Municipality created a brigade that works 24 hours a day. Requests for help reach eight dozen daily
Paulo Lopes has already lost count of the number of animals he has rescued in these approximately four years in the service of CROA – Official Animal Collection Center of Famalicão. His passion for animals led him to be available 24 hours a day to help “animals in danger” and therefore it is not unusual for him to go to wells or climb trees and roofs to help dogs and cats. Now with the creation of the Animal Rescue Brigade, presented this Tuesday, he has the help of Sérgio Simões and Nuno Gomes, two colleagues for whom he trained. “My passion for animals has grown since I came to work here, so I have always been available 24 hours a day, every day,” he said, recalling the evening of last New Year when he received two calls.
Usually, requests for rescue come from police forces, firefighters and even private individuals. According to Fidélia Aboim, municipal veterinarian, the brigade can be called through the CROA emergency number for “animals on the public road without protection or in danger”.
