Volunteers promote animal welfare at a public shelter in Rio de Janeiro

It is estimated that Brazil has 30 million abandoned animals, according to a survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO), of which 10 million are cats and 20 million dogs. 

To try to change this reality, volunteers from Fazenda Modelo, a public animal shelter in Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, seek to provide quality of life and encourage adoption. The shelter is currently home to about 400 dogs and 400 cats. They arrive at the location in different ways. “There are people who drive in and play here, others play over the gate, but there are also those who arrive after seizures and reports of mistreatment”, explains Priscila Arrais, one of the oldest employees at the site. 

Therefore, the union of volunteers in favour of the shelter is essential, as the public authorities provide space, food and veterinary treatment. “We offer the extra,” she adds.

Volunteer work 

Concerned about their well-being, volunteers focus on socializing animals that arrive scared. “We let the public know about visiting the animals, walking with them and petting them because we have to show animals that human beings are good. Unfortunately, it is not just the employees who will be able to do this, because the day-to-day life of a public shelter requires many activities, including cleaning and care.” 

This work is carried out by around 40 permanent volunteers who meet every Saturday, in addition to visitors, as the people who come to the shelter to help sporadically are called. 

With the planning of employees, collective bathing sessions are organised once a month. “We managed to bathe all the dogs in the last joint efforts”, says Priscila. On these occasions, the volunteers are divided into groups: some shampoo, others bathe, and the last one is responsible for drying. 

Another group of volunteers are the trainers, who meet every Monday. “One of them is a friend of mine and helped socialize a dog that showed aggressive behaviour after adoption. Then, I started talking about the Fazenda, and he started going weekly. As he also teaches dressage classes, he started taking students. There were days when we had 10 trainers at the same time.”

Construction of the park 

Thinking about the animals’ quality of life, Priscila raised funds to build a park, an outdoor space where they are released; however, the space was small and could not accommodate all the dogs at the shelter. 

Thus, another crowdfunding was created to build three other parks, in areas that were not used at Fazenda Modelo. The goal of R$10,000 has already been reached, but the crowdfunding remains active to cover extra expenses with materials. “We also thought about asking for donations from companies to make some agility toys for the dogs with more energy so we can release them there.” 

“We know that many will die inside the shelter, we cannot adopt all the animals. So we want to improve their quality of life while they live there,” she explains.

Adoption fairs 

To encourage donations, fairs are held. “We don’t have the structure for this, but we try to encourage the city hall to do it and we go as volunteers, but we encourage adoption through Instagram of Fazenda Modelo volunteers.” 

The last action carried out by the city hall took place in December when four dogs were donated at two fairs. Currently, adoptions take place through volunteers’ Instagram campaigns. Those interested in an animal must fill out a form and subsequently undergo an interview via WhatsApp. 

All animals over 4 months old are delivered neutered, vaccinated and with an identification microchip.

Love for animals 

Collaborating at Fazenda Modelo since 2017, Priscila Arrais admits that she started volunteering after the death of her dog. “When I got pregnant, I stayed at the kennel door until I was 9 months old, guiding the volunteers. I came back as soon as the doctor approved.” 

Outside of volunteering, caring for animals also represents another love story in her life: “My husband and I met walking dogs; they are our cupids”, she adds. 

For Priscila, one of her biggest dreams is for the place to become, in fact, a model: “People have to understand that it is possible to improve the lives of animals here, it is possible to carry out adoption campaigns. So, the people who You don’t have to do this for accommodation. Providing quality of life while they wait for adoption is my greatest desire”, he concludes.

Want to support this cause? 

Every Saturday, volunteers get together to care for the animals. If you want to volunteer, just go to Estrada do Mato Alto, 5.620 in Guaratiba. 

Donations can be made via PIX: sonhoparcao@gmail.com. 

Follow the Instagram of the volunteers, for adopting cats, and the godmothers of Fazenda Modelo.