Sonrisa is pictured at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques, Venezuela, on August 16, 2016. "Sonrisa (smile), was given that name, because when someone approached her, she was frightened as if she were being beaten, but showing her teeth as if were smiling," said Maria Silva who takes care of dogs at the shelter. Sonrisa died the following week after the photo was taken. #

From left, Maria Silva, Milena Cortes, Maria Arteaga, Jackeline Bastidas and Gissy Abello pose for a picture at the Famproa dog shelter where they work, in Los Teques, Venezuela, on August 25, 2016. #

A dog named La China. "The loving but fearful dog did not like to leave the space where she slept, even to eat," said Maria Silva who takes care of dogs at the shelter. La China died the week after the photo was taken. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 16, 2016. #

Tomy. "He arrived at the shelter on a Sunday two months ago. A man on a motorcycle left him saying that he had found him in the middle of the street and did not want to leave him there, but strangely, the man knew his name," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Katty Quintas, part owner of the Funasissi animal shelter, comes across an abandoned dog rummaging in the trash in the working-class Caracas neighborhood of El Junquito, Venezuela, on July 23, 2016. #

Cachorron (Big puppy) was given his name because he never matured and behaves as if he were still a puppy. "He does not like to leave the area where he sleeps. Even if the door was left open, he would not go out in the street. On one occasion a family wanted to adopt him, but it was impossible to make him walk out of the shelter," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Paton (big foot), has been given that name because his legs are very long making him a little clumsy when he walks. "Everyone who comes to the shelter, falls in love with him because he is extremely loving, always happy and wants to play. He always wants to be near people," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Dexis Casadiego, a veterinarian and part owner of the Funasissi animal shelter, examines an abandoned cat at the private shelter in the Caracas neighborhood of El Junquito on July 23, 2016. #

Enfermera (Nurse) was given that name because she was rescued by a nurse outside of a hospital. "She suffered a stroke and although she never recovered completely, she is a very good guard dog. She lives outside of the shelter and when someone approaches, she starts barking," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Bolibomba. "She arrived at the shelter two years ago and is very playful. She loves water. Whenever she can, she gets inside a bucket or bowl with water. If she lived in a house with a pool, she would never come out of it," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 16, 2016. #

Katty Quintas, part owner of the Funasissi animal shelter, plays with her pet dog Sissis at the private shelter in El Junquito on July 21, 2016. A popular food substitute for dogs, that would never have been considered in better times, is chickenfeed. 'We have to give it to them because there's nothing else,' said Quintas. #

Ojitos (eyes) has been given that name because she has blue eyes. "She arrived at the shelter two years ago and from the very first moment has always been very loving. She never fights with the others. She has been offered up for adoption on many occasions, but no one wanted to keep her," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 16, 2016. #

Pastora (shepherd) was given that name because she looks like a German shepherd. "She is very calm and never fights with anyone, but she is afraid of people. When someone approaches her, she immediately reacts as if they were going to beat her," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Brisa was given her name because she was found in an area called Brisa de Oriente. "She was one of the most spoiled in the shelter, but barks at everything all the time," said Maria Silva who takes care of dogs at the shelter. Two days after being photographed, Brisa was adopted by a family. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 18, 2016. #

Cucurucha has never been given up for adoption because she is very nervous. When someone approaches, she begins to whine and react immediately. She never fights with anyone, but she likes stealing food from the other dogs," said Maria Silva. Photographed at the Famproa dog shelter in Los Teques on August 16, 2016. #

Dexis Casadiego, a veterinarian and part owner of the Funasissi animal shelter, caresses an abandoned dog at the private shelter in the Caracas neighborhood of El Junquito, Venezuela, on July 23, 2016. #