A new chapter in the fight against stray animal population has begun in San Michele Salentino, in the province of Brindisi, southern Italy. At the heart of this progress is OIPA Italy, whose local volunteers have worked alongside institutions to promote a humane, preventive and community-based approach to protecting animals living on the streets.
The opening of the new municipal veterinary shelter will make it possible to sterilise stray dogs and cats, addressing one of the main causes of the problem: uncontrolled reproduction. Preventing new litters means reducing the number of animals destined to be born on the streets, exposed to hunger, disease, accidents and abandonment.
However, OIPA knows that sterilisation alone cannot solve the problem. Animals also need safe places in which to recover, receive care and wait for a permanent family. For this reason, the Municipality of San Michele Salentino, the Local Police and OIPA’s Brindisi section have launched “Una Famiglia per Fido” – “A Family for Fido”.
OIPA Mobilises the Local Community
Through the project, OIPA is calling on residents to offer temporary foster care to dogs waiting to be adopted.
The appeal also extends to people who can temporarily welcome cats following sterilisation, allowing them to recover safely after surgery. Once recovered, the cats may be adopted or returned to their feline colony when their temperament and welfare needs make a free-roaming life in their familiar environment more appropriate.
Temporary foster care is a crucial bridge between life on the streets and adoption. It prevents vulnerable animals from being left without protection and gives volunteers valuable time to find the right family for each of them.
OIPA will stand alongside those who choose to help. Through its pet food donation drives, the organisation will provide food for the animals in foster care, offering concrete support to the families who open their homes and devote their time to an animal in need.
This practical commitment reflects OIPA Italy’s wider mission: not only raising awareness, but also building solutions, supporting volunteers and creating cooperation between citizens and public institutions.
From Individual Help to a Network for Animals
San Michele Salentino is also launching the “Amici degli Animali” – “Friends of Animals” label, designed to recognise the people and organisations that make a concrete contribution to the project.
Families, shops, companies, accommodation providers, associations and professionals will be able to join the initiative and become part of a local network united by a shared commitment to animal protection.
The label will be a visible sign of responsibility and solidarity towards animals. Those taking part will also be promoted through the communication channels of the Municipality and OIPA, helping to spread a culture of responsible care throughout the community.
By involving different sectors of society, OIPA aims to show that protecting stray animals is not the responsibility of volunteers alone. It is a collective commitment that requires institutions, residents and local businesses to work together.
An OIPA-Led Experience That Can Inspire Other Municipalities
The initiative represents an important example of how OIPA Italy’s experience and local presence can help transform institutional progress into concrete action for animals.
The combination of sterilisation, temporary foster care, support for host families and public recognition of animal-friendly citizens and businesses offers a structured and humane model for tackling stray animal population.
It is a model that could be replicated by other municipal administrations across Italy, strengthening collaboration with animal protection organisations and replacing emergency responses with prevention, planning and shared responsibility.
“The launch of this project is a great source of satisfaction and the result of years of commitment and teamwork between animal welfare organisations and institutions. We hope that many residents will open their homes to a dog or cat without a family while they wait to be adopted. If our citizens understand that eliminating stray animal populations can also foster new forms of economic development, I believe that pursuing this path will benefit everyone. We are confident.”
Vito Francioso, OIPA Brindisi Delegate
Anyone wishing to offer temporary foster care, join the “Friends of Animals” network or receive further information can send a private message to the Facebook page OIPA Brindisi Volontari – San Michele Salentino.
