Algarve photographer Carlos Filipe launches a book recounting the stories of abandoned pets to help raise funds for Animalife charity.

Algarve-based photographer Carlos Filipe has launched “Diários dos Que Ninguém Quer” (Diaries of Those Nobody Wants) to help raise funds for abandoned animals. The compilation of stories is the photographer’s third book and is part of a project created to help feed rescued animals across the country.

“Can a book feed abandoned animals in Portugal?” asks Carlos Filipe. “It’s with this objective that I created this solidarity project.” In his book, the devoted photographer shares stories about animals no one wants. “There are violent stories, broken hearts and the worst of human beings against the best we have in the world. I wrote a book about all of them, and I want to feed animals all over the country with them”, he explains.

“How many times does your heart break when you hear stories about animals that had the misfortune of being born in the wrong place or ending up in the hands of people who didn’t deserve them? They all have a story. They all have a voice. They just need someone to listen to them. These are their stories”, says Carlos Filipe, adding, “I compiled all of these stories in a book to educate young people, raise awareness among those who may not have noticed what is happening around them, and assist communities in implementing measures to rectify past errors”.

In 2019, Carlos Filipe opened a photography studio in Lagoa, where he receives abandoned animals from all over the country and photographs them to help with their adoption. His journey to help abandoned animals started when he adopted a dog, Boris, who changed his life. Since then, he has raised thousands of euros for shelters and photographed thousands of abandoned pets to help them find a new home.

In addition to the recent publication of his book, the photographer continues to work in his studio and photographs animals at kennels and associations. He is also promoting two travelling photo exhibitions nationwide to encourage visitors to support animal organisations and visits schools where he talks about his work and the importance of volunteering.

Each book purchase will help provide food and hope to numerous animals, as the royalties will support Animalife in assisting animals and their families.

“Diários dos Que Ninguém Quer”, published by Chiado Books, is on sale in print (€14) and as an e-book (€5) throughout the country and is also available here.