APAA’s president Jenny Clarke has an impish look. “True – it’s not what but who you know.” The Association for Protection of Animals Algarve has a long list of friends. “Special friends are always there when you need them.”
ARA, Animal Rescue Algarve, has, amongst others, come to APAA’s rescue. “Sometimes abandonees are difficult to re-home. ARA is persistent and thorough. When they came up with ‘Legacy’ or a ‘Home for Life’, we jumped at the idea of prolonging our pets’ lives after we have gone.”
Very often after a death in the family, the pet winds up on the streets. Or forgotten in a backyard. Or left to scrape a life out in the wild.
ARA is a beautiful, purpose-built, state-of-the-art animal shelter situated in Cabanita, outside of Loulé, set in picturesque surroundings with every amenity required for a healthy life after the owner has passed on. Simple but effective.
A form is filled in naming the pet(s) in the household and a nominated ‘guardian’. When the owner dies or becomes incapacitated, the guardian is given the control to go ahead with the ‘Legacy’ project by contacting ARA, who then take over. “It just means that the owner has to think ahead. Outside of the box.”
Sid Richardson’s pet shelter and work in the ‘animal world’ is legendary.
Thinking animal? First contact ARA for a form, follow up by arranging a visit. See the wonderful opportunity you are giving your surviving pet(s). There are no associated costs. Obviously, shelters need income to continue their work. Perhaps an inclusion in their will or a donation? It is all on a one-to-one basis. If need be, details can be updated with changes/additions of pet(s) to the family, etc. Don’t wait, it may be too late!
João Ferreira, general manager and his dedicated volunteers and full-time staff at ARA, will welcome you gladly.
Date for your diary
- The Garden in Portimão is hosting APAA’s Pop-Up on Friday, June 28, 12pm-3pm. A café known for its special gourmet-style approach to vegan and vegetarian snacks, pastries. Go for it! Goodies, jewellery, sunshine gifts.
Charity shops at Alvor and Silves are always full to bursting with bargains and goodies throughout the year. Check out Alvor’s new boutique-style make-over. Summer clothes galore. All funds raised are for SNiP (Spaying & Neutering Programme), for feral cat colonies and abandoned dogs.
If you want to help, with money-raising charitable ideas for events near you, don’t just think about it. Please, pick up your phone, drop APAA an email. “We love to have new faces to join Team APAA. Every second you give counts.”
APAA (Jenny): info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Cat colonies: zelia.santos@live.co.uk
ARA ‘Legacy For Pets’ (Élia): legacy@animalrescuealgarve.com
ARA website : https://animalrescuealgarve.com
