SPAD - Sociedade Protectora dos Animais Domésticos do Funchal

Founded in 1897, SPAD - Sociedade Protectora dos Animais Domésticos do Funchal is a non-profit association based in Funchal, Portugal working on animal welfare, community development.

The SPAD is a private non-profit institution in Funchal, Madeira, founded in 1897 to fight for the rights and welfare of domestic animals. It takes in stray and abandoned animals, provides veterinary assistance when they are sick, and runs an adoption service for dogs and cats. Adoptions include vaccination, deworming, microchipping and sterilisation, and adopters pay a co-responsibility fee. The organisation runs CliniSPAD, a veterinary clinic, and SPADolândia, a shop selling animal hygiene and welfare products. It also carries out awareness sessions and visits for schools and encourages responsible adoption. The shelter has capacity for about 150 animals, and the municipal kennel of Funchal is managed by the SPAD under a protocol signed in 2005. Its income comes from member fees, services, product sales and donations. The organisation is recognised as a public utility institution.