I am a veterinary medicine student and coming to Bons Amigos as a volunteer was an incredible experience. It gave me the opportunity to put into practice knowledge I have been acquiring throughout my years in university. As if that wasn’t enough, I was placed in a kind and cheerful team. But more importantly, I was able to understand the impact and importance of NGO’s like Bons Amigos in developing countries.
This NGO not only works towards animal welfare, but also takes an active role making efforts towards improving public health, by organizing spaying and deworming campaigns, raising awarness in schools and performing census in local comunities. A true example of the importance of the role of veterinary care in communities, reflecting the One Health concept.
I am very thankful for the amazing experience in Bons Amigos, and I strongly recommend anyone to come, help and join the cause.
Rita Jorge
I am a German vet and have collaborated with Bons Amigos for the third time now and counting.
Their incredible effort for Cape Verdian stray cats and dogs has led to many happy-ending stories whereas the association's main goal is the humane street animal population management.
Changes do happen, thanks to Bons Amigos' work and it can be seen in healthy and castrated street animals and in the way both, authorities and people, now change their behaviour and point of view on subjects such as animal welfare, population management and the One Health concept.
I am happy to support Bons Amigos now and in the future and am looking forward to the next castration campaigns.
I‘m a master student in veterinary medicine and had the opportunity to come to Cape Verde for my master thesis/internship.
In this time I had the chance to take part in the spaying campaign on Brava. It‘s amazing to see how quick and efficient Lara, Valentina and Alice changed simple garages into well organized operating rooms and so neutered several dogs and cats every day in a new place and still had time to teach and explain me a lot.
After the campaign back in Santiago I also got to meet the rest of the team and the daily business in the Bons Amigos clinic. It‘s impressive to see how all here are fully committed to the welfare of the animals and to a good cooperation with the Cape Verdian population.
Thank you all for this amazing weeks and the work you do here every day! I really will miss this!
This summer I worked volunteerily at bons amigos. I really thought I would know what to expect there as living conditions for the street animals - well I was wrong. If Bons Amigos would not exist on this island a lot more dogs and cats would die on those streets. They are all doing a very important and hard job to improve their lives for the moment and the future. It is incredible to see what can be built up from nothing with a vision and peoples help. Sometimes all those animals need is a place where there is someone to look after them and help them to get healthy again. This is why I think it is very important for Bons Amigos to have some volunteers, because the workers there are busy enough. Iam very happy to see that there is always something one can do to make other lifes livable again and there is still a lot to do. Thank you for that experience!
The importance of the work developed by Bons Amigos it's obvious when One read these testemonials. There are plenty stray animals living in the streets of Praia and Cape Verde and this project is of paramount importance in public health, animal welfare and Veterinary care.
I want to highlight the hospitality from the team of Bons Amigos and the people of Cape Verde and how they all did their best to make me feel at home during my stay as volunteer.
It's outstanding the work they do under the scarcity of conditions many times presented, starting on water, because there seldom rains. For Bons Amigos All the Best!!!
I first got to know the Association of Bons Amigos on the island of Brava in 2019. Whilst living there, the tension between the population and the stray dogs was very high and palpable. Multiple times I heard news of people poisoning them, killing newborn litters and there was even a case of the burning of dozens of dogs to try to control the population.
The work the association did on the Island was incredible, and so needed! Not only did they contribute to the control of the population of animals, but they also cared for the wounded animals they found along the way. They offered a ray of hope to a situation that seems very hard to manage. Even after their departure, they were always open and helpful whenever I needed support caring for a dog (poisoned, pregnant, or wounded). I contacted them multiple times to ask questions and advice on what to do and their responses were a true reflection of their generosity and of the genuine care they have for the animals and their mission.
Now after two years I've returned to Brava, and I can affirm without any doubt that their work is still much needed, seeing that there are still stray dogs and animals to be neutered. It is a very important mission and it's a great contribution both to the animal's health and safety and to the possibility of a good relationship between them and the local population.
I'm very happy to see them back here to continue this crucial work.
Bons amigos is a true blessing for all the cats and dogs of Santiago!
I am more than happy to get the opportunity to help and work with them, and see what they do first Hand, thank you!
In Praia on Santiago Island, Cabo Verde, there is an excess of stray animals, although many of them have an owner, representing a serious problem for animals and humans. Therefore, the main objective of the association is to effectively control hygienic and sanitary problems caused by the overpopulation of stray dogs and cats, through spaying and deworming campaigns, prevention and treatment of zoonoses and other diseases, providing information and sensitization of the population and creation of “responsible communities”. In this way, the association contributes to the improvement of animal and public health, environmental conditions and animal welfare. Bons Amigos association supports the concept of “One Health”.
My experience as a volunteer was incredible! In addition to the amazing team, the days were very well spent and I was able to learn a lot on a practical and theoretical level while helping the cause. All help is welcome!
- Catarina
I had an amazing experience as a vet student volunteering at Bons Amigos. I got to learn so many different things not only related to medicine practice itself but specially related to the importance that associations like Bons Amigos have.
Their hard working team can make a huge difference in animals’ life but also concerning to public health.
Bons Amigos need and deserve everyone’s support!
Bons Amigos is an association doing good work to address population control and improve the health of street dogs and cats in Praia. The organization has a great deal of potential with a hard working team. The organization enjoys some support from the community as the only option for castration and small animal veterinary services in Praia. They do need much better cages for cats and recovering animals, both for the comfort and safety of the animals as well as the need for cages that can be kept more sanitary. The staff work hard to help injured cats and dogs with extremely limited resources. Medication, basic vaccines, flea and tick medication, fosters for puppies and kittens and volunteers are always needed and welcomed. In spite of many challenges challenges, staff shortages and limited resources — this is a solid organization with a dedicated team. I do what I can to help by providing canned food, bedding, towels, cat litter and various other items lacking when I volunteer each Saturday. Come join me and help make a difference. We always need people to foster puppies and kittens… Susi