This Brazilian Priest Takes Stray Dogs Off the Streets To Get Them Adopted By His Congregation

A compassionate Brazilian priest helps homeless dogs get adopted by having them join his church’s service every Sunday.

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 1 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

Everybody’s welcome at the house of God – shouldn’t that be true for animals, too? A priest in Brazil thinks so.

Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes typically celebrates the Sunday mass with some special guests – the forgotten stray dogs of Gravatá. Previously, the dogs are taken of the streets by Father Gomes, after which they are fed and bathed. And even if they are not taken, they can still count on father Gomes.

“They will always be able to enter, sleep, eat, drink their water and find shelter and protection, for this house is of God and they are of God,” he said.

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 2 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

Dozens and dozens of stray dogs have been adopted thanks to Father Gomes.

His Facebook page features numerous posts about both dog and cat adoption, as well as photos of dogs sleeping on the “icy floor in the middle of the heat in Caruaru” during prayer services.

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 3 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 5 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 6 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

church priest brazil stray dogs adopt 7 — Image credit: João Paulo Araujo Gomes

Undoubtedly, Father Gomes has a strong affinity with these dogs, and so it’s not surprising that he has adopted some of them himself.

“I helped several dogs with serious health problems,” he said. “Some of them I brought to the parish house and they were later adopted. Three of them stayed with me. Today, they are my children and sleep in my bed.”