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The 10 best strategies in the humane management of dogs and cats.
Index Preface............................................................................................................................03 Bogotá - Colombia.....................................................................................................04 Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil........................................................ 14 São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil................................................................................ 22 Panama City - Panama.............................................................................................. 33 Criciúma - Santa Catarina - Brazil.........................................................................40 Curitiba - Paraná - Brazil...........................................................................................45 Ponta Grossa - Paraná - Brazil................................................................................. 53 Toluca - Mexico...........................................................................................................60 Venado Tuerto - Argentina........................................................................................66 Vinhedo - São Paulo - Brazil.................................................................................... 75
Preface World Animal Protection is a London based, global, non-governmental, animal welfare organization, that has worked for more than 50 years in animal welfare and protection. With 14 offices around the world and programs in more than 50 countries, it works on four main areas: Animals in Farming, Animals in Disasters, Animals in Communities, and Animals in the Wild. World Animal Protection is the only international NGO dedicated to animal welfare with consultative status at the UN, that works in collaboration with the OIE, and that has representation among European institutions. In 2019, World Animal Protection launched the 1st edition of the Animal Friendly Cities Award – Best Practices in Humane Companion Animal Management, with the support of the Federal Veterinary Council of Brazil (CFMV), the World Health Organization (OIE), the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/PANAFTOSA), the Animal Education and Control Institute (ITEC), and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Our pioneer purpose above all, was to identify and recognize good humane companion animal management initiatives in Latin American territory. To our satisfaction we received more than 120 initiatives and projects, from different municipalities across Brazil and Latin America. Our intention with this digital book is to disseminate the 10 winning projects of the 1st edition of the Animal Friendly Cities Award, which were selected by experts in humane companion animal management and public health, professionals chosen by the collaborating institutions.
This book showcases innovative and humane strategies that have been used by the winning LatinAmerican municipalities, in the hope that these can be adopted and replicated by other municipalities in the region and around the world. In this way we are contributing to an improved human-animal bond and disseminating valuable and innovative projects that envelop the “One-health” concept. We would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Rita de Cassia Maria Garcia (ITEC), Dra. Ellen van Nierop (WSAVA), Dr. Marco Vigilato (PAHO/PANAFOTSA) and Dr.Cássio Ribeiro (CFMV) that collaborated with this book, participating as judges and selecting the best strategies that make this book. We hope that this book inspires municipality workers and decision makers around Latin America, showing that it is possible to implement humane and sustainable programmes in diverse situations and regions in our continent. We know that there are numerous challenges for municipalities and that various municipalities are carrying out creative strategies to ensure the welfare of cats and dogs and promote a harmonious coexistence between people and animals, both in large and small cities. Do enjoy and disseminate this book to everyone. A solution to deal with dog and cat populations is not always easy, but we hope that you find ideas and inspiration in the following pages. Dr. Rosangela Ribeiro Gebara – Campaign Manager, Animals in Communities, World Animal Protection, Brazil Dr. Melania Gamboa – Scientific advisor, Animals in Communities, World Animal Protection, International
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Bogotรก
Colombia 4
Bogotá - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, with more than 7,000,000 inhabitants, stands out for its comprehensive animal welfare program and it was the first place recipient of the Animal Friendly City award. It is estimated that in Bogotá there are close to 920,000 dogs and 227,000 cats for a total of more than 1,148,000 animals who benefit from a public policy of animal protection and welfare.
Institute of Bogota´s Animal Protection and Welfare logo
Photo: Anti-cruelty squad taking care of a puppy.
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Bogotá - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
The variety of municipal programs aimed at domestic animals is broad and they include the participation of professionals from diverse backgrounds: ethologists (specialists in animal behavior), psychologists, police, firefighters and, of course, veterinarians. In this context, the municipal administration has to deal with animal hoarders and with people who live in the street and have companion animals. In addition, the community is involved, agreements and partnerships are signed with nongovernmental organizations, and technology is utilized. The comprehensive program for the welfare of companion animals of Bogotá includes sterilization and education regarding responsible pet ownership, an emergency program for sick dogs, an anti-cruelty squad, monitoring with microchips, and the mobile application Distrito Appnimal (Appnimal District, in English) that promotes responsible ownership and animal adoption. In addition, it boasts an animal control center with ethologists, a program for people
who live in the street with their pets, and the campaign “Step on the Brakes, an Animal Might Cross”, which seeks to diminish traffic collisions involving animals. To coordinate all of this work, the city has relied on its Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare since July of 2017.
Advertisement: Animal District application used to assist in the process adoption and to help identify stray or lost animals.
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BogotĂĄ - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats The comprehensive canine and feline sterilization program of the Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare provides this service completely free of charge to dogs and cats, both male and female. This program attends dogs and cats of adult citizens who reside in the city as well as dogs and cats in vulnerable situations, abandoned animals, ones who live in the street, ones whose owners lack adequate practices of responsible care (hoarders, elderly people, people with some kind of impairment), as well as feral and semi-feral animals. Service provided to animals of the second group is carried out by the technical team of the Institute, which uses the strategy of trap, neuter, and return (TNR).
by the anesthesia and to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also, all animals receive an identification microchip that is tattooed in their right ear and they are medicated with analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics. Postoperative monitoring and control is carried out on them for 10 to 12 days following the surgery. The public receives information about the procedure, the risks and benefits, and postoperative care.
Photo: Sterilization campaign carried out by the Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare
A surgical sterilization method is used with general anesthesia and the animals should be in good health. During their campaigns, the Institute acts permanently, with young ages, and on a mass scale (a minimum of 50 animals per campaign). All the animals are clinically evaluated and classified according the American Society of Anesthesiology’s (ASA) system to evaluate the risk posed
The programming and prioritization of the areas where sterilization campaigns will be carried out is done through the identification, on the part of the community, of zones with canine and feline overpopulation and improper keeping of companion animals. The program also possesses two mobile surgery units to serve the city. In 2018, a total of 80,147 animals were sterilized in the city, of which 20% were street animals with no owner. The community participated in the capture and postoperative care processes.
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Bogotá - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Census and Identification of the Animals The first population estimate of domestic animals of Bogotá was carried out in 2005 under the name “Analysis of the Canine Population in the Capital District” with the objective of exploring the canine population of Bogotá and its dynamics. The second estimate was done in 2012 and it included the feline population, characteristics of the keeping of companion animals, population dynamics, and an evaluation of the tracer elements of the program for the monitoring and control of rabies. In parallel with these studies, in 2017 the District Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare put into operation the system of microchip registration and identification named “4-Legged Citizen”, which enables the identification, registration, and tracking of the companion animals that live in the city. Additionally, the program generates data about the population of dogs and cats that makes it possible to start a municipal census of domestic animals.
Through this system, the District Institute for Animal Protection and Welfare implants microchips in animals at no cost. In addition, all the animals that pass through the programs of sterilization, adoption, anti-cruelty, veterinary emergencies, or medical brigades are also identified with microchips. Some of the benefits of this system, which transforms companion animals into citizens, include the higher probability of finding lost animals, discouraging the theft of dogs and cats for resale, recording up to date health and behavioral information for each animal, and penalization in cases of animal abandonment. So far, close to 130,000 animals have been identified with microchips in Bogotá.
Anti Cruelty Squad giving medical care to an abandoned dog in the streets.
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BogotĂĄ - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Campaigns for Education, Citizen Participation, and Animal Care The District Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare maintains a health plan that includes de-worming, vaccination, identification, sterilization, and veterinary exams every six months. In addition, it carries out an enormous effort directed at communities to raise awareness and spread information on diverse topics related to the protection and welfare of animals. The list of programs is large and varied: Step on the Breaks, an Animal Might Cross - educational program that seeks to avoid traffic accidents involving people and animals;
Street theater actitivity educating people on traffic accidents involving animals and the veterinary emergency team´s work.
The PyBA Guardians - (PyBA is the Spanish abbreviation of Animal Protection and Welfare): aims at sensitizing students to topics of animal welfare and responsible ownership of animals;
Photo - Book used by teachers to sensitize and educate students on animal welfare and responsible ownership of animals.
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BogotĂĄ - Colombia ANIMAL
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I’m Zoopportive
offers support to animal protection organizations in de-worming, vaccination, and veterinary evaluation efforts;
Zoopportive Neighbor
works on adequate norms of cohabitation with animals in buildings, houses, residential complexes, industrial parks, commercial centers and horizontal properties to incentivize the appropriate handling of dog feces to prevent pollution and transmission of parasites and bacteria to people or to other animals, as well preventing aggression from animals of potentially dangerous breeds by encouraging the use of a leash and muzzle when moving through common areas;
Television Campaigns
animal behavior specialists inform about the care that must be taken to minimize the adverse effects of noise produced by fireworks and they give practical advice for those who wish to take trips with their pet, whether short or long, without risking their health and welfare;
Medical Brigades
this program makes daily visits for veterinary medical evaluation, de-worming, and microchip implantation in street animals.
It is also important to mention a new strategy that the Institute has adopted, which is to provide attention to companion animals of people who live in the streets. In addition to assessing the health status of the animals and de-worming and vaccinating them, the program plays a fundamental role in the recovery of homeless people who undergo treatment for drug detoxification. These people can keep their animals during treatment, which has beneficial results for both the humans and animals.
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BogotĂĄ - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Adoption Programs In addition to maintaining a sanitary plan with deworming and vaccination, the District Institute of Animal Welfare and Protection manages an important adoption program.
When physical, behavioral and emotional recovery ends, the animals enter in theadoption program to find a new responsible and loving family.
Abused or neglected dogs and cats arrive daily to the Animal Care Unit or are attended by the Veterinary Emergency team and the Anti-Cruelty Squad.
Animals that are ready for adoption are also promote in the Institute’s website.
Website created to showcase animals that are up for adoption in the animal care unit. Each animal and its characteristics are described.
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Bogotá - Colombia ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Prevention of Aggression The city has a protocol for handling aggressive dogs and cats or “biters” overseen by the Municipal Ministry of Health. When an incidence of canine or feline biting is reported or identified, a verification visit is done and the animal is taken to the Animal Care Unit where it is submitted to behavioral tests to determine its condition and the treatment to follow, which will be carried out by the Institute of Animal Protection. As part of the philosophy of city welfare, the comprehensive intervention of biting animals seeks to give them a new
opportunity in appropriate environments in accordance with their needs. To prevent the formation of feral groups which can be an important agent of canine and feline aggression, the municipal government has a team that is specialized in the TNR method which works to trap and sterilize feral animals, especially those found in ecological protection areas of the city.
Inspection and Attention of Animal Abuse To protect animals from mistreatment, Bogotá has an AntiCruelty Squad made up of a group of veterinary doctors that travels the city attending reports of abuse. The squad works in conjunction with the environmental and ecological
police who recover victims of animal abuse. Later, the Office of the Legal Advisor to the District Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare goes to work accompanying the judicial processes related to these cases.
Logo of the Anti-cruelty squad.
Advertisement alerting about animal abuse and abandoned of animals.
Cases of dog fighting are also attended by the Anti-Cruelty Squad.
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Bogotรก - Colombia ANIMAL
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Rescue of Abandoned Animals The program has two fully equipped veterinary clinics with trained personnel from different specialties and the capacity to attend 70 animals simultaneously.
Resocialization and Reintroduction in Society The resocialization of recovered animals and their reintroduction into society is done through the Animal Care Unit which has the capacity to house 400 animals. A basic medical attention team offers comprehensive care to the dogs and cats housed there. There is also a team specialized in animal behavior that evaluates the mental health status of the animals. By way of treatments to improve their behavior, they generate an individual profile to facilitate the search for a family in accordance with the needs of each animal. Member of the Anti-Cruelty Squad in a campaign on the streets.
The city of Bogotรก received the 1st place in the Animal Friendly City Award - this was the plaque received by the mayor along with city dogs.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete Minas Gerais - Brazil
Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Until 2006, when a municipal law was enacted establishing the Animal Protection Program with norms regarding population control of domestic animals, responsible ownership, and prevention and control of zoonotic disease, Conselheiro Lafaiete in the state of Minas Gerais was just another city that collected and euthanized dogs and cats in an inadequate way. Since then, many things have changed. People mindful of sterilizing, animal abuse, shelters, hoarders, zoonotic disease and animal welfare began to act on the issues. The government and civil society started to work in a coordinated way, primary through the Lafaiete Association for Animal Protection (ALPA, for its acronym in Portuguese), which was founded in 1999. Today, Conselheiro Lafaiete has become a model for others to follow, even earning recognition as the second place winner of the Animal Friendly City award.
Activists, politicians, and people interested in the cause travel to Conselheiro Lafaiete, located 100 km from the state capital Belo Horizonte, to learn about the work being done in this city that has achieved innumerable benefits for animals despite its scarce resources. In addition, the ethical population control program of Conselheiro Lafaiete has already been presented as a reference in 23 cities of Minas Gerais, in 12 cities from other states, and twice in Brasilia. The pioneering legislation of 2006 created a national framework for animal protection since it demonstrated that even a small city from the interior (today with an estimated population of 128,000 inhabitants) with modest financial sources can act on behalf of animals in a positive way.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Reproductive Control (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats The Municipal Program of Free Dog and Cat Sterilization, “Those Who Love, Neuter”, seeks to reduce the number of abandoned dogs and cats and promote responsible ownership, animal welfare, and One Health. The program is carried out through a partnership between the Center for Control of Zoonotic Disease, the Lafaiete Association for Animal Protection (ALPA), The Regional Association of Environmental Protection of Alto Paraopeba (ARPA, for its acronym in Portuguese) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The objectives of the program also include the diagnosis of the status and growth dynamics of the canine and feline populations of the city, reproductive control through surgical sterilization, dissemination of animal welfare concepts, One Health, and the basic care that should be given to dogs and cats. In addition, the program also seeks to place Conselheiro Lafaeite on the national stage as a reference point in regards to population control of canines and felines and respect towards animals.
sterilized 1,507 animals. From the beginning of 2019 through the month of May of the same year, 1,110 surgeries had been carried out on 162 male dogs, 438 female dogs, 163 male cats, and 347 female cats. In order to reach this number of animals, the project acts on two fronts: surgeries that are done on the premises of the CCZ and ones done in two trailers from the Mobile Veterinary Unit that travels the city promoting free elective sterilizatoin procedures. Since the start of the program, there has been a 60% reduction in requests for removal of litters by the CCZ in the rural areas of the city.
The program distributes pamphlets in city schools, family health centers, commercial centers, and adoption fairs. The schools also receive talks about the importance of sterilizing, responsible ownership, and animal welfare. The owners of dogs and cats can register their pets in the program by going directly to the Center for Control of Zoonotic Disease, to a Family Health Center, or by telephone. Students of the municipal network who attend talks from the program receive, together with the pamphlet, a registration form to take home and return to school filled out by their parents or guardians. In 2013, the first year of the project, the Center for Control of Zoonotic Disease (CCZ, for its abbreviation in Portuguese)
Center for Sterilization of animals
Clinical evaluations of male and female dogs and cats to be sterilized are done one week ahead of the surgical procedure in the CCZ or in the neighborhood being attended. The techniques used are minimally invasive: an ovariohysterectomy (removal of ovaries, uterine horns, and the uterus) in the case of females and an orchiectomy (extraction of the testicles) in the case of males.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Preventive Health Anti-rabies vaccination of dogs and cats is annual and Conselheiro Lafaiete has reached its established goals since 2013. In rural areas “D Day” is carried out house by house. Adopted animals have a 30% discount on the vaccine at affiliated veterinary clinics and a 50% discount on one consultation during the first year. In schools there are ongoing educational efforts regarding the control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and since 2016, the vectors for yellow fever and leishmaniasis, a noncontagious infectious disease transmitted by insect bites. The city offers an annual training about leishmaniasis with experts in endemic diseases and health to teach residents how to recognize animals that might be infected. Conselheiro Lafaiete also has a pioneering program in the country to combat and control sporotricosis, which has managed to halt the advance of this disease that affects humans and felines. In 2017, a program was launched in the city to combat and control feline sporotricosis named “Sporotricosis: It’s Not the Cat’s Fault!”, which includes training for health and endemic disease officials, briefings for human and veterinary doctors of the municipality, lectures in technical nursing courses in the city and in schools of areas most affected, dissemination of information about the illness for the public in social networks and radio, and itinerant community neutering campaigns for cats. Photos: Dogs awaiting adoption within the Zoonosis Control Center. All animals are registered, sterilized, vaccinated and de-wormed.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Responsible Ownership Since 2015, Conselheiro Lafaiete has run the project “Tiny Veterinarian” (Veterinário Mirim, in Portuguese) with third grade students in city primary schools who receive talks and educational materials every two weeks about responsible ownership, animal welfare, abuse, and zoonotic disease. They also gather data about the animals that the children have at home. At the end of the semester, the students give a presentation about what they learned and their animals can be clinically evaluated by veterinary doctors of the CCZ. The participants receive a “Tiny Veterinarian Friend of the Animals” certificate.
Other projects that are done periodically and are aimed at a child audience are “The Animal Feels” and “School in the Park”. The former has already reached more than 500 children in the municipality and it explains the feelings and sensations of animals in a fun way with videos. For the “School in the Park” project municipal schools take their students to Expositions Park where they do several activities including a workshop about the environment that covers the topic of animals.
Registration and Identification Program One of the points established by law in 2006 with the Animal Protection Program is the obligatory registration and identification of dogs and cats. Between 2013 and 2015, some of the animals that were sterilized were also tattooed but the system was not very effective. In 2017, the registration and placement of microchips was implemented in collaboration with the Lafaiete Association for Animal
Protection (ALPA). An adoption fee of thirty-five reales was instituted to cover the costs of the microchip and initial vaccination doses. Guardians can also place microchips in their animals in adoption fairs and in other events that ALPA participates in for a cost of forty reales. Any animal that is sold will be microchipped and registered.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Community Animals Community animals of the municipality are recognized by law when they have ties to the inhabitants of the place where they are cared for. Each animal registered in the CCZ has at least one guardian in their registry which is created for free. They also receive de-worming medication, an anti-rabies vaccine, and a quick test for leishmaniasis. The combination vaccine is acquired by ALPA in collaboration with the dog’s guardians in affiliated clinics. Currently, there are 46 registered community dogs in Conselheiro Lafaiete, some of which have a microchip. The city boasts some colorful examples. The Ministry of Education has kept a community dog named Bola since 2016. The Parrish of San Sebastián has three dogs in its main square: Amorim, Júlio, and Vitor. Dogs Brancão, Pretinha and Marrom can be found in Plaza Tirandentes and the most famous dog in the city, Coroinha, can be found in the Parrish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição where he has been looked after since 2013.
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse Reports of animal abuse are presented in the CCZ or in the ALPA where they are analyzed to determine if there is the need for police intervention. Approximately 90% of reports are resolved with the supervision of CCZ after inspection and proper notification. In 2017, the city created a group to attend serious reports which is comprised of members of the CCZ, the ALPA, the Military Firefighters Corps, the Civil Police, and the Military Environmental Police. Since then, more than 30 reports have been investigated and several animals have been rescued. The group oversees reports of abuse of any animal species.
Photos - Community dogs of Conselheiro Lafaiete.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Inspection and notification of animal abuse Reports of animal abuse and neglect are made to the ZZC or NGO ALPA, where they are analyzed to assess the need for police force intervention. Approximately 90% of complaints are resolved with CCZ inspection and notification. In 2017, the city created a group for handling serious complaints made up of members of ZCC, ALPA,Military Firefighters, Civil Police and Environmental Military Police. Since then, more than 30 complaints have been inspected and several animals were rescued. The group monitors serious reports of abuse of any animal species.
Recovery and Sheltering of Abandoned Animals
The CCZ and the ALPA selectively recover animals based on reports and requests. Run over and sick animals, victims of abuse, pregnant females, ones in heat, puppies and carriers of zoonotic disease, among others are recovered and taken to the CCZ, temporary homes, or given up for adoption. The CCZ has the capacity to shelter 200 dogs and 15 cats. The total area of the facilities is equivalent to approximately eight soccer fields. In the CCZ the animals are treated, neutered, vaccinated, and placed in the adoption process or entered in the registry as community dogs. There are 12 spots for those that need some kind of medical treatment. In cases
where the specific treatment is not offered by the municipality, ALPA provides it. Animals that have problems being kept with other individuals of the same species are placed in individual compartments measuring 3 m by 1.5 m where they can maintain visual contact with the collective kennel and receive daily contact with a caregiver as well as good food and water. These animals are neutered and attempts to socialize them with other animals are done after the postoperative period. If put up for adoption, preference is given to guardians who do not have other animals or children in their homes.
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Conselheiro Lafaiete - Minas Gerais - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Feral Animals and Animals in Indigenous Areas There are no reports of feral animal colonies in Conselheiro Lafaiete. However, when reports are received of an individual animal in this condition, it is rescued and not returned. Instead, it is put through a rehabilitation process in the CCZ or in a temporary home affiliated with the ALPA.
The municipality does not have an indigenous area but it does have a Quilombola where an annual neutering and anti-rabies campaign is carried out. Also, community animals are periodically attended in events that are organized in the community.
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São Paulo
São Paulo - Brazil
São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
The largest city in South America always brings enormous numbers. It has more than 12,000,000 inhabitants and over 2,600,000 domestic animals, of which 1,875,000 are dogs and 810,000 are cats with a recognized home. São Paulo was also the third place winner of the “Animal Friendly City” award.
Since 2013, the capital of the state of São Paulo offers free clinical and surgical attention to animals of residents, with priority given to those who receive social assistance in public veterinary hospitals. This is a pioneering service in Brazil. Today, São Paulo has three public hospitals distributed across different areas of the city.
This metropolis has abundant legislation regarding population management of canines and felines, laws for protection and welfare of domestic animals, regulations for the sale and donation of dogs and cats, as well as reproductive control. In addition, it has a prohibition against the use of animals in circus presentations, as well as other animal welfare initiatives.
In 2017, the Municipal Ministry of Health created the office of the Coordinator of Health and Protection of Domestic Animals (COSAP in Portuguese), which went on to establish public policies directed at health, assistance, and protection of domestic animals in the city.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
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Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats
PHOTO - one of the “Mobile Sterilization and Health Education Units” of São Paulo.
The Municipality of São Paulo has offered the “Permanent Program for Reproductive Control of Dogs and Cats” since 2001 and, like everything else in São Paulo, the numbers are superlative. More than a million dogs and cats have been surgically sterilized and over 90,000 sterilizations are performed annually.
Total number of sterilization surgeries by year.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
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The service is free and available to any person who resides in the city and has dogs or cats. In addition to animals belonging to residents, community animals are also attended. These animals are ones who are under the care of duly registered independent protectors. To serve them all, the program establishes partnerships with animal protection nonprofits and private veterinary clinics. In 2019, surgical sterilizations were begun through the Mobile Sterilization and Health Education Units (UMEES, in Portuguese / Neutermobile). It is estimated
that it will be possible to perform close to 25,000 additional sterilizations per year. The program practices surgical sterilizations in cats and dogs of both sexes with ages between three months and eight years. Females undergo an ovariosalpingohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterus) using a minimally invasive technique (the hook technique) by making a midline incision. Males are given an orchiectomy (removal of the testicles). This is done prescrotally in dogs and scrotally in cats.
Education on Responsible Ownership São Paulo invests in education about responsible ownership with the goal of forming conscious guardians since it considers that in the medium and long term, this will lead to the reduction of abandonment, reduction of uncontrolled reproduction, and the improvement of basic care such as vaccination and veterinary attention. The subject is presented to all citizens who take their animal to the “Permanent Reproductive Control Program”. While they wait for the surgical procedure to be performed, guardians attend talks and receive guidance. The Coordinator of Health and Protection of Domestic Animals put the “Animal Friendly School” program into operation. The goal of the program is to raise awareness among children about responsible ownership and encourage schools to act as proponents of this topic. The “Municipal Adoption Center for Dogs and Cats” also has permanent activities regarding responsible ownership. People interested in adopting animals receive all the necessary guidance on the subject of responsible animal ownership.
Photo: Animal Friendly School Project - children visit the “Municipal Adoption Center for Dogs and Cats” and talk and read to animals as a way of socializing.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
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Dog Bite Prevention In 2004, the Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Division of São Paulo released the manual and DVD “Creating a Friend” in partnership with PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and World Animal Protection (at that time known as WSPA) with guidelines and information about possible causes of bites and other injuries that arise in human-animal relationships. The content of this manual is shared in different activities of the “Animal Friendly School” project.
Currently, the municipality is in the process of implementing a new harm prevention program based on the guide “The 5 Keys to Prevent Dog Bites” with the support of the Pan American Health Organization and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Registration and Identification In São Paulo, since 2001, the General Animal Registry (RGA, for its abbreviation in Portuguese) has been required by law for all dogs and cats over three months of age. The RGA is a stamped and numbered booklet containing details about the animal’s owner. A small metallic identification tag with the RGA number is also issued and it should be placed on the animal’s collar. Municipal Law 13.131/2001 instituted by the RGA: https://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/ saude/saude_e_protecao_ao_animal_domestico/ index.php?p=272497
The RGA facilitates the ocation of the guardians of lost animals. Inscription is free of cost in registration centers and in accredited veterinary establishments. The animals that are adopted in the Municipal Adoption Center for Dogs and Cats have an identifying microchip and are RGA. Dogs that are recovered in population management operations are identified with microchips and the information is stored in the municipal database, the Domestic Animal Registry and Information System.
Community Animals In the state of São Paulo, community animals, those that establish ties with the community in which they live despite lacking a specific individual owner, are recognized and protected by law. In the capital, the principal caretaker (the
“keeper”) of the animal can register, sterilize, and vaccinate this animal for free. The Domestic Animal Registry and Information System allows animals to be registered as “community owned”.
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Abandoned Animals and Adoption In São Paulo, representatives from the Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Division (DVZ, for its Portuguese abbreviation) are in charge of recovering animals from the streets. The Division only picks up aggressive animals, ones who invade public institutions, ones that could constitute a public health risk, or those experiencing an illness or a condition of suffering from which they cannot recover. Animals in the latter category may be euthanized. All of these rescues and actions are outlined in a municipal law. The recovered animals are identified with microchips, surgically sterilized, submitted to parasite control, clinically
evaluated and given the necessary treatment. Afterward, they are left in the care of the DVZ until they are taken to the Municipal Adoption Center of the Coordinator of Health and Protection of Domestic Animals (COSAP, for its abbreviation in Portuguese), where they remain until they are adopted. The DVZ has 96 enclosures to house dogs long-term (each with room for 2 adult animals), 40 enclosures for long-term housing of cats (with space for two adult animals each), 5 enclosures for dogs under observation, 10 enclosures for solitary dogs, and 5 enclosures for solitary cats.
Cat shelter at COSAP
Work done in the Municipal Adoption Center facilities of the COSAP is based on principles that guarantee animal welfare. There are 25 enclosures for dogs and 20 for cats, all with glass doors so people who are interested in adoption can see them. The environment is protected and hygienic with covered areas and individual solariums that have access to yards where the animals can play, do physical activity, and interact with people and other animals.
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Photo - cat shelter at the “Municipal Adoption Center” of COSAP
Photo: Bathing and grooming area of the “Municipal Adoption Center” of COSAP
The animals are kept clean and bathed and their hair is cut regularly. In addition, they participate in a weekly “dog walk”, a volunteer project open to all adult residents who wish to walk the animals. The “dog walks” take place on Sundays in the morning and the idea is to socialize the animals and increase the posibility of someone adopting them.
Photo: Information about one animal in the website of COSAP. There are pictures and information about age, health status and behaviour.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
The adoption process includes the identification of the adopter’s profile, a preadoption interview, viewing of the applicant’s residence through Google Maps, and a preadoption visit. If necessary, guidance is provided concerning the care that must be taken with an adopted animal and regarding responsible ownership. In addition, telephone monitoring and a
Table with numbers of adoptions in 2018 and 2019.
postadoption visit may be arranged. A municipal law from 2006 prohibits the circulation of animal drawn vehicles and mounted animals in the city as well as the presence of these animals on public roads, whether free or secured with a rope. Large animals that are observed in these conditions are recovered by the DVZ. Once the rescue is completed, they are placed in the care of the Coordinator of Health and Protection of Domestic Animals and later given to reliable custodians through the collaboration of registered nonprofit organizations.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Resocialization of Aggressive Dogs Close to 90% of the dogs recovered by the Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Division have a record of aggression/biting. All recovered animals undergo attempts at socialization, but many continue their aggressive behavior and unfortunately cannot be put up for adoption. The behavioral rehabilitation of dogs is a priority action for the Coordinator of Health and Protection of Domestic Animals and it is establishing a permanent animal socialization/rehabilitation program in the municipality by way of partnerships with private enterprise. Currently, some animals go through the socialization process through alliances with trainers or behavioral specialists who work on a volunteer basis, seeking to modify their behavior and safely reintegrate them into society.
Photos: Resocialization project for agressive dogs at the “Municipal Adoption Center” of COSAP.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
Feral Animals In the city of São Paulo, areas like university campuses, food markets (CEASA), garages, car and train depots, parks, cemeteries and others are subject to the formation of groups of abandoned animals, such as cat colonies, where they can find shelter, food, and water. The technical strategy to reduce these populations and diminish the problems caused by their presence is to work gradually since simply removing them encourages repopulation by other individuals if there is no manner of control in the abandoned locations. Removal, then, is done in a programmed way to control the population and to be able to track abandoned cats that form stray colonies.
This program is run by a team specialized in cat capture. Caregivers/feeders help to estimate the size of the colonies and provide their exact location. The cats are captured using Tomaroki type traps with moist cat food used as bait. The animals are transferred to transport carriers and taken to “cat centers” where they are surgically sterilized using minimally invasive techniques, vaccinated, and identified with microchips and a cut is made on the right ear tip. After evaluation by the veterinarian, the animals are returned to the place where they were captured. They are monitored and if new individuals are detected on the site, the program returns following the same procedures. Captured animals that are young and docile are handed over to the adoption program.
Management of Dogs and Cats in Environmental Conservation Areas and/or Indigenous Areas The municipality of São Paulo is not just a vibrant metropolis. Its territory is also home to indigenous villages. Since 2010, the Center of Special Activities of the COSAP, responsible for tracking and reproductive control of dogs and cats in public places with health concerns, has worked in indigenous communities of the municipality to monitor the animals and carry out activities like the annual census. In addition, they perform reproductive control actions (surgical sterilization), microchip identification, and parasite control, as well as offering clinical care and gathering material for zoonotic disease monitoring. COSAP agent taking an animal to a sterilization clinic in an indigenous village of Sao Paulo.
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São Paulo - São Paulo - Brazil ANIMAL
FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
This operation is quite complex due to cultural factors, fragile socioeconomic conditions, and the lack of basic hygiene infrastructure. For these reasons, a commission of leaders was formed that includes representatives from various public agencies and leaders from the indigenous community to plan the actions that are carried out in the village, which are done in a multidisciplinary and inter-ministerial way.
Contact with the Guaraní culture inspired a conceptual reevaluation and a differentiated approach to the actions taken. The indigenous community first expressed reluctance toward the actions proposed by the team and doubted the importance of disease control in the dog and cat population. However, they ended up becoming an ally, actively requesting the services offered by the COSAP.
The mayor of Sao Paulo - Mr. Bruno Covas and members of COSAP receiving the plaque for 2nd place in the Animal Friendly City Award - 2019
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Panama City Panama
Panama City - Panama
Panama City, with an estimated population of 1,100,000 inhabitants (2015), is the capital of Panama. There are no statistical or census data regarding the number of dogs and cats in Panama. However, based on counts done between the years of 2000 and 2010 by `Humane Society International, it is estimated that in the communities most vulnerable to animal abandonment and abuse there is 1 dog for every 3 to 4 inhabitants and 1 cat for every 10 inhabitants. Close to 90% of the animals that roam the streets of Panama City have owners. The other 10% are animals with no
owners or community animals who live in public spaces, have dependency ties to the community, and are fed and cared for despite having no individual defined owner. On 12 October 2012, Panama approved Law 70 – Protection of Domestic Animals. Actions related to the humanitarian care of dogs and cats in Panama City are carried out by the Department of Animal Welfare, which was created in 2014 with the mission of guaranteeing the welfare of animals through the application of laws for the protection of domestic animals with or without owners.
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Panama City - Panama
Photo: Members of the government of Panama city involved in the animal welfare program.
Until July of 2014, the city did not have an animal welfare program and it was common to see animals roaming the streets. Today, only five years after the creation of the Department, Panama City has received several invitations to reproduce its model in other cities. A large part of this success is due to cooperation agreements with nongovernmental organizations and private companies established by law.
Among the programs carried out by the Department are sterilization campaigns with cooperation agreements with nongovernmental organizations, responsible ownership of companion animals with the campaign “#The Five Animal Freedoms” and the participation of private businesses, and the program “#Panama Adopts”, also with cooperation from private initiatives.
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Panama City - Panama
Reproductive Control Program for Dogs and Cats The project “Prevention of Stray Animals” of Panama City promotes massive systematic sterilization in communities on the periphery of the city identified by NGOs and volunteers as areas vulnerable to animal abandonment due to unwanted births. Between July of 2014 and June of 2019, the program carried out 80 sterilization campaigns with an average of 16 per year, resulting in a total of 35,000 sterilizations. With the help of the foundations SPAY Panamá and San Francisco de Asís, which have trained personnel, surgical equipment and transportation, a calendar for sterilizations was proposed. The foundations demonstrated that they are highly qualified to put this policy into practice with positive results. The municipal government’s support of the work of the NGOs dedicated to domestic animal sterilization led to an increase in the number of sterilized domestic animals along with the resulting benefits for public health and hygiene and a reduction in the number of abandoned animals.
Massive surgical sterilization campaigns as part of the Prevention of Animals in the Streets project
Additionally, the increase in the number of sterilized animals each year shows that there is a demand from the animal owning population that is not being served. The method of sterilization used by the NGOs who have a cooperation agreement with the municipal government is called quick spay.
36
Panama City - Panama
Education on Responsible Ownership The program relied on the participation of 36 volunteer helpers who visited several schools in the city and explained the five animal freedoms to the students. The schools received posters and banners with information about the
program. The children received a notebook representing the program while teachers received a folder. A total of 5,064 notebooks, 2,000 folders, 400 posters, and 50 banners were distributed.
Photo: Children receiving Education on Responsible Ownership
Private initiatives participated in the program through sponsorship from the company Refarmil with its brand Eukanuba. The project empowered the helpers and planted the seed for a reduction in abuse in the communities and greater awareness about ownership of domestic animals.
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Panama City - Panama
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse With endorsement of the Law for the Protection of Domestic Animals that allows for the reporting of abuse to public agencies, the Department of Animal Welfare established telephone lines and internet pages so that citizens can make their reports. The result has been positive with an average of 50 reports per month. Most importantly, even if the complaints are not attended directly by the Department, the complainant receives all the guidance about how to continue the process in conjunction with the responsible agencies.
Severe case of neglect - treated by the Department of Animal Welfare
Recovery of Abandoned Animals The municipal government does not have shelters to recover abandoned animals. However, all abandoned animals who are at risk, suffering, or aggressive are picked up by inspectors and brought to veterinary clinics from the organizations with whom the city has cooperation agreements in order to be evaluated. As soon as possible, the animals are transferred to temporary volunteer shelters and the city provides medical treatment, food, and transport. When they have recovered, the animals enter the adoption system which is operated in conjunction with the social responsibility programs of private companies. Animal being rescued by a member of the Department of Animal Welfare.
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Panama City - Panama
Feral or Feralized Animals Animals who, due to the place where they were abandoned or born, become feralized (domestic animals who become wild and survive on their own in nature) are treated by the Department of Animal Welfare with the system trap-neuter-return (TNR), a humanitarian method to
control the growth of cat colonies and dog packs. The animals are capture and sterilized. Puppies, kittens, and socialized individuals are put on a path of adoption, while the rest are returned to their home territory.
The Dog and Cat Trade
Photo: Puppies available for adoption at a big Pet Shop company.
The dog and cat adoption program of Panama City found a strategic partner, which at first sight might seem to be a competitor. It is the primary seller of domestic animals in the country, “Melo Pets and Garden�. Although it continues selling animals, the company opened a space in its stores for animals that are available for adoption. In addition, the store gives them their first vaccination, their first medical consultation, a bag of food, and toys from sponsoring brands. The initiative was so successful that the program was implemented in additional branches of the company in other Panamanian cities. Animal adoption leads to an increase in sales of accessories, food, and medicine, among other products and it reduces the investment that would have to be
made to buy pure breed animals. It is, for this reason, a good business for everyone.
Commercial partners promoting the Adoption Program.
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CriciĂşma
Santa Catarina - Brazil
Criciúma - Santa Catarina - Brazil
Situated in the southern region of Santa Catarina, Criciúma has an estimated population of 215,000 people. To care for the canine and feline population, the city relies on the support of the Animal Welfare Center (NBEA, for its acronym in Portuguese), an organization linked to the Environmental Foundation of Criciúma (FAMCRI, for its acronym in Portuguese). The NBEA’s objective is to control the domestic animal population of by way of sterilization and electronic registry, to eradicate animal abuse, and to guarantee the principles of animal welfare.
Animal Welfare Center (NBEA) Source: FAMCRI.
For that reason, in addition to sterilization campaigns, “pet spaces” have been built in the busiest parks of the city in order to ensure a recreational space for dogs and cats.
The Environmental Foundation of Criciúma regards the fight for animal rights to be indispensable and considers that it directly affects the lives of the inhabitants of the municipality.
Criciúma has involved its inhabitants in the responsibility for animal welfare and the public actively participates by giving food, water, and shelter to community animals.
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Criciúma - Santa Catarina - Brazil Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats The dogs and cats of Criciúma, whether they are community owned, roaming animals, or owned animals, pass through a sterilization program run by the Animal Welfare Center. The goal for the first year of the project is to reach 4,000 sterilizations.
with nongovernmental organizations and veterinary clinics. According to estimates by the NBEA, Criciúma currently has around 15,000 roaming dogs and cats. The idea is to neuter 25% of this population in the first year of the project.
Dogs and cats, both male and female, are sterilized through surgical procedures: the removal of the ovaries, uterine horns, and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) in the case of females, and the extraction of the testicles (orquiectomy) in the case of males. These procedures are performed under anesthesia provided by a veterinary doctor with minimally invasive techniques. Neighborhoods on the periphery of the city benefit from volunteer sterilization campaigns carried out in partnership
Permanent education in animal welfare and responsible ownership program carried out in schools and at the Environmental Education Center.
Education in Responsible Ownership The Environmental Foundation of Criciúma (FAMCRI) has a permanent responsible ownership and animal welfare program that is imparted in schools and in the Environmental Education Center of the city located in Horto Florestal. This program seeks to raise more awareness among children about the treatment of animals, both domestic and wild. The program “Superinspector of the Environment”, also exists, which carries out activities with children related to environmental management and awareness, including the care of animals.
Photo: Super Environmental Inspector Program.
Registration and Identification All animals that are registered in the Animal Welfare Center receive a microchip. The microchip is inserted in the subcutaneous cervical region and their information is updated daily. Registration of animals is done through the system “Animal Tag”, which includes all of the guardians’ information.
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Criciúma - Santa Catarina - Brazil
Community Animals Community animals of Criciúma, those that lack an individual owner, are recognized by a municipal law. This law establishes the ties and responsibility that the communities have toward the domestic animals with whom they share a space.
The NBEA also asks local residents if they are interested in helping to monitor and care for the animal. If they agree, the animal is registered as a “community animal” in accordance with provisions of the municipal law.
The Animal Welfare Center handles the sterilization, registration, and microchip identification of community animals and also fits them with a visible and standardized collar. During registration and identification of community animals, the citizens who care for them on a daily basis are listed as their caregivers.
Dogs and cats that have already been sterilized or who are receiving treatment in the NBEA pass through a recovery period under the care of a “temporary guardian” who makes a formal commitment to provide provisional treatment to the animal.
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse Animal abuse reports are handled and managed by the Environmental Foundation of Criciúma and any citizen can file a complaint. The inspectors of FAMCRI visit the animal specified in the report and, depending on the case, notifies and educates the owner, or rescues the animal
and takes it to be attended in a veterinary clinic that has been previously contacted. More serious reports are handled by the police department or the prosecution authority.
Rescue of Abandoned Animals In Criciúma, roaming animals that are not aggressive or in abusive conditions are rescued, serviced in a previously contacted veterinary clinic, taken to an Animal Welfare Center shelter, and later placed on the path to adoption.
Several nongovernmental organizations collaborate with the program to provide temporary homes and the municipality offers support to the volunteers. All of these animals are sterilized and registered by the NBEA.
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CriciĂşma - Santa Catarina - Brazil
Animal Hoarders A municipal law provides for the handling of animals that are in the custody of hoarders. The environmental authority of the municipality confiscates these animals and temporarily sends them to the NBEA to be sterilized, vaccinated, and microchipped.
When it is necessary to enter the property of a person with a hoarding disorder, authorities from the areas of health, sanitation, and social assistance are notified in order to act in a multidisciplinary way and provide support to the case.
Photo: One of the “Pet Spaces� created in a busy square in the city, guaranteeing an adequate space for dogs to play and interact with other dogs.
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Curitiba
Paranรก - Brazil
Curitiba - Paraná - Brazil
The capital of Paraná stands out for the way it manages its dog and cat populations. Since 2015, it has had an “ongoing public policy to control its canine and feline populations”. It also has an Animal Protection Network and a division of the Department of Investigation and Conservation of Wildlife in the Ministry of the Environment that promotes joint efforts between various public actors, private enterprise, and nongovernmental organizations who seek better conditions for the city’s animals. The creation of the Animal Protection Network began between 2008 and 2009 and in 2010, population control activities of domestic animals were initiated through a partnership with the Federal University of Paraná.
In 2012, public activities of registration were expanded and a year later, the first procurement of service providing clinics was made in order to attend a larger number of animals. The city also relies on the Municipal Council of Animal Protection (COMUPA, for its acronym in Portuguese), comprised of representatives of universities, professional councils, and municipal and state ministries, among other institutions. The agency serves in a deliberative and advisory capacity for issues related to the defense and protection of animals in the municipality.
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Curitiba - Paranรก - Brazil Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats From 2017 to the beginning of June of 2019, more than 29,000 dogs and cats were sterilized in Curitiba. The goal of the current municipal administration is to reach 60,000 animals with the Free Municipal Sterilization Program. To do that, the municipality relies on seven service providing companies, two of which are mobile units that carry out volunteer work in communities with priority demands. The other five are spread throughout the city and attend animals on a continuous basis. Sterilization is done by way of an ovariohysterectomy (extraction of the ovaries, the uterine horns, and the uterus) in the case of the females and an orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) in the case of the males. The surgeries are free for both dogs and cats of the residents of Curitiba, but priority is given to the beneficiaries of social government programs and to animal protectors registered in the Animal Protection Network. When sterilizations are conducted, the animals are always permanently identified with a microchip and educational activities are offered regarding health and responsible ownership.
Photos: A dog being anesthetized for surgical sterilization and a Mobile Veterinary Unit of Curitiba.
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Curitiba - Paranรก - Brazil
Preventative Health
A dog being vaccinated during a free vacination campaign
In partnership with the Federal University of Paranรก (UFPR, for its abbreviation in Portuguese), Curitiba implements the Veterinary Clinical Evaluation and Vaccination Program of Dogs and Cats, which promotes the health of the animals and the prevention of zoonotic diseases in the city. Resident veterinary doctors and students of UFPR, accompanied by professors and veterinarians of the Animal Protection Network, make clinical evaluations, administer vaccines, and apply deworming, anti-flea, and mange medications.
In addition, they treat simple pathologies and carry out dog and cat registration so they can participate in the Free Municipal Sterilization Program. The municipality offers infrastructure (a Mobile Veterinary Unit), logistical support in organizing activities, and supplies (vaccines and medicine) while the university provides resident veterinary doctors and students to service the public.
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Curitiba - Paranรก - Brazil
Education on Responsible Ownership Education on responsible ownership is included in all of the activities of the Animal Protection Network. They distribute material with information about responsible ownership and animal care as well as educational videos. Also, veterinary doctors and students of the Federal University of Paranรก give advice and offer informative talks.
Photo: Children receiving guidance on the importance of adoption and responsible ownership of animals at the Reference center for Animals at Risk (CRAR).
Everyone who visits the Permanent Adoption Center in the Reference Center for At-Risk Animals (CRAR, for its Portuguese acronym) is told about the importance of adoption and responsible animal ownership. On special dates, students of municipal schools participate in fun educational activities in the CRAR where they can interact with the dogs, cats, and horses that are available for adoption.
Photo: Reference Center for Animals at Risk (CRAR)
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Curitiba - ParanĂĄ - Brazil
In June of 2019 a publicity campaign was launched with animals from the CRAR to encourage adoption and responsible ownership.
Photos: Posters released during CRAR´s advertisement campaign, to encourage adoption and resopnsible ownership.
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Curitiba - Paranรก - Brazil
Registration and Identification
photo: Dog being examined before the sterilization campaign.
Regarding the registration and identification of dogs and cats, Curitiba has an Animal Identification System (AIS), which is a database connected to the Animal Protection Network that offers free placement of microchips in monthly adoption events promoted by the city. Establishments that sell animals in the city are required to have a universal microchip scanner to verify registration numbers. Microchips are also implanted in animals that
are donated to the Reference Center for At-Risk Animals (CRAR), animals in adoption events promoted by the municipality, and ones that are attended by the sterilization services of the Animal Protection Network. Currently, more than 139,000 animals have been registered in the SIA, of which more than 61,000 have already been permanently identified with electronic microchips.
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Curitiba - Paraná - Brazil
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse In Curitiba, reports of animal abuse are received by the Municipal Attention Center and they can be made anonymously. In the Attention Center, reports are processed by the oversight team of the Animal Protection Network which has three inspectors and three veterinary doctors. This team makes routine inspections and in 2018 it attended 1,900 requests. The majority of complaints involve simple situations such as inadequate food and shelter and they are resolved with
guidance and a notification. In more complicated cases involving criminal abuse, a joint effort is made in conjunction with the Municipal Guard, the Military Police “Green Force”, or the Environmental Protection Delegation. The guilty parties are fined and held responsible for the crime of abuse. In 2018, more than 370 animals were seized and sent to the Reference Center for At-Risk Animals (CRAR) where they were treated and made available for responsible adoption.
Animal Hoarders Curitiba has an innovative task force to treat animal hoarders. This group is made up of members of the Animal Protection Network, professionals from the mental health program and health inspectors from the Municipal Health Ministry, representatives from the Department of Public Sanitation, the Social Action Foundation, and the Public Housing Company.
The group has addressed close to 70 cases of hoarders managing to help more than 2,000 animals. Today, more than half of these animals are neutered and many of the surgeries were carried out by the Municipal Dog and Cat Sterilization Program.
Feral and Feralized Animals Curitiba has no registry of feral dogs but groups of feralized cats are fairly common. In these cases, the protocol of trapneuter-return (TNR) is followed. After capturing them with traps, the cats are sterilized and identified with microchips at the veterinary clinic. The immediate postoperative period is done in
the Reference Center for At-Risk Animals (CRAR) and when the cats have recovered, they are returned to their place of origin. The process interrupts the reproductive cycle and improves the quality of life of the animals.
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Ponta Grossa Paranรก - Brazil
Ponta Grossa - Paraná - Brazil
Located in the region of Campos Gerais of Paraná, 100 km from the capital Curitiba, Ponta Grossa is the fourth most populated city of the state with more than 350,000 people (estimate for 2019). The reproductive control program of dogs and cats in the city sterilizes approximately 100 animals per week totaling 3,500 a year. This covers more than 20% of the dog and cat population of the municipality. The topic of animal welfare is present in educational campaigns that are carried out in schools and there is also a city campaign against the abandonment of animals. The residents of Ponta Grossa demand swift action against cases of animal abuse and abandonment and today they play an integral and active role in the animal cause
by adopting dogs and promoting actions that provide welfare to animals. Currently, the municipality is implementing the project “Humanitarian Alternatives to Improve the Quality of Life of Roaming Animals of Ponta Grossa” project, with help from city residents. The project aims to determine the number of roaming animals in Ponta Grossa and diagnose their behavior through a psychometric evaluation to improve attention toward the behavioral and health aspects of these animals. The Zoonotic Disease Coordination is the agency responsible for canine and feline population management activities in Ponta Grossa.
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Ponta Grossa - Paraná - Brazil Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats The ethical feline and canine population control program of Ponta Grossa is left in the hands of previously contacted clinics and the mobile unit that attends 100 male and female cats and dogs on a weekly basis. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used. These include an ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries, uterine horns, and uterus) in females and an orchiectomy in males with a prescrotal incision that allows for a faster recovery. The mobile unit of the project, or “Neutermobile”, is a trailer
that travels to locations with a large number of animals. Educational activities about welfare and responsible ownership are also carried out in the Neutermobile. All guardians receive information about these topics during their pet’s surgery. Every animal that passes through the program is identified with a microchip. All animals that pass through the program are identified by microchipping.
Photo- Mobile Vet unit for sterilization campaigns at Ponta Grossa.
Anti-Rabies Vaccination Animals that are sterilized receive the anti-rabies vaccine. Rabies control by way of post sterilization vaccinations has proven to be quite effective. 3,500 animals are vaccinated annually of which 1,600 receive the vaccine thanks to this program.
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Ponta Grossa - Paranรก - Brazil
Animal Patrol Program This program is a project that aims taking care of stray animals. The service works every day, from 8 am to 10 pm. The project has an ambulance and a specialized team of 15 veterinarians connected to the City Hall, who give the first assistance to the animals injured and at risk.
The focus of the project is stray animals with some type of trauma or with other risk situations. The service can be activate by the Municipality guard telephone 153, which receives the calls and trigger the veterinary team.
Photo - Animal Patrol Program Ambulance
Education on Responsible Ownership Municipal schools of Ponta Grossa are heavily involved in the educational program on responsible ownership. The children receive a visit from trained teams that teach them about responsible ownership and animal welfare. Each week, veterinarians from the municipality go to a high school to give talks about animal welfare and population control. The Center for Zoonotic Disease also receives weekly visits from municipal and state schools when it addresses topics like One Health, ecology and animal welfare, population control, and zoonotic disease with children and young people.
Children visiting the Center for Zoonotic Disease to receive education on Resposible Pet Ownership.
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Ponta Grossa - ParanĂĄ - Brazil
Community Animals Community animals of Ponta Grossa, those who lack an individual owner, are neutered and identified with microchips. They are also vaccinated against rabies and dewormed. Caregivers are identified and provided with guidance regarding the minimum conditions to guarantee the welfare of the animals. The Zoonotic Disease Coordination periodically visits these animals to assess their welfare and behavior.
Photo: A Community dog from Ponta Grossa receiving a reflective collar to prevent car accidents.
Photo: “Dogminium� - a shelter built on the sidewalk to protect community dogs.
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse When a report of animal abuse is made in Ponta Grossa, the Municipal Guard travels to the place and makes an official report if the abuse is confirmed. This report is sent to the Zoonotic Disease Coordination who oversees the case and, when necessary, the animal is rescued and taken to the municipal kennel to be evaluated and treated.
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Ponta Grossa - ParanĂĄ - Brazil
Abandoned Animals Animals that are suffering and have no caregivers In Ponta Grossa are rescued and evaluated using pain and suffering scales. After this evaluation, they are placed under examination and treatment when possible. All are sterilized and they remain in the kennel for ten days in order to make a complete recovery. After their physical recovery, evaluations are done to determine their physical fitness and reaction to stress so they can be resocialized. Some go to temporary homes and future adoption while others are released again in the place where they were picked up. Following a donation, the Zoonotic Disease Coordination makes periodic visits to evaluate the dogs’ health and welfare. If they find something wrong, the dog can be picked up again and donated to another person in better conditions to care for the animal.
Photo: Dogs awaiting for adoption in Ponta Grossa
Animal Hoarders The city has specific legislation and a multidisciplinary program (with psychologists, social workers, and veterinary doctors) to deal with hoarders. When a case is identified, a team travels to the location and makes contact with the hoarder. Afterward, the dogs are sterilized and monitored for zoonotic disease. The guardian and neighbors are also evaluated to determine the presence of zoonosis.
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Ponta Grossa - Paranรก - Brazil
Campaign Against the Abandonment of Dogs and Cats
Photo: Adoption campaigns
In Ponta Grossa, there is a permanent radio and television campaign, two periodic school programs, fairs, and expositions. In addition, locations with the highest rates of abandonment are monitored with cameras and they receive informative posters regarding the topic.
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Toluca Mexico
Toluca - Mexico
Located in the State of Mexico, less than 100 km from the Federal District, Toluca has a population of more than 870,000 inhabitants. Estimates suggest that the city is home to close to 218,000 dogs and cats, of which a little over 150,000 roam the streets. Attention to animals is coordinated by the Municipal Animal Control and Welfare Center which received the certification of good veterinary practices for companion animals establishments from the National Organization for Certification and Verification of Aquaculture, Livestock,
Agriculture, Food, and Alcoholic Drinks (ONCEVAPA, for its Spanish acronym). It is the only center of its kind that holds this certification at a national level. The approach to population stabilization by way of birth control suggests that 10% of the total estimated population should be sterilized each year. The goal for Toluca was 25,000 sterilizations in 2019 and 40,000 in 2020 and 2021 in order to surpass 100,000 sterilizations in three years. The anti-rabies vaccination program reached 120,000 applications, an unprecedented number in the municipality. Periodic educational campaigns were also carried out regarding responsible ownership and adoption. There is a joint effort in Toluca between civil society, the academic sector, and the government to increase the impact of these programs. Collaboration agreements have been signed with the Autonomous University of Mexico State and the Health Institute of the State of Mexico. Toluca does not kill healthy animals or accept voluntary donations. In other words, it does not allow common citizens to donate their animals simply because they do not want them anymore.
Photo: Municipal Animal Control and Welfare Center
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Toluca - Mexico Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats The Center for Animal Control and Welfare maintains a permanent sterilization campaign for dogs and cats in the municipality with the capacity to carry out 300 sterilizations weekly. There are also two mobile units that travel the municipal territory, primarily to distant communities, with the capacity to perform 400 surgeries per week. To carry out the program, which uses surgical sterilizations as the focal point for ethical canine and feline population control, collaboration agreements were signed with the Autonomous University of Mexico State (UAEM, for its abbreviation in Spanish) through its Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. Combining the resources of the municipality with the mobile units and the medical personnel of the UAEM, more than 480 sterilizations are carried out per week in Toluca. With this, the municipality has the capacity to carry out s 3,280 surgical sterilizations of dogs and cats on a monthly basis. The technique used in the surgical procedures is the minimally invasive quick spay with a hook.
Photo: Advertisement of the Sterilization service being offered by the Center for Animal Control and Welfare of Toluca.
Anti-Rabies Vaccination Another permanent campaign run by the Center for Animal Control and Welfare of the city is for anti-rabies vaccination. The months of March and September are the periods of highest activity when vaccination is promoted during sterilization campaigns with the mobile units. The vaccine and its application are completely free and the animal receives a certificate with the date of its next vaccination. The municipality of Toluca, in conjunction with the Institute of Health of the State of Mexico, applied a total of 112,660 vaccines as of May 2019. Photo: Rabies vaccination week advertisement from the Center for Animal Control and Welfare of Toluca
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Toluca - Mexico
Education in Responsible Ownership To promote a culture of respect and care for animals, especially companion animals, the Center for Animal Control and Welfare uses various outreach strategies in schools and public and private businesses directed at people of all ages. Among the topics addressed are the benefits of dog and cat sterilization and the responsible ownership of companion animals.
Larger scope events, such as the “My Loyal Friend” festival during the celebration of World Animal Day and the annual “Human Rights and Animal Welfare” forum, are also promoted. Abundant promotional material is also distributed and information about different topics is spread through the social network accounts of the Animal Control and Welfare Center.
Prevention of Aggression The municipality has a clinical observation program for aggressive dogs and cats that offers citizens information on the topic as well as strategies to prevent aggression and attacks by packs of dogs. In the last year, more than 150
cases involving requests from citizens to break up potentially aggressive dog packs were attended. This is done by sterilizing the females.
Pet Registration and Identification Program The Biodiversity Code of the State of Mexico establishes compulsory registration of all owned dogs and cats. The service is offered by Toluca´s Animal Control and Welfare Center.
Roaming animals that enter the sterilization and reintegration program are marked to indicate the month in which they were sterilized. The marks prevent them from being recaptured and allow the public to identify them as sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.
Community Animals Community animals of Toluca (those that have ties of dependence with the community where they live despite lacking an individually defined owner) are recognized by law. They are registered, identified, sterilized, and cared for. With the help of community animal caregivers, social leaders, and civil associations, Capture, Sterilize, Vaccinate,
Mark, and Return (CEVMAR, for its Spanish acronym) program is carried out. To do this, however, the animals must spend at least five days in the Animal Control and Welfare Center facilites. Afterward, they are released in their place of origin. Toluca is the only city in Mexico that has a CEVMAR program.
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Toluca - Mexico
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse In the State of Mexico, animal abuse complaints is the responibility of the Assistant Prosecutor for Wildlife Protection. In a joint effort, the muncipality of Toluca treats cases and reports of abuse through the Legal and
Investigative Department of the Ministry of the Environment. The Animal Protection and Welfare Center has two veterinary doctors authorized to work as environmental overseers with a focus on the topic of abuse.
Resocialization and Reintroduction to Society Dogs and cats that are injured, sick, or abandoned go to the Animal Control and Welfare Center Facilities. After treatment, they undergo a health and behavioral evaluation and they are later sent to the adoption program.
This program promotes the selection of adopters based on the animal’s needs in order to encourage responsible adoption. In under five months, more than 100 animals that had previously been rescued by the Center, were adopted.
Photo: Poster advertising the Campaign to walk adoptable dogs from the Center for Animal Control and Welfare.
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Toluca - Mexico
Rehabilitation of Aggressive Dogs Dogs that arrive at the Animal Control and Welfare Center with aggressive behavior are evaluated by a specialist who offers guidance to caregivers to ensure the consistency
and tracking of their handling and thereby expedite their integration into the adoption program.
Raising Awareness Against Abandonment As part of its effort to discourage animal abandonment, the municipality promotes training to the public. This training is given by a canine behavior specialist on a fixed schedule. Information is also spread through social media. Accompanied by two fantastical children’s characters, the cat Mimí and the dog Tolín, the Animal Control and Welfare center program visits schools and communities to raise awareness against abandonment. Through fun activities, the children are made aware of this topic. Photo: Tolín the dog, mascot for the Educational actions against abandonment of animals.
Sale of Dogs and Cats The sale of dogs and cats in Toluca is controlled and overseen by the Legal and Investigative Ministry. The agency relies on the participation of the public to report
irregularities so the offenders can be penalized and animals sold under irregular conditions can be rescued.
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Venado Tuerto Argentina
Venado Tuerto - Argentina
The Argentine city of Venado Tuerto is located in the south of the province of Santa Fe. Since 1999, it has had a canine dispensary responsible for providing free dog sterilization. This service was expanded in 2014 to attend cats as well. November of 2018 marked the inauguration of the Municipal Institute of Animal Health and Cohabitation (IMUSCA, for its acronym in Spanish), which is the organization in charge of free sterilization and vaccination. The institute acts on three fronts: education and awareness campaigns, complaints and registration of dogs and cats, and the Municipal Canine Dispensary, which is the health department for veterinary services. Currently, in Venado Tuerto, having an unsterilized animal is almost considered abuse. In the last five years, the demand for this procedure in males increased fivefold. The availability of information about the topic and the
commitment and continuity of the free vaccination service (for 20 years) caused the 2018 campaign to experience a 60% increase in demand. The municipality supports the efforts of the international organization Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and it is engaged in several notable activities directed toward the humane treatment of dogs and cats. These include the prohibition of the use of fireworks as well as the following campaigns: “Stepping in it doesn’t Bring Good Luck” to raise awareness about the importance of picking up feces; “A Good Owner, a Happy Dog” about responsible ownership; “Put a Tag on it” for the identification of companion animals; and the campaign against the “Abandonment of Greyhounds”. Many of these initiatives receive support from the Dog Shelter of the TREWA Foundation and from private enterprise.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) for Dogs and Cats
Photo: Reproductive control program through surgical sterilization in the city of Venado Tuerto.
As a public health policy, the municipality offers the permanent service of free cat and dog sterilization. The Municipal Canine Dispensary carries out 80 procedures per week and provides transportation for the animals using its own vehicles when the owners do not have the possibility of taking them there. There is also a mobile unit, the “Green Ears�, with surgical equipment from the dispensary. The mobile unit travels to neighborhoods on the periphery that have the adequate health and hygiene conditions to install an operating room. In 2018, a total of 3,041 animals were sterilized.
Surgical sterilization with the removal of reproductive organs (gonads and uterus) is done as a form of permanent, one-time reproductive control. This surgical procedure is considered an acquired right for citizens as part of the comprehensive public health program and it permits the reproductive control of companion animals in an effective, safe, and definitive way. The municipality has the power to capture ownerless animals from public streets whether they have identification or not. It follows the protocol of capture, evaluate, neuter, identify, vaccinate and disseminate to find the owner or, if necessary, return the animal to its place of origin after its recovery.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Anti-Rabies Vaccination
Photo: Anti-rabies vaccination campaign carried out in the Municipality of Venado Tuerto
The free annual anti-rabies vaccine is compulsory and is applied daily in the Municipal Canine Dispensary to all dogs and cats that arrive there to be sterilized. Vaccination is a priority in the Dog Shelter of the TREWA Foundation, in establishments with more than 12 companion animals, and for community animals (those that depend on the community despite lacking an individual defined owner).
On Saturdays, neighborhood campaigns are carried out with municipal and private veterinarians who are supported by volunteers. If owners cannot transport their pets or cannot pay for the vaccine there are 20 different stations where these animals can be taken.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Education in Responsible Ownership
Photo: Children receiving education on responsible pet ownership in Venado Tuerto
Education on companion animal responsible ownership in Venado Tuerto is offered in schools and is supported by “superheroes”. In schools, the topic is addressed at three levels (preschool, primary, and secondary) with a series of content that guides the work of the teachers with theoretical foundations and examples of real situations and practices. The municipality offers printed material and fun activities that can be enriched and adapted by the teachers.
This is part of a much broader project of civic education for children that includes the participation of four superheroes from the “Urban League”. Super Mara is the one who teaches about the care and protection of companion animals as well as respect for wild species that should be preserved and never captured.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Prevention of Aggression
Photo: Work team promoting actions related to “One health” and World Rabies day.
Prevention of aggression is addressed by a program that acts on three fronts: direct communication, education in responsible ownership, and the campaign “A Good Owner, A Happy Dog”. As part of the direct communication, the topic is publicized on radio and television programs. The subject of canine aggression, its different types, the prevention of attacks and the recognition of canine
language and the signs that precede aggressive behavior are addressed with responsible ownership education. The campaign “A Good Owner, A Happy Dog” holds gatherings in squares and public spaces which include the participation of veterinarians and trainers. The events are attended by people who want to be informed about the behavior and aggressiveness of dogs (theirs or otherwise) and want to receive advice about responsible ownership and how to prevent an attack.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Registration and Identification Every animal that is sterilized at the Municipal Canine Dispensary receives a tattoo on the right ear that corresponds to the year of the neutering. The management system of the municipality of Venado Tuerto files the date of sterilization, information regarding the owner or the animal’s origin, and photographs that identify the dog.
Photo: Campaign promoting registration and indentification of dogs and cats.
Community Animals Community animals are the most vulnerable to any kind of attack, accident, or poisoning. For this reason, the municipality of Venado Tuerto always seeks a “special adoption� for these animals and acknowledges that an animal that is accustomed to the streets is harder to keep inside a house.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse The Municipal Institute of Animal Health and Cohabitation has a complaint center for animal abuse. Reports are received in person at the office or by telephone, primarily in the most urgent cases. The anonymity of the informers is guaranteed since 80% of cases involve neighbors. The initial verification procedure is carried out by a municipal mediation and inspection team which verifies if the reported
situation is considered abuse or not, whether or not it can be corrected, and if it is necessary to rescue the animal. Since it is a “joint agency�, the IMUSCA also has a police officer that receives complaints that, due to their nature, do not go through municipal arbitration and instead are sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Rescue of Abandoned Animals The municipality has a rescue program for animals that are suffering, have no owner, are aggressive, in danger, or that pose some type of risk. The first assistance is provided by the Municipal Canine Dispensary and, depending on each case, it can work jointly with the Dog Shelter of the TREWA Foundation.
Shelter has optimal facilities for isolation and recovery, socialization kennels, and large kennels where dogs can remain until they are adopted.
The Municipal Dispensary has two observation and isolation kennels used as a temporary shelter. The Dog
The existence of the shelter is concerning because some believe it could encourage the idea of abandoning pets.
Several independent protectors and veterinary centers collaborate with the recovery and adoption of the animals.
Feral Animals Venado Tuerto is located in a rural area that is highly agricultural and it is the only city in the region with public policies dedicated to the management of dog and cat populations. For cats, the TNR method (trap, neuter, return)
is employed. There is no specific program for feralized dogs or ones that roam the countryside, and neighboring communities have not expressed concern.
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Venado Tuerto - Argentina
Raising Awareness against Abandonment In Venado Tuerto, campaigns against abandonment are focused on prevention through responsible adoption. Campaigns like “A Good Owner, a Happy Dog” offer information in independent veterinary centers of the city to help people better care for their dog, understand animal behavior, and avoid the breakdown of bonds that leads to abandonment. One of the most exciting events of the dog breed exhibition that is annually organized by the Rural Society of Venado
Tuerto is the greyhoundsparade led by volunteers from the Shelter. These racing dogs are victims of abuse, exploitation, and abandonment and they remind us of the importance of responsible ownership. To strengthen the human-animal bond, parades and walks are organized in conjunction with the TREWA Foundation, a local NGO, to promote responsible ownership, adoption, and commitment to animal care.
Photo: Advertisement of the adoption campaign - Adopt a rescued dog!
Photo: “A Good Owners, a Happy Dog” campaign
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Vinhedo
SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil
Vinhedo - SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil
The city of Vinhedo in the state of SĂŁo Paulo lies 80 km from the capital and has an estimated population of 78,000 inhabitants. The work done by the municipality in the interest of animal welfare is centered around three major pillars: education, population control, and animal registration. More than half of the population of the city sterilizes its
animals in private clinics. For this reason, the focus of public policy is aimed at serving the citizens with most need who cannot afford private veterinary services, as well as helping animal protection agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
Mayor of Vinhedo - Mr. Jaime Cruz visiting the sterilization campaign.
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Vinhedo - SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil Reproductive Control Program (sterilization) of Dogs and Cats Since 2003, the Public Sterilization Program of Vinhedo has been delivered in previously contacted clinics. Since 2017, the program has operated every month of the year for an average of 700 annual procedures with a cost of between 60 and 180 reals per animal. The Center for Control of Zoonotic Disease sterilizes for free on a daily basis with priority given to street animals, families in need, and animal protectors for an average of 400 sterilizations annually. The reproductive control program of the municipality is realized by way of surgical sterilizations (removal of the uterus and testicles) performed by veterinary physicians of
the district and others who have been previously contacted. Dogs and cats, both male and female, are sterilized. Priority is given to low income neighborhoods, community animals (animals with dependency ties to the community where they live despite lacking an individual defined owner), abandoned animals, protectors, and nongovernmental organizations. With females, a minimally invasive procedure known as the hook technique (ovariohysterectomy) is used and in males the testicles are removed (orchiectomy). All animals that participate in the program should be over the age of 4 months.
Photo: Mobile vet unit of Vinhedo - sterilization campaigns in peripheral neighborhoods.
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Vinhedo - SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil
Anti-Rabies Vaccination Free anti-rabies vaccination are given in annual neighborhood campaigns. The Center for Control of Zoonotic Disease also offers this service free of charge throughout the year. In this way, 60% coverage of the animal population is achieved, not counting the dogs and cats that are vaccinated in private clinics.
Free rabies vaccination campaign is carried out in the neighborhoods every year.
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Vinhedo - São Paulo - Brazil
Educational Programs Educational programs on animal welfare (domestic and wild) in schools of Vinhedo began in 2018. Today, these programs are offered in partnership with the state government and they receive sponsorship from private businesses.
spaces to distribute informative material about responsible ownership, to promote adoption events and communicate the arrival of abandoned animals in temporary homes.
First graders from municipal primary schools receive an animal welfare certificate that was specifically designed for this project. At the same time, they receive books with cross-cutting content about the topics of sterilization, laws, basic care to be taken with dogs and cats, and responsible animal ownership in general. They also participated in talks about animal abuse with the Municipal Guard and received educational materials prepared in alliance with the Assistant State Coordinator of Animal Protection. Students from second grade attended talks given by veterinarians about zoonotic disease and care that must be taken with animals. Every month, the program “Animal Welfare in the Streets” from the Municipal Environmental Ministry goes to public “ABC of Animal Welfare” booklet produced by the Municipal Council for Animal Welfare (COMBEA) in partnership with the State Coordinator of Animal Protection.
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Vinhedo - SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil Registration and Identification Vinhedo began its animal identification and registration program in 2019. In a pioneering way, the program uses the CrowdPed application to create an inventory and identify cats and dogs, including ones with owners and those that roam the streets. The application uses cellphone cameras and biometric recognition technology to register the animals, which constitutes an alternative to the implantation of microchips.
to helping register the animals, this database can help find abandoned animals since the owner’s information appears in the system.
For the moment, the application is being used by municipal agents and by interested veterinarians to register vulnerable animals that have been attended, sterilized, or vaccinated but it is hoped that it will be available for the general public in the future. The website of the municipality provides a link for voluntary registration of dogs and cats. This link also appears on water bills so that citizens can register their animals. The stored data is made available to veterinarians and professionals in the centers for zoonotic disease. In addition
Photo: Cat being identified in the Registration & Identification Program in the city of Vinhedo.
CrowdPet APP used in Vinhedo - this APP uses biometric recognition and georeferencing technologies to identify animals.
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Vinhedo - SĂŁo Paulo - Brazil
Community Animals Since the beginning of 2018, community animals of Vinhedo have been protected by a municipal law. The Community Animal Program indicates that all community dogs and cats of the city should be registered at a municipal level, receive veterinary attention, and be sterilized and vaccinated. After being sterilized, the animals are returned to their community of origin and their caregivers, who should enter into a commitment contract. In this way, the right of these
dogs and cats to an ecologically balanced environment, common use spaces, and a healthy quality of life is guaranteed. The process of implementing this legislation received technical support from the NGO World Animal Protection, which participated in the public hearing that was held in the city in 2017.
Inspection and Attention to Animal Abuse When a case of animal abuse is identified, citizens of Vinhedo should make an anonymous report to the Municipal Guard, an animal protection NGO, or to the Municipal Council of Animal Welfare (COMBEA, for its acronym in Portuguese). The team that receives the complaint verifies the facts and if necessary, gives the animal over to a veterinarian who assesses its health status and creates an expert report.
The animal can be removed from the site by a district agent or by a municipal police officer. The perpetrator of the animal abuse is subject to a fine of up to 6,000 reals according to municipal law. A criminal process is also opened and, in accordance with state law, the person in question is prohibited from owning the abused animal or any other animals for a period of five years.
Adoption Program Vinhedo has an average of 12 spaces per species to receive rescued dogs and cats. The rescue and resocialization is done in partnership with nongovernmental organizations that take the animals to adoption events after they have been sterilized and vaccinated. This system relies on a professional who is specialized in resocialization and rehabilitation of aggressive dogs.
The adoption and temporary home programs operate according to the judgement of each agency involved but the postadoption follow up is done by professionals from the Municipal Health Ministry.
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Vinhedo - São Paulo - Brazil
Responsible Ownership Any citizen of Vinhedo who catches someone in the act of abandoning an animal can register a complaint in the Municipal Civil Guard. It is sufficient to provide the license plate number of the vehicle that was used or to give other characteristics that can identify the perpetrator and make the report. This service is promoted through publicity billboards in the city. However, reporting is not enough. It is necessary to make the public aware of the importance of responsible ownership. To do this, Vinhedo is active in schools where it has distributed nearly 4,000 copies of the storybook “Monica and Her Friends: Take Good Care of Your Friend”, produced by Mauricio de Sousa and distributed for free by the state government throughout the municipal school system. The city also holds talks that are open to the public and organizes the “Animal Welfare Gatherings” together with the neighboring municipality of Itatiba. Photo: Child using the comic “Turma da Mônica: Take care of your friend ”, produced by Mauricio de Sousa and provided free of charge by the state government, for students in the municipal schools.
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