By recycling plastic caps, a project supports the neutering of dogs and cats

Ecopet Tampas is a non-profit entity that works in favor of abandoned animals in various regions of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina’s capital. Founded in April 2017, it was inspired by another project called Engenharia Solidária, in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, but operating in a different way.

What the NGO does

With the mobilization of volunteers and supporters, Ecopet Tampas collects plastic caps and 100% of the amount collected is used for animal castration, which includes surgery and post-operative medications.

Through this initiative, according to the latest survey carried out by the NGO’s organizers, as of April 2021, the project covered 4,687 animals and 227 tons of plastic were removed from the environment, ensuring the appropriate destination for this material.

All this work was only possible with the engagement of many volunteers which, according to Ecopet Tampas administrators, is a collaboration that makes the difference. They mobilize people and suggest different alternatives on how they can be part of this journey. If everyone helps in some way, it is possible to support many animals, including the environment. But this work depends on all citizens.

Many people think that only PET bottle caps are accepted as donations, but they are not. Lids can be of different types and sizes, such as shampoo, milk bottle, chocolate milk, milk cartons, fabric softener, liquid soap, medicine packaging, detergent, margarine, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. 

To castrate an animal it is necessary to collect around 120 kilos of caps, this amount of plastic is equivalent to an entire car, without any passengers inside, so it takes the work of many.

How the castration process works

The priority is for homeless animals, especially females and, after being neutered, they generally remain with protectors until they recover from surgery and are placed for conscious and responsible adoption.

Criteria for castration

In addition to the neutering of stray animals, the project also benefits animals that are under the care of their owners. To have your animal neutered by Ecopet Tampas, you must sign up for a waiting list. 

To do this, those responsible must provide data such as proof of the family’s income, if it is a needy family, and a photo of the dog or cat. This list is managed by volunteers responsible for evaluating the granting of the benefit. Currently, Ecopet Tampas has 42 volunteers and the actions carried out by the NGO are the sole responsibility of these members. 

The program also has the support of some companies, such as collection points, which total of 497 locations, distributed in some of the regions of Florianópolis, such as Palhoça, São José, Biguaçu, Antônio Carlos, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Paulo Lopes, São Pedro de Alcântara and in the state capital.

How to help

• Become a volunteer. 
• Donate dog and cat food. 
• Or make a donation in kind through Pix 34911295000170 (CNPJ). 

You can also collaborate by following the page, liking, commenting and sharing the content. The animals thank you. And the environment too. For more information, get in touch via Facebook or Instagram. 

Collection points in Florianópolis 

From the time the interview was carried out until the day this article was published, there may have been changes in the numbers, more or less, as in the case of the number of volunteers and number of animals benefiting, for example.