The community of Quito is mourning the loss of a local icon, Max, a beloved dog known as the “lifelong president” of the Poliperros. Max passed away on April 6, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and a call for better protections for community animals within the city’s academic and public spaces.
Max was a fixture at the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN) campus, where he became a symbol of the bond between students and the animals that share their environment. His presence helped transform the campus into a space of care, paving the way for other animals to find safety and support within the university grounds.
The news of his passing has sparked a wave of emotion across social media, where students and animal welfare organizations have expressed their grief and highlighted the need for structured support systems for community dogs. The loss of Max serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of responsible care for animals that do not have a single home but are loved by an entire community.
The Legacy of Max and the Poliperros
Max was more than just a campus dog; he was the recognized leader of the Poliperros, a group dedicated to the care of dogs at the EPN. Through his presence, he fostered a culture of empathy among the student body and faculty, ensuring that the campus remained a welcoming environment for stray and community animals.
Following his death, the Unidad de Bienestar Animal Quito (UBA Quito) joined the Poliperros community in their grief, emphasizing the need for the campus to remain a space of care and protection via Instagram.
The emotional impact of his passing is evident in the tributes shared by those who knew him. Many students expressed that they discovered Max through the Poliperros page and developed a deep affection for him, viewing him as a permanent part of their university experience via Facebook.
Advocating for Responsible Community Dog Care
The passing of Max has brought renewed attention to the management of community dogs in Quito. The goal of establishing a manual for the responsible care of community dogs aims to provide a framework for how these animals should be fed, vaccinated, and monitored when they live in public or semi-public spaces like university campuses.
Community dogs, unlike pets, rely on the collective effort of a neighborhood or institution. This model of “community ownership” requires clear guidelines to ensure that the animals receive medical attention and that the humans interacting with them do so safely, and ethically.
The call for such a manual is driven by the desire to ensure that the “legacy” left by animals like Max results in systemic changes. By formalizing the care process, institutions can move from sporadic acts of kindness to a sustainable system of animal welfare.
Community Reaction and the Call for Action
While the community celebrates Max’s life, there has also been criticism regarding the response of authorities. Some community members have expressed that the silence from official channels regarding the welfare of campus animals is deafening, urging for a more proactive approach to animal rights and care within the EPN via Facebook.
In a heartfelt farewell video, Max was remembered as the “president of the Poliperros,” with a message stating that while he has moved on to “run free,” his heart remains with the community via Facebook.
Key Takeaways on Community Animal Welfare
- Community Care: Community dogs rely on a network of volunteers rather than a single owner for food and health needs.
- Institutional Role: Universities and public spaces can act as sanctuaries if they implement structured care manuals.
- Public Health: Responsible care includes mandatory sterilization and vaccination to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Emotional Impact: Animals like Max create a sense of belonging and empathy within academic environments.
The movement to implement a manual for responsible care in Quito represents a shift toward recognizing community animals as part of the city’s social fabric. As the community continues to honor Max, the focus remains on turning this grief into a tangible policy that protects the “Poliperros” and other community animals across the city.
For those looking to support animal welfare in Quito, official updates from the Unidad de Bienestar Animal Quito are the primary resource for guidance on community dog care and reporting animal needs.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on community animal management in the comments below. How does your city handle community pets?
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