In the capital city of Buenos Aires, roughly three million residents share the streets with half a million dogs that are properly cared for. Yet there are also thousands of community dogs roaming the urban landscape, often abandoned by families struggling to feed them. Here, wealth and hardship mingle in plain sight. Some dogs travel in packs, guarded by human stewards who treat them with care; others move through the city as emblems of overlooked resilience, forming a quiet chorus of canine life amid the bustle.
One such caretaker is a man named Juan Pablo. He previously worked for Movistar, lost his job, and redirected his energy toward pet care under the pressure of economic strain. When owners go away, their dogs stay in their small apartments, and his daily duty becomes walking them through the neighborhood and parks. On some days, he leads a small troop at once—five, seven, or more dogs—though municipal guidelines allow up to eight dogs of comparable size to be walked together. Juan Pablo tends to keep his groups modest, often moving through the morning with just five dogs nearby, carefully orchestrating each stroll.
No parasites or fleas
Some observers claim that walking dogs is not a legitimate job. Yet the reality is more complex: a walker can earn more than seven hundred euros a month if the schedule begins early and runs smoothly. On this particular morning, he is joined by Jeremías, who plans to enter this line of work to support his law studies. Juan Pablo is selective about his charges, suggesting a more experienced partner if a dog shows discomfort after the third lap. His priority is to ensure that dogs return home free of parasites or fleas, and that their owners keep up with required vaccinations.
Patience is essential. Picchihos must move with a studied rhythm, never lagging behind, never tugging on collars, and never barking or signaling through their body language in a way that disrupts the group. Above all, the walker must establish authority. He leads the dogs from their homes and charts improvised routes through the Colegiales and Belgrano neighborhoods. He maintains control with a firm grip on the leashes while keeping a second hand free to collect waste in plastic bags, a routine shared by many in the city who strive to keep streets clean.
Official data from the city indicate that there are about 26 piles of dog poop every 100 meters in certain districts, a reminder of the ongoing cleanliness challenges in dense urban areas. Not so long ago, the problem seemed overwhelming: vast sums were spent to address it. Over time, most dog owners began to clean up after their pets, and walkers became more mindful of public space. Still, a portion of walkers continues to grapple with the task. Juan Carlos is part of a hygienist association that advocates for responsible pet care and public health practices.
Feeding a medium-sized dog is not a trivial expense for many Argentines. Last year, the average monthly outlay covered food, veterinary care, grooming, and related items. Paying for a walker adds another line to the budget. Inflation has risen sharply, pushing up prices for goods and services. The national minimum wage translates into a modest middle-class threshold, underscoring how daily routines like dog walking fit into broader economic realities for households across the country.
Meanwhile, a different social story unfolds. While many pets enjoy protective care, a growing number of people experience street-level hardship. The city records a visible population of individuals sleeping rough, with authorities reporting lower figures than some independent estimates. Studies from local universities highlight rising food insecurity over the past decade. In 2011, a smaller share of households faced food insecurity, yet by 2021 the shares had climbed. Recent surveys show that a majority of residents have reduced portion sizes during meals due to tight budgets, and a notable portion of people have experienced hunger at some point. These realities echo across neighborhoods where the bond between caretakers and their canine wards is most evident, a reminder that urban life intertwines human and animal welfare in unexpected ways. A poignant observation from a local caretaker reflects the broader social texture: some Argentines live the day-to-day life of pets, not by choice but by circumstance, and the compassion shown toward animals often mirrors the compassion sought for people in need.