Good bug

by Malu Echeverria

He swims better of than to take advantage of of the International Year of Voluntariado to turn a militant of the good. Who has - and owner - bug can make that in two ways: aiding entities that take care of lacking and abandoned animals or engaging the own" pet" as volunteer in projects of attended animal therapy, that he assists people sick or lonely. Know some of those institutions below:

International alliance of the Animal (Aila)

With a bus that works as veterinary clinic, Aila moves until lacking places to assist estimate bugs and to sterilize street animals. He/she also has service of accusation of ill-treatments to you encourage for telefone.

How to help: donating rations, surgical equipments and medicines for veterinary use, empty cartridges of printers (for sale) or money. Aila also needs voluntary veterinarians. Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2.927, Itaim Bibi, tel. 3167-6555 (www.aila.org.br).

Apasfa

Working 20 years ago, the Protecting Association of Animais São Francisco of Assis has a veterinary clinic for animals lacking or abandoned. The entity doesn't have shelter, but she assists at accessible prices.

How to help: associating and contributing monthly with any amount. The money is used in the purchase of medicines and maintenance of the clinic. R. Santo Elizeu, 272, Vila Maria, tel. 6955-4352 (www.apasfa.org).

Dog Therapist

The project, that it exists there are two years, it organizes weekly visits of animals and owners to children hospitalized with cancer. During one hour, the dogs, that go by a previous course of training, make tricks to amuse the patients.

How to help: ONG Cão Cidadão, that administers the project, accepts donations in money and volunteers with their dogs. R. Sílvio Portugal, 75, Pacaembu, tel. 9846-1294.

Co. of the Bug

He/she assists about 20 animals without owner, between dogs and cats. He/she welcomes of the streets, it sterilizes and it seeks" adoptive parents."

How to help: buying shirts (R$ 10) whose income is destined to the feeding of the animals or donating ration and medicines. R. Manuel Gonçalves Mão Cheia, 378, Jardim Previdência, tel. 3722-3011 (www.ciadobicho.com.br).

Pet Alegria

The group visits entities of treatment of bearers of deficiencies, orphanages and rest houses for seniors, taking dogs, cats, rabbits and skillful ferrets.

How to help: it accepts animals and owners to work voluntarily. Av. Sadae Takagi, 860, Jd. Cooperativa, tel. 4343-5000 (www.petmemorial.com.br).

PetSmile

In four years of existence, PetSmile and his/her team formed by cats, rabbits, birds and fish already visited more than 2.000 children. The project, maintained by 11 volunteers, he/she weekly assists day cares, schools and hospitals. The voluntary animals go by behavioral evaluations and of health. How to help: people and voluntary animals are welcome. R. Corumbá, 109, Sumaré, tel. 3865-2940.

Project Dog of the Senior

All of the weekends, the 30 volunteers of the project, accompanied of their dogs, they visit orphanages and homes of senior. Created there is little more than one year, the work bases on the moderated therapy for animals. Before becoming voluntary, the dog is submitted to behavioral exams and of health.

How to help: the organization is needing coordinators and of dogs and owners to expand the work. R. Guaratuba, 109, ap. 143, Jabaquara, tel. 5180-2027 (www.projetocao.com.br).

Project Pró-animal

It was founded in 15/08/1999 in São Leopoldo / RS as protection association to the animals. In his/her little time of performance it received about 200 dogs, 180 cats and eight equine. Many of these animals live today in new families, most of the animals was vaccinated, the female dogs almost all castrated.

How to help: the organization is needing godfathers for the dogs and voluntários.Caixa Postcard 296 - Highway of Paula's Hill, 3755. 93001-970 São Leopoldo / RS. Fone/Fax: (051) 501 29 44. E-mail: for-animal@sinos.net or http://www.proanimal.hpg.ig.com.br/index.htm

Back yard of San Francisco

Since 1961, the Back yard receives dogs and abandoned cats and it directs for adoption. Now, he/she is taking care of 800 animals, all sterilized by the own association.

How to help: he/she needs volunteers to give baths and to feed the bugs in the weekends and to work at adoption fairs. R. Humberto 1st, 183, Vila Mariana, tel. 5081-5446.

UIPA - International Union of Protection to the Animals

Uipa assists about 2.000 animals, between dogs and cats. Founded 55 years ago, it maintains a clinic that renders veterinary services to the community at reasonable prices.

How to help: overcrowded, the entity needs support for organization of fairs of adoption of nestlings; you/he/she also accepts donations of construction material and cleaning, foods and money. Av. President White Castle, 3.200, Fourth Stop, tel. 3326-5391.

Extracted of the Site www.dogtimes.com.br, 
text kindly given in by Mariana Saliola.