My husband and I spent all of last week preparing our apartment for the new arrivals. We bought a bed, toys and food. We also double layered the netting on the balcony because I was convinced they would find a way to wiggle through. A gerbil could now safely run around our balcony. Well, except for the two cats. The gerbil would be saved from falling only to become dinner for our two newest additions.
Monday night, we went to the lovely and generous Janaina’s house to formally take custody of Mingau & Canela. Janaina volunteers with a group in Vitoria called Adoção Gatinhos de UFES. The group, run entirely by volunteers in their spare time, takes care of the huge population of cats living at the Federal University here in Vitoria. They leave food out and when they can they adopt out the kittens they find and the friendly adults. They also spay and neuter the ones they can catch.
The group maintains a blog with a constant stream of photos and contact info for cats who need homes in the Vitoria area. Whether it’s a vet clinic with kittens or someone who brought in a stray off the street, the group posts info about the cat and foster parent. They have created a great database of cats currently in need throughout the city.
I found Janaina after spotting a beautiful cat named Luan on the website. I sent her an email and got a response the same day. Three days later, my husband and I went to her house to meet the kitties up for adoption. Luan had been adopted but Janaina had one adult female and the last two kittens out of a litter of five, plus the kittens’ mom.
Janaina’s home was very modest. Her family is not rolling in so much money that vet visits, litter, food and toys are inconsequential costs, but she had given these cats everything they needed. They had scratching posts, bowls full of food and more jingly balls than any cat could ever want. In addition to the foster cats, Janaina has three cats of her own and feeds a stray that comes by every morning. Janaina’s generosity is making a difference in the lives not only of the cats she adopts out but also for everyone in the community.
Without a doubt, keeping a pet population under control and vaccinated is a public health issue and Brazil (at least Rio and Vitoria) has a problem with pet overpopulation. There seems to be a strong cultural resistance to spaying and neutering pets. Particularly neutering. I see more dog testicles bouncing around Rio in one weekend, than in a decade back home in the States. And that’s with having a veterinarian in my family. Groups like Adoção Gatinhos de UFES are doing the public a service by getting animals fixed, vaccinated and off the streets.
These groups exist all over Brazil. In Rio there’s Quatro Patinhas , which adopts both cats and dogs. Those in Sao Paulo you can visit these sites: for cats Adote um Gatinho or Abrigo Salas has both dogs and cats. Gatinhos de Toda Parte lists cats available for adoption throughout Brazil.
There are a lot of animals in need here in Brazil. If any fellow expats are worried about what they will do with a pet if/when it’s time to go home, just take the pet with you. There are entire companies devoted to international pet transportation. They will take care of everything including the necessary paperwork to get your pet through customs. Check out Pet Movers or Air Animal just to get an idea of the many options available.
Think about it. I’ve had a kitten in my lap while writing this post and there really aren’t many things more adorable or calming than a purring kitten.
