About Us
Learn about the history of Associação Os Amigos dos Animais and our work at Canil da Aroeira.
We are much more than a shelter in Aroeira
Canil da Aroeira belongs to Associação Os Amigos dos Animais (AOAA), founded on December 7, 1982, being the first animal welfare institution in the Setúbal district. It was recognized as a public utility by decision of the Almada Municipal Assembly on March 4, 1983.
Before the association was created, the space that is now Canil da Aroeira was a scene of horror: chained animals, starving, sick, covered in fleas... But with great dedication and work from all volunteers and management, everything possible and impossible was done so that the dogs in the shelter could have quality of life and love, with adoption being the priority.
Excellence in care
We can proudly say that our furry friends currently don't have a single flea, they receive baths and grooming weekly or whenever needed. They also receive all the medical care they need, whether preventive, treatment, or emergency care.
Over the years, the Association has dedicated itself to improving the precarious conditions the animals were in, suffering from cold, rain, excessive heat, and other hardships. Winter storms are terrible, requiring a great effort afterward to protect the dogs and repair the facilities.
With over 40 years of existence, AOAA has worked to rescue many abandoned, neglected, or abused dogs in the Almada municipality, sterilizing females including stray pack dogs or those from disadvantaged families, and working to reintegrate these animals through adoption.
The Shelter
Once a wooded area, the location where the shelter sits has since become quite urbanized and, as the land is not owned by AOAA, it doesn't allow for the construction of permanent facilities with the conditions we desire for the animals, staff, and volunteers who work there every day of the year.
Therefore, the Association has been focusing on finding alternatives, including obtaining municipal land and building a new community shelter.
We aim for a space that will provide useful services to the community and contribute to the financial sustainability of the project, while developing training programs, guided tours, and other initiatives aimed at promoting coexistence between animals and residents of the municipality.
The focus of our activities:
- 1Reduce abandonment and increase animal adoption
- 2Show the social utility these animals have for society
- 3Gain support for the alternative of a new multi-purpose shelter
Our partners
We thank everyone who supports us in caring for our furry friends.
Special thanks for the solar panels and the bathroom
To everyone who helps us daily through donations or volunteer work,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Without your help, we couldn't continue.