Animals emphasizes that it invests in long-term preparedness, mitigation and recovery. That can include training local partners, helping communities plan for the care and evacuation of animals and strengthening systems so that future disasters do not catch people and animals completely unprepared. The organization’s work in Penco and surrounding communities reflects this approach. By collaborating with municipal authorities, universities, veterinarians and volunteers, it supports not just short-term relief but also the foundations of a more resilient future for animals and the people who care about them.

The wildfires in southern Chile left scars that will take years to heal. Yet alongside the images of burned landscapes and lost homes, there are also accounts of cooperation, compassion and determination. Local residents, officials, students and organizations like Humane World for Animals worked together to provide emergency veterinary care, safe shelter and essential supplies for animals who otherwise might have been forgotten. Stories like Cony’s rescue of that one frightened cat serve as reminders that in the midst of catastrophe, acts of care for animals are also acts of care for the human spirit. Read more at https://www.humaneworld.org/en/news/animals-care-deadly-fires-penco-chile-cat-dog