Animals are fantastic companions! The truth is that it is impossible to feel alone next to a four-legged friend. When you get home, and your dog receives you full of joy, or when your cat rubs its head on you looking for petting, you know that you have found a friend for life.

It is with the animals that have no owner in mind that Agora Aveiro gathered its volunteers intending to raise awareness in the community about abandonment of animals and responsible adoption. In Portugal, about 10,000 animals are abandoned every year. Unfortunately, animal shelters and kennels are not able to answer to this number. It is therefore important to promote the work of local animal associations and support them in their mission.

There is nothing like action to change mentalities and, with that, society. For  the impact to spread throughout the community and reach anyone, Agora Aveiro joined AMA - Amigos do Abrigo Quintã do Loureiro, Animais de Rua and Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia - AAUAv to organize a very fluffy week.

From the 10th to the 21st of May, we challenged the students of the University of Aveiro (UA) and the local population to participate in a Goods and Food Collection in favor of AMA. We placed collection points in 12 departments of UA, and four local shops in the city, allowing anyone to contribute to this cause.

For a physically and mentally active morning, nothing is better than a good dog walk, with the right company and some prizes in the mix. So, on Saturday, May 15th, we invited dogs and their owners to a dog walk in Passadiços de Aveiro. An excellent opportunity to also take some of AMA’s dogs for a walk. To join in, our participants only had to bring one (or more) goods to donate to AMA. In the afternoon, the PetTalks took place - an online conversation with the association Animais de Rua. Broadcasted live on Agora Aveiro's Facebook page, it featured a variety of topics, from animal abandonment and sterilisation to pet care.

The city's response to “Projeto Au-Au” (Woof-Woof Project) was very positive, and together with the efforts of the academic community, association volunteers, shopkeepers, and the local community, we managed to deliver approximately 343 kg of food and other goods to AMA. 

We thank all of those who joined us and made a difference. Remember, if you want a companion and you have enough love to spare, go to AMA and responsibly adopt a four-legged friend!

“Projeto Au-Au” was carried out in partnership with AMA - AMigos do Abrigo Quintã do Loureiro, Animais de Rua and Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia - AAUAv. It counts with Orniex as a Main Sponsor, PetOutlet and Senta & Fica as Golden Sponsors and Dirty Dog, Barkyn, Patudos com Pinta and IFCO Systems Portugal as Silver Sponsors. It has the support of Município de Aveiro and IPDJ - Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude, I.P..