Deep in the heart of Brazil, there’s an animal shelter – with a twist. While it runs like your typical animal shelter, it’s actually built on a very unique platform. Not only does this shelter serve animals, it also serves the homeless population in a big way.
Homelessness Crisis In Brazil
Did you know that approximately one-third of Brazilians are either homeless or living in very poor conditions? (1) This statistic is staggering. Armed with this information, journalist and animal rights activist Glenn Greenwald, alongside partner and Rio de Janeiro city councilmember David Miranda, have been taking matters into their own hands.
An Unconventional Animal Shelter
By combining their love of furry creatures with their passion for serving misunderstood and vulnerable populations, this dynamic couple has cooked up a groundbreaking new idea – They’ve created an animal shelter that only hires homeless people. (2) This will prove to be a tremendous opportunity for homeless people looking for work who have experience with pets. According to a 2013 Canadian study conducted by social psychologist Dr.Lem, a lack of housing or reliable pet care can severely restrict a homeless person’s ability to find and maintain employment. (3)
Greenwald and Miranda are striving to change that. Greenwald states, “We started realizing that if we could tap into this power, this incomparable love, that forms this mutual needing between homeless people and abandoned animals, we could build something really powerful and really beautiful. And that’s how we got the idea for this shelter.” (2) It’s with this compassionate vision the shelter began to take shape.
Getting A New Lease On Life, Together
The shelter’s first hire, Lucas, has already reaped the rewards of this innovative business platform.
Prior to starting his employment, 20-year-old Lucas was living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Greenwald happened to be walking by and noticed him caring for a very sick puppy. The devotion and tenderness in his approach touched Greenwald, and like serendipity, their relationship blossomed in a very impactful way.
Since Lucas has been employed, he has been able to gain financial stability and find appropriate housing. (2) While he was helping to rescue and rehabilitate the animals, he was also able to rescue and rehabilitate himself at the same time. At this special Brazilian animal shelter, both animals and humans can get a new lease on life together.
How You Can Get Involved
The shelter currently runs from Greenwald and Miranda’s home. However, once enough money is raised they will be able to open up a larger shelter. This will enable them to continue helping both animals and humans get back on their paws and feet.
The shelter’s GoFundMe page has raised more than $130,000 of their $200,000 goal. They’re certainly getting close, but they still need your help to bring this project to light! If you’re interested in contributing, you can visit their GoFundMe. (2)
On a broader note, Greenwald and Miranda are hoping to inspire existing or new animal shelters to adopt a similar business model. This could be the start of an exciting new movement. Let’s get the ball rolling!
