The CaoDominio Conservation Center Headquarters
About CaoDominio
CaoDominio is a non-profit organization at the frontlines of animal rescue and nature conservation in the historic state of Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil. The organization was founded in 2020 in response to increasing cases of animal trafficking and abuse in the region with the mission of “rescuing, rehabilitating, and protecting animals while fostering a future generation of environmental stewards.”
With Minas Gerais being one of Brazil’s most biodiverse states, CaoDominio provides the essential service of rehabilitating trafficked exotic species, such as birds, reptiles, and primates. The organization also rescues abandoned domesticated animals and hosts adoption fairs bi-weekly, matching an average of 20 rehabilitated pets with loving families each month. CaoDominio takes its goal of protecting unhoused animals a step further by implementing a network of mobile pet houses throughout the city of Mariana. These small structures are maintained daily by the group’s volunteers and supply food, water, and shelter for domesticated animals living on the street.
Aside from its conservation and adoption efforts, CaoDominio works hand-in-hand with the city council of Mariana’s Animal Protection and Defense Commission to host educational workshops in local schools and neighborhoods. By spreading awareness and inspiring leadership and activism, CaoDominio unites its community through the shared objective of ecological preservation.
Since becoming the first registered non-profit in Mariana, CaoDominio has rescued and rehabilitated 500+ animals across a 40-mile radius. Because they lack a brick-and-mortar facility, the organization relies heavily on an alliance of local veterinarians to provide medical care for animals in need and its 45 volunteers to shelter domesticated pets at their private residences.
Project Site
Our Contribution
modest studio is partnering with CaoDominio to design and build the organization’s first official headquarter facility. The new campus will be nestled in the foothills surrounding Mariana’s bustling town center and will feature a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, and multipurpose event hall for community-focused educational and adoption events. The grounds will also be host to horse stables, an aviary, an apiary, and an adaptable outdoor space to meet the unique requirements of the local community.
modest blog: Learn More about how we are planning to deliver a sustainable project that aligns with the cultural and material heritage of Mariana.
Rather than simply addressing the organization’s current needs, we’re doing the most to encourage CaoDominio’s success and longevity by incorporating revenue-generating facilities into the headquarters; namely, a pet hotel and full-service kitchen for the production of homemade pet food. Through these avenues, we envision that the group will internally generate the resources required to expand its reach and continue to impact positive change in (and beyond) Mariana for generations to come.
