Founded in February 2015, the Luisa Mell Institute (ILM in Portuguese) acts, mainly, in rescuing wounded and at-risk animals, predominantly in homeless or dangerous situations. We maintain a shelter with approximately 300 dogs and cats, most of whom are rescued from the streets. The shelter provides a warm bed, food, and medical care with the objective of ensuring adoptions of the rescued animals to responsible owners. Our work, however, is not restricted solely to rescues and adoptions. We have several other areas of dedication: Defending animal rights Environmental protection To foster dogs, cats or any other animal in jeopardy in urban cities by nursing them back to health and facilitating their adoption to a responsible owner or reintegration into the animal's natural habitat. To teach children and adults about the importance of caring for the environment, as well as respect for animals and nature To supervise public institutions' enforcement of animal protection laws To report and denounce animal mistreatment or any other animal abuse in accordance with the Brazilian law 9.605/1998, article 32