The municipality's Animal Defense area is receiving an important improvement, meeting a long-standing demand from animal caregivers and protectors. The new Municipal Animal Shelter is under construction in the Boa Vista neighborhood. The space will be located on a plot of land, acquired by the City Hall in 2025, measuring 20 thousand square meters – an area equivalent to approximately two football pitches – and will have 1,600 square meters of built area, similar to the size of a neighborhood supermarket or a small school. “It is a project that has been awaited for many years in the city, which the City Council has now managed to get off the ground thanks to well-articulated work, with teams committed to the animal cause and the protection of the environment”, stated the Municipal Administration. Currently, the Animal Shelter houses around 60 animals. With the new structure, capacity will be expanded to approximately 120 animals, doubling the service and providing better care and well-being conditions. The City Hall is already studying the possibility of managing the space by hiring a Civil Society Organization (CSO), with the aim of expanding specialized support for animal care. The construction of the new Municipal Animal Shelter was made possible through urban planning funding. On site, in addition to kennels and catteries, there will also be release areas for dogs and horses. Everything is expected to be ready and start operating by the end of next year.