From the 11th to the 20th of November, the "Projeto Au-Au" (Woof-Woof Project) reached out to students, employees and teachers and organized a gathering of food and goods for the animals under the care of AFECTU. This action followed the "Cãominhada" previously organized by Agora Aveiro on March 11th, and aspired to raise awareness in the community about the value of animal shelters. This initiative carried the additional purpose of supporting AFECTU- Associação de Felinos e Caninos Todos Unidos (Association of Felines and Canines All United), a local shelter in Aveiro. 

The work developed by Animal Shelter Associations is of remarkable importance. A nacional census done in 2023 estimated the occurrence of 830 000 stray cats and 101 000 stray dogs in urbanized areas of Portugal. Consequently, there is an aggravation of livestock attacks and predation of fauna, threating public health, safety and biodiversity. 

The "Recolha de Bens & Alimentos" (Goods and Food Gathering) campaign took place in multiple schools in the region of Aveiro - Rio Novo do Príncipe Primary School, João Afonso de Aveiro Primary School, Santiago School Center, Vera Cruz Primary School, Glória Primary School, Aradas Primary School - and Alma de Alecrim, a commercial space in the heart of the city. It also received an unexpected contribution from the students of São Bernardo Primary School, who, on their own will, independently organized a gathering. Along with these goods, Agora Aveiro, through a collection of funds, managed to buy and compensate what was still needed. At last, with everything listed, we were able to collect around 500kg of food for dogs and cats, medical and cleaning products, toys, bowls, blankets, etc., which were sorted, counted, and delivered to AFECTU, afterwards.

We aimed to educate young minds and encourage them to seek out action, to actively contribute to an association that plays such a crucial role in its region. We hope to create an understanding between humans and domestic animals- dogs, cats, and many more- because just like us, they feel pain and sorrow and should never be neglected, mistreated or abandoned!

The “Projeto Au-Au” is part of the “Random Acts of Kindness” project by Agora Aveiro. It had Kaizen Pet Food Providers  as the "Main Partner," Orniex as the “Golden Partner,” and Dirty Dog, GoldPet, Biobom and Patinhas no Recreio as “Silver Partners,” along with the Escola do Rio Novo do Príncipe, Escola Básica João Afonso de Aveiro, Centro Escolar de Santiago, Escola Básica da Vera Cruz, Escola Básica da Glória, Escola Básica de Aradas,  Alma de Alecrim, Casa Martelo,  AMA - AMigos do Abrigo Quintã do Loureiro and AFECTU - Associação de Felinos e Caninos Todos Unidos as Partners. It was supported by the Municipality of Aveiro and the IPDJ - Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, I.P.