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Animal welfare in Madeira

How to report an animal that needs help.

Find the right contact, send a clear report and stay nearby when it is safe. Save this page for the moment you need it.

Find your contactUse the email template
Volunteer walking a shelter dog in Madeira
Is the animal injured, sick or in immediate danger?Call the local Bombeiros now and stay close if it is safe to do so.

Step by step

The three things to do.

If you are next to the animal right now, follow this order. It applies to dogs, cats and most domestic animals in need.

01

Find your contact.

Identify the municipality. Call the Bombeiros for an injured or sick animal. Email the Câmara for neglect, strays or sterilisation.

02

Send the email.

Write to GNR, copying the Provedor do Animal and the municipality. Include a description, exact location, photos and video.

03

Stay nearby.

If you called, stay with the animal when it is safe — ideally until the rescue team arrives. Your presence helps them locate and protect it.

Step 01 · Find your contact

Contacts by municipality.

Phone: injured or sick animals. Email: neglect, strays and sterilisation.

Always emailGNR[email protected]+351 291 214 460
Always CCProvedor do Animal[email protected]+351 291 212 100

Step 02 · Send the email

Copy. Paste. Send.

Adjust the subject and text to match what you see. Add a Google Maps link and attach clear photos or video.

Email template · Português
SubjectCão negligenciado — Funchal (São Martinho)
Email body
Bom dia,

Venho por este meio reportar a seguinte situação:
[descreva aqui a situação]

Incluo imagens em anexo.

Localização: [cole o link do Google Maps ou a morada]

Aguardo o vosso feedback em relação aos procedimentos subsequentes a este email o mais rápido possível.

Os melhores cumprimentos,
[o seu nome]
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Special cases

Wildlife and key numbers.

For an injured bird or another wild animal, call whichever of these contacts responds first.

Beyond the report

Local animal associations.

Most are volunteer-led charities working under great pressure. Be patient and kind when you contact them, and offer a donation when you can.

Funchal

  • Funchal Public Shelter (municipal)
  • Amais
  • SPAD Funchal
  • Vamos Lá Madeira
  • Patinhas Felizes
  • AMAW — Madeira Animal Welfare
  • ASAA — Abrigo SOS Amor aos Animais
  • Ajuda a Alimentar Cães

Câmara de Lobos

  • Kitty Camp Madeira

Ribeira Brava

  • Street Dogs Madeira
  • ASArb

Ponta do Sol

  • Patinhas ao Sol
  • Madeira Sanctuary
  • BBPets

Calheta

  • AnimaHilfe für Tiere e.V.

Porto Moniz

  • No formal association listed

São Vicente

  • 4Patinhas São Vicente

Santana

  • Abrigo Municipal Santana

Machico

  • Abrigo Municipal Machico
  • MyShelter Friends

Santa Cruz

  • CRO Santa Cruz
  • Animad

Porto Santo

  • Aama Porto Santo

Some areas have no formal association. Local volunteers also feed and care for cat colonies across the island outside formal organisations.

Beyond reporting

More ways to help today.

01

Sterilise

Help associations trap, transport and return cats. Sterilisation is the strongest long-term way to stabilise street populations.

02

Donate or fundraise

Funding pays for food, treatment, transport and sterilisation. It can determine whether an association is able to help.

03

Volunteer

Walk dogs, socialise cats, clean kennels, drive animals to the vet or photograph animals waiting for adoption.

04

Foster

Provide a temporary home. Even one animal or litter in foster care frees critical shelter space.

05

Encourage adoption

Share adoption posts and help older animals and those often overlooked find the right home.

06

Speak up

Report, document and share responsibly. Every formal report adds pressure for better rules and more inspection.

Every report matters

Help build a kinder Madeira.

Using the proper channels creates more pressure for better protection and inspection.

Find the right contact
Animal welfare volunteering in Madeira
Report an animal