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They could not make a shelter for them..... but they made a village for them..
- Brazil proved to be a country worried about the protection of animals, proof of this is the Foundation of the first hostel for dogs and abandoned cats that live on the streets of this country.
Hundreds of tightly packed zinc-roofed shacks dot a hillside slum - one of thousands of ‘favelas’ that are home to millions of poor Brazilians across the country.
But this slum in the southern city of Caxias do Sul is a home for dogs, not humans.
The unique animal shelter was set up by the NGO Sociedade Amiga dos Animais (Friend of Animals Society) in 1998 to try and cope with the hundreds of abandoned animals in the city.
Dog city: A unique animal shelter run by the NGO Sociedade Amiga dos Animais (Friend of Animals Society) in the city of Caxias do Sul lies in Brazil
Packed out: The shelter, based on a three-acre plot of land donated by the local authority, is home to 1,600 dogs and 200 cats
Residents: A dog hides inside one of the tiny zinc-roofed shacks, left, while another abandoned pet sits up outside his temporary home waiting for someone to adopt him
Volunteers: The NGO Sociedade Amiga dos Animais (Friend of Animals Society) is looking for as much help as possible
But the numbers kept increasing and the dog town, located on a three-acre plot of land donated by the local authority, is now home to 1,600 dogs and 200 cats.
Many of the animals that end up at the favela are found on the streets and some have been victims of abuse.
Favelas, which are a common sight throughout Brazil's major cities, are home to millions of urban poor and rural migrants who leave the countryside seeking jobs. Many of the slums are plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking.
Dog slum: The NGO hopes to raise more money to improve the conditions at the shelter
Stretched beyond its capacity: The NGO is receiving more dogs everyday than the number being adopted leading to overcrowding
Cramped: Three large canines have squeezed themselves into a tiny dog shack meant for just one animal
The dog favela is constantly overcrowded, as the number of animals arriving daily exceeds the number of those being adopted.
Stretched beyond its capacity, the NGO hopes to receive financial aid from the government to improve the favela’s tattered conditions and increase the number of animals it can care for.
Like in human shanty towns, the main challenge facing the dog favela is making ends meet.
According to the NGO, the animals consume about 12 tons of food per month.
On the mend: The dogs are treated for their injuries and fed - the shelter gets through 12 tons of food every month
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