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9
One Man Who Changed Countless Lives Of Stray Animals Over 25 Years
Interview
I believe many people dream of becoming heroes, but only a few actually make it a reality. While it may not be in the form of a Marvel superhero, we need people like Marcio Lacerda even more.
Marcio has dedicated 25 years of his life to feeding stray animals and supporting impoverished families. This man is also known in Brazil as Protector Marcio, who embodies compassion and resilience. Due to meeting a lot of sick and injured animals on his routes, Marcio decided to study veterinary medicine at Ulbra, one of Brazil’s premier institutions.
This man is the ultimate example of the profound difference one individual can make in the world while inspiring others to take action.
More info: Instagram | vakinha.com.br
RELATED:
Meet Marcio, a hero from Brazil who has been rescuing and feeding stray animals for 25 years
Image credits: protetormarciors
Marcio’s journey with animals began as a way to heal from deep depression. He started volunteering at a shelter, not realizing it would change his life forever
Image credits: protetormarciors
In an interview with Bored Panda, Marcio told us more about his hardships before joining a shelter.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was going through a deep depression. I had attempted to take my own life twice. I have always loved animals, and knowing this, a friend took me to do volunteer work at a shelter.”
Image credits: protetormarciors
“It was there that I managed to recover from depression and feel useful to society. Since then, I have dedicated my life to saving the animals that saved my life”
Image credits: protetormarciors
Determined to make an even greater impact, Marcio is now studying veterinary medicine at Ulbra University to improve his ability to help animals and vulnerable communities
Image credits: protetormarciors
Marcio shared more about his studies.
“The academic experience has given me a new perspective on the animal cause. I believe that, with my life experience combined with veterinary medicine, I will be able to encourage and inspire other professionals to engage more in animal welfare.”
If you feel like you want to help Marcio to cover his studying costs, that can be done by following this link.
Image credits: protetormarciors
But his compassion doesn’t stop with animals—he also supports impoverished families
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
“The animals we assist are usually in poor regions. You cannot bring a bowl of food for the animals and ignore the children who are also hungry” shared Marcio
Image credits: protetormarciors
“One cause does not cancel out the other. We can help animals while also extending a hand to our fellow human beings.”
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
Great deeds, however, come at a great cost. Providing medical care and food requires significant resources
Image credits: protetormarciors
Marcio expanded on the financial burdens: “The costs are indeed very high. Due to high taxes in Brazil, food and medical supplies become very expensive.”
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
“Without the help of the community through donations, it would be impossible to assist so many animals”
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
Despite the challenges, Marcio is not one to give up as he continues to spread a message of compassion and action to support both animals and people in need
Image credits: protetormarciors
“Saint Francis of Assisi left an important message: “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” We can all do something to help others, whether it’s an animal or a human being. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: “What I do is a drop in the ocean. But without it, the ocean would be smaller.” We can all contribute in small ways, and drop by drop, together, we can change the world,” lastly added Marcio.
Image credits: protetormarciors
Image credits: protetormarciors
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Nice Beast Ludo 10 months ago
What a sweet and sad and beautiful story on humans and animals. These are the stories I love to read. The dog that is eating out of the other dog's bowl... there's always one. Poor things. I know he always brings enough for all of them to eat but I wonder if they ever trust that they will all get to eat or if they see 2 bowls and wonder if they won't get any. This guy is amazing and more of us need to do more. I put cat food out because there are two strays and I feed the birds, especially in the winter and when it snows. I don't have a lot of money but it makes me feel good and I know I am making a difference even just to one or two animals and to them, that's all that matters in the world. My aunt takes stray cats to well pet clinic and gets them spayed and has like 45 cats in her yard that she feeds. I really admire her
Princess Bride 10 months ago
Poorer countries have very low rates of spay/neuter of animals because of the cost. Veterinarians should do a certain number of these operations yearly; or, go to a poor city/village and give free spays and neuters. Way too many animals, so much pain and disease, etc.
Surly Scot 10 months ago
The vets need funding for that though, they can't afford to do it out of pocket. Governments aren't allotting enough funding for programs like TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) or low-income coverage for vet bills. It's tragic because so many vets are working so hard to help wherever they can, they're our heroes, yet their industry has one of the highest rates of suicide.
Load More Replies... Nice Beast Ludo 10 months ago
What a sweet and sad and beautiful story on humans and animals. These are the stories I love to read. The dog that is eating out of the other dog's bowl... there's always one. Poor things. I know he always brings enough for all of them to eat but I wonder if they ever trust that they will all get to eat or if they see 2 bowls and wonder if they won't get any. This guy is amazing and more of us need to do more. I put cat food out because there are two strays and I feed the birds, especially in the winter and when it snows. I don't have a lot of money but it makes me feel good and I know I am making a difference even just to one or two animals and to them, that's all that matters in the world. My aunt takes stray cats to well pet clinic and gets them spayed and has like 45 cats in her yard that she feeds. I really admire her
Princess Bride 10 months ago
Poorer countries have very low rates of spay/neuter of animals because of the cost. Veterinarians should do a certain number of these operations yearly; or, go to a poor city/village and give free spays and neuters. Way too many animals, so much pain and disease, etc.
Surly Scot 10 months ago
The vets need funding for that though, they can't afford to do it out of pocket. Governments aren't allotting enough funding for programs like TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) or low-income coverage for vet bills. It's tragic because so many vets are working so hard to help wherever they can, they're our heroes, yet their industry has one of the highest rates of suicide.
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