Clube dos Vira-Latas

Clube dos Vira-Latas (formally Clube dos Vira Latas – Grupo de Proteção aos Animais de Ribeirão Pires) was founded in 2001 by Maria Aparecida das Graças "Cida" Lellis, a retired banking professional who gave her savings and a smallholding (chácara) in Ribeirão Pires to set up the shelter. "Vira-lata" is the Brazilian Portuguese word for a mixed-breed or street dog. Cida Lellis died in 2010, and volunteers and staff have carried on the work she started.

The shelter looks after more than 500 animals, mostly dogs. The charity says that most of the dogs that reach it have been hit by vehicles, mistreated or abandoned, and that it gives priority to street dogs whose lives are at risk. It reports more than 15,000 adoptions since it opened.

The kennels are covered and each has an open area for exercise and sunshine. The shelter has its own vet and surgeon, a hospital with inhalation anaesthesia equipment for complex and orthopaedic operations, and 12 intensive-care beds where recovering dogs are watched every day, including weekends and holidays.

Clube dos Vira-Latas is a registered non-profit civil society organisation and says it survives entirely on donations. You can adopt, sponsor a dog, donate money or supplies such as food, blankets, medicines and cleaning products, or arrange a visit to the shelter. The shelter does not publish its address openly, so contact it through its official website to arrange a visit.