We are family

 

By Shirley Cheong, Grace Kou, Carmen Sou

 

 

From our perspective, whatever beautiful can be referred to art - so can a beautiful behavior.

  

Following a lady into a classically designed office, we noticed a man with grey hair, dressing in a sharp color windbreaker printed with ANIMA, talking on the phone. He is Albano Martins, president of the Society for the Animal Protection in Macau (ANIMA), the one who had moving stories to share with us.

  

ANIMA is a non-profit organization which aims to develop Macao as a role model community, in the awareness and prevention of neglectfulness and cruelty to animals. It provides adoption, rescue, education, clinic, accommodation and Special Protection Program (SPP) which protects animals outside ANIMA.

  

“Angel” of animals

 

The lady, introduced herself as Martins’ secretary, asked us to wait in the conference room for a moment. While we are setting up the equipment, we had a small talk with the secretary.

  

One day, ANIMA received a call at midnight from police, telling them that there was a kitten on the street. No staff was on duty at midnight, so Martins got up immediately and picked the kitten up.

  

In the next morning, she saw Martins went into his office every two hours, feeding the kitten, which is her most unforgettable and impressive memory of working in ANIMA.

  

Later, Martins gave us an apology, as he was hurrying in the conference room while we were setting up the photography equipment. He told us that he was dealing with the blocking of Australian dog imports in Macao, and said he was angry about people making money from dogs by buying and selling. This might be a rarely-known issue, but Martins’ body language and his tone of voice showed his determination of fighting rights and welfare for animals.

Martins and ANIMA

When Martins was small, he lived with his family in Africa. According to him, numerous kinds of wild animals could be found near the ocean which is close to his house, including sea lions, birds, cats, etc.

  

Martin’s father, a boat-making carpenter, was a kind and caring man that he usually brought injured animals home and took care of them. For Martins, it’s normal to live with animals together since he was little. “I got used to having animals at home. In Africa, animals can go to your home and nobody complains about it,” Martins said.

  

Influenced deeply by his father, Martins became an animal lover as well. Once he realized Macao was lack of animal protection laws, he was shocked. “It is impossible! How can this be possible?” he exclaimed. Shortly after, he and other founders established ANIMA to fight for animal welfare in 2003.  

  

In fact, a few animal welfare organizations were set up about a decade before. However, most of them failed as they had no professional lawyers to draft articles.

  

As a financial manager of a construction company, Martins’ expertise helped him implement his plan effectively. He invited one lawyer and made the procedure of drafting articles very efficient. Besides, Martins also invited 50 important professionals in Macao to be its founder members. Martins said, “In Macao, if you do not have important people in your association, it is very difficult for you to go ahead...at least not to block us.” Therefore, Martins and other founders were able to set up ANIMA in one month’s time while the others were not.

  

To Martin, ANIMA is not just an animal welfare organization, but a family. He said, “I prefer to call it a big family instead of shelter. For me, shelter is like a prison! You should treat others the way you want to be treated. Human wants respects from others, so do animals! Freedom is the most important thing.”

  

Martins strongly believed that animals should live as freely as human. Therefore, they shouldn’t be kept in cages, which exploit their freedom.  

  

Responsibilities

 

According to the secretary, when ANIMA receives rescue requests, Martins needs to give instructions to the rescue team. Also, Martins is responsible for its financial management such as sponsorships.

  

Besides, Martins also makes the final decision of animal euthanasia. But Martins only put animals suffering in incurable disease out of their misery.

  

To have closer contact with animals, we followed Martins to the ANIMA Shelter afterwards, which is located near Ka O Village. The dogs living in ANIMA barked loudly and energetically, just like greeting us when we passed by. The staff there showed us around, told us that ANIMA separates animals based on their physical situation, breeds, etc. Visitors or those who are interested in adoption can play and interact with the animals.

             

Moreover, ANIMA holds different types of regular activities such as adoption day and school visiting especially for primary schools. Martins highlighted that education is the keys to changing the cruel situation against animals, such education and the sense of responsibility should start and develop at early age. “If they understand animals are human’s companions. They are not for killing. If we promote this idea from the first beginning, I am sure that we can succeed.”

  

Adoption day is organized twice a month. At least one animal is adopted, according to Martins. Martins is glad to see that more people recognize the benefits of adoption. Yet, “the effectiveness is not big enough to reach the majority,” he said, “only with the implementation of law, it can really make a change.”

  

At the end of the interview, Martins promised that ANIMA will continue to strive for animals’ protection and hopefully they can accomplish this goal in a few years.