Homeless People and Their Dogs: discover the project that serves these loyal friends

Credit: disclosure

By: Dandara Franco – Lupa do Bem / Favela em Pauta

The Moradores de Rua e Seus Cães (Homeless People and Their Dogs) social project, founded in 2015, works to support homeless people and their pets. It works in 14 cities across Brazil, and one of them is Rio de Janeiro. 

The initiative took place when, on a working day that had everything to be an ordinary day, Eduardo Leporo had living proof that the cliché “a dog is a man’s best friend” has a meaning of strong bonds. Walking through the city of São Paulo, the photographer observed homeless people in the affectionate company of puppies. 

He realized that, for those who live in a vulnerable situation, finding one of these four-legged companions can mean helping them survive in the midst of so many absences – be it support, basic rights, affection or all the consequences that encompass being a person who suffers the extreme of neglect in our society.

Despite the difficulties of being on the streets, there is a meeting that many would say is “of souls” – after all, it is the match between two beings who understand how dark loneliness can be, but who find in each other the possibility of a new path. The chance of survival comes as a unique opportunity between homeless people and their animals. 

And, with this field of vision, the lens of the photographer, who is also known as Edu, went further and transformed a simple day into an extraordinary action: as he walked through the streets of São Paulo following his routine, the artist observed and analyzed how those individuals completely abandoned to their fate lived on the streets with animals, their source of company and protection. 

These homeless animal owners deny the possibility of temporary shelters for their dogs, since most shelter services for the homeless population do not have spaces for pets. In some shelters, the dogs are kept in a kennel outside, and abandoning the “dog-partners” is not an option. 

The process of studying and understanding this reality generated the idealization of the Civil Society Organization of Public Interest “Moradores de Rua e Seus Cães”, also known as MRSC, which has existed since 2015 and is currently present in 14 cities in Brazil. bringing support to those who, until then, believed they were invisible. 

“Each animal served, each snack delivered and each expression of gratitude is what keeps us going”, says Camila Azevedo de Paula, a lawyer who started in the project as a volunteer at the end of 2019 and, since 2020, assumes the position of coordinator at the MRSC of Rio de Janeiro. 

In addition to unity among employees, solidarity among those assisted also makes all the difference. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment within what we can offer, especially when we’re able to meet beyond expectations. It is nice to see the mobilization of those assisted, inviting others to receive help. In some neighborhoods we serve more than 30 animals, which doubles the number of people”, adds the lawyer. 

The coordinator also reports the difficulty in making the continuity of the actions financially viable. “The project lives on donations and receiving them is often difficult. We have a raffle going on to fund some animals that are under our responsibility in accommodation. We also count on the help of followers and brands, but we don’t always get that return. Because of this, the actions are being more sporadic, and before they were weekly”, she adds. 

How the project continues to help homeless people and their dogs

Currently, the social project carries out actions on an itinerant basis: they map the neighborhoods served to define the best route to follow. While they distribute snacks, hygiene items, clothes and blankets to the tutors, there is also veterinary care, with deworming and general care, from rabies vaccines to the donation of food, sachets, toys, collars and guides for the animals. 

But still, there are several difficulties that need to be faced on a daily basis, especially after the pandemic. 

In addition to the impact on donations – the main form that supports the project – the pandemic also brought a forced stop of activities that took place weekly. “Our dream was to get fixed partnerships for the castration of assisted animals. There is no support from the city hall in relation to the vulnerable or projects, we go after it on our own and this is tiring and discouraging. It is possible to join forces”, says Camila. 

She also says that she has a wish for the organization’s near future. “We have a list for neutering, nowadays we only have one per month, which was kindly provided by the veterinarian of one of the coordinators. Our biggest dream is to be able to neuter all the animals on the streets because that’s the only way we can control it”, he adds. 

Despite the setbacks, the resilience of the collaborators and the hope for a better future allowed the project to achieve another great achievement during these years of action: entry into Phomenta, which is an award for the Third Sector. 

“Our work of social support, delivery of meals, food and donations of four thousand basic baskets in two years, fit us into one of the SDGs”, said Eduardo, who concludes: “That was when we received the invitation to participate in the UN Global Pact Global! Our impact on society is in line with what the UN expects from OSCIPs”, he concluded. 

Contribute to the continuity of the project

Everyone can help the project stand on its feet, as all items are donated, both by volunteers and supporters, as well as by the brands and sponsors that help MRSC on this journey. Learn more about the project through the profiles on social networks: @Moradoresderuaeseuscaes and @mrscrio.