Patinhas Parceiras: the Puppy mission

By: V. Macedo

Are you one of those people whose heart melts every time you see a cute dog or cat? Do you get heart-broken when you see them in the streets? Most of you may know how domestic animals are increasingly being abandoned by their owners in recent times. The world is changing and with this sudden lockdown, we hope that you have had the opportunity to fully enjoy the company of your furry friend, as they do yours. So, you might be asking yourselves, “Of course animals are lovely and do not deserve to be treated the way many of them are, but where are you going with this?”  
 
Fortunately, many NGOs are constantly working and striving to rescue these strays to give them a better chance in life. Over these last few stressful months, two girls called Nina Pastore and Teresa Perez had similar ideas. With all that has been going around, neither of them had any idea what the other was planning! Eventually, they heard about their fellow animal lovers’ plans and decided to join forces. Together they created a small NGO called Patinhas Parceiras. This organization is focused on helping fund and financially support bigger centers focused on animal help. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, many NGOs are struggling to keep their animals and pay for simple surgeries that could save lives. With simple help and donations, you, could be the next to help save a life.

The first beneficiary to Patinhas Parceiras is a shelter called Kahdota. The girls helped pay the castration, as well as different vitamins and vaccines to many new dogs in the shelter. These kinds of treatments can cost up to R$700,00, including all of the basic treatments and monthly cost, which sometimes cannot be afforded. This limits the number of new dogs they can accept that need a home, and in some shelters, can also lead to euthanasia. This is why it is so important for you to adopt and save a life. Not only to directly rescue a dog but to open a space for another dog to be rescued. When Patinhas Parceiras visited, they met many adorable older dogs as well as puppies, that still haven’t found their forever home. There is always some way that you can help, so try your best and help save such innocent lives. 

After both girls started Patinhas Parceiras, they thought it would be a good idea to see if other St. Pauls pupils would like to help in this amazing mission, and they were right! They created an enrichment group that allowed students to help and eventually see the puppies too! In the enrichment everybody has a job, something they are good at that can help the NGO, and we have already made progress towards our goals.  
 
Some of our goals include helping the highest number of shelters in viable, planned, and organized way. We will help the shelters pay for medical treatments, blankets, food and find a forever family for their dogs. With your contribution, no matter how big or small, we can make it happen. 2020 has been an unpredictable year, shall we make it better with saving some puppies? 

This is Ursa, one of the dogs at Kahdota.