Madeira TNR campaign
At the end of March, we’ll be joining a team of 10 trappers from the Animais de Rua on the island of Madeira to help trap, neuter and return over 500 cats across a dozen colonies within one week.
This campaign is made possible by the generosity of a several streamers via the Inner Circle initiative and by the tireless work of the Animais de Rua, who’ve arranged all logistics - digital maps of the colonies, app groups, supplies, vet coordination, communication with the municipalities and colony caretakers, arranging accommodation, transportation - there’s so much that goes into this and we are honoured to be a part of it.
The challenge
The beautiful island of Madeira is home to a hidden crisis: thousands of homeless cats. Abandoned, forgotten, born on the streets, these cats face daily struggles - hunger, illness, injury, and the harsh realities of life without shelter or proper care. Without intervention, their numbers continue to grow, leading to overcrowded colonies, increased suffering, and risks to both the cats and the island’s unique ecosystem.
The solution
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane, effective approach to managing and reducing the number of homeless cats. Cats are humanely trapped in targeted areas, spayed or neutered by veterinarians, and then returned to their original locations. TNR prevents the birth of countless kittens into a life of hardship. Over time, colonies shrink as natural attrition occurs without new litters. Overall health is improved as neutered cats are less likely to fight, reducing injuries and the spread of disease.
Support the campaign
There is currently enough budget to cover spay/neuter for 530 cats, as well as a limited number of FIV/Felv tests and microchips. We would love to be able to help with food supplies for the volunteer colony caretakers, deworm/deflea as we go, and possibly help spay/neuter even more cats while there.
Help on Madeira
Are you on Madeira and would like to support the campaign? Yes please! We need help transporting cats and volunteers, extra supplies such as carriers and newspapers, as well as food and drinks. Please reach out to madeira@animaisderua.org.
About Animais de Rua
Animais de Rua is a Portuguese animal welfare organisation, known for its commitment to helping stray and abandoned animals. Their work serves as an inspiring model for humane animal care, including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives and community education. Through the dedication of volunteers and the support of donors, Animais de Rua strives to reduce animal suffering, promote responsible pet ownership, and advocate for stronger animal protection laws. Their efforts highlight the power of collective action in creating a more compassionate society for all animals.