“September and the start of the other silly season.” Jenny has just returned from a passionate past time; trying to capture an abandoned dog. “Perhaps he’s never had a home.” As president of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), her responsibilities are far and wide. “We tried everything. The deadline being the end of the month when the house owners shut up and return to their apartment in France. Because of their set up, they cannot take ‘Amigo’. He’s a loner, shy but looks as if he needs a friend and a real home of his own.” The right one.
Jenny arranged an on-site visit with Gail Skinner, the Algarve’s canine behaviourist and trainer, to help APAA out. “Custer’s last stand! Amigo has lost trust somewhere. He takes food from the hand but as soon as a touch looms, he is off.”
Gail’s plan A, the house owners will take out their van from the garage, leaving it empty, and start feeding Amigo, only in the garage. Taking the food further in and the door closing a little bit at a time. “We have a week! If by that time Amigo has not been trapped, then we have to go to plan B, which is to get a neighbour to feed him until the house owners return in November. Then we start again!”
Fingers are crossed that Amigo can be caught and transferred to a ‘safe house’ for assessment, before being fostered and then re-homed. “We just hope that poor Amigo can last this out. Dogs in this situation sometimes will take off when their part-time adoptees take off.”
In the meantime, a female Great Dane-type has been found abandoned near Algoz/Messines. Jenny nods. “Another large dog. Unfortunately, the pup has grown and can no longer be looked after. So dumped!” APAA’s motto … ’Here to Help’. Say no more.
APAA diary
- First ‘Pop-Up’ Shop of the season, Monday, September 15 at O Tasco in Senhora do Verde (near Portimão), 12pm-3pm.
- Craft Fair at Convent’Bio in Lagoa, Friday, September 26, 11am-4pm. Especially interesting food at the restaurant.
- Jolly Bar, Alvor, Friday, October 17, 11am-2pm. Lots of goodies and homemade jams, pickles and cookies.
- World Animal Day, October 4.
- Afpop’s BLiP, October 11/12, at Portimão Arena.
- APAA Charity Variety show, November 16/17, inPortimão.
Visit APAA Charity shops
- Alvor: Dunas de Alvor: Mon-Sat, 10.30am-2pm
- Silves: Rua Elias Garcia 20, Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm (Sat 1pm)
The change of season means a change of wardrobe. Look out for the real bargains. Some of the top designer labels available at such reasonable prices. Also, the home-made chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Yum!
Contacts:
Jackie lunches/Murder Mystery: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Checkout Facebook | Legacy ‘Pet Plan’ video | Gail Skinner
By APAA
