The death of Eduardo Groh Riemersma, known as “El Polaco”, left a deep sadness among those who for years accompanied his fight for animals. But it also raised a concrete concern: what will happen now with El Montecito de los Canichones and the hundreds of dogs living in the shelter he founded and built into his lifelong project.
According to information published this Thursday by media outlets in Santiago del Estero, the place currently shelters more than 600 dogs. The figure gives a sense of the daily task involved in sustaining the shelter and the importance of ensuring its continuity.
The future of the shelter after El Polaco
El Montecito de los Canichones operates on a property located on Ruta Nacional 16, in La Banda, Santiago del Estero, and its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for dogs that were abandoned or subjected to abuse. This is how the organization defines it on its official site.
For years, Eduardo Riemersma was the main figure behind that operation. While he had a team of caregivers who helped with daily tasks, close associates and volunteers explained that a large part of the responsibilities fell personally on him.
Among other duties, “El Polaco” managed donations, obtained and purchased food, transported animals to the veterinarian, supervised treatments, and kept an eye on the particular needs of each dog.
He also participated directly in the maintenance of the property and construction and the preparation of the spaces where the animals lived.
That is why his death immediately raised a question among those who know how the shelter operates: who will take on all that work?
From the surroundings, they assure that the shelter will continue
Amid the initial uncertainty, one certainty emerged: the intention is for El Montecito de los Canichones to keep operating.
One of the lawyers who worked with Riemersma on various animal-mistreatment cases explained that the shelter functions as a civil association, so there are other people connected to the board who could assume the necessary responsibilities to guarantee its continuity.
From the shelter’s circle, they also affirmed that they will continue working to protect both the animals and the space that “El Polaco” built.
However, there are still concrete questions to be defined, especially given the size of the place and the number of dogs that require daily attention.
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Angel
I write about fashion with a personal eye for detail, elegance, and real-life style. Through Angel’s Boutique, I share honest reviews, boutique finds, and style notes for women who want inspiration that feels feminine, modern, and easy to make their own.