The Carvoeiro Cat Charity Associação (CCCA), with a sanctuary based in Porches, Lagoa, has had a bumper year for adoptions so far.
In a statement, the charity says the results are in great part due to the efforts of its “Adoption Guru”, Sam Hough.
From 2024 to 2025, the number of rehomed cats increased from 25 to 34, surpassing the charity’s 24-cat target.
2026 is also off to a great start “due to the efforts of getting the CCCA name out there,” with 19 cats rehomed up to March 14.
“This is a great result but there are still over 200 cats in the shelter, many needing a loving home,” CCCA says.
Not every cat is immediately available for adoption. Some suffer from conditions such as AIDS, feline leukemia, or calicivirus, all of which require “special care and increased maintenance costs”, while others are still partly feral.
But over 100 are available for adoption – including white cats or cats with white ears or pink noses that can only be adopted as indoor cats due to their colouring and high UV levels and heat from the strong Algarvian sun, which makes them “susceptible to skin cancer”.
All the cats under CCCA’s care are vaccinated, sterilised and microchipped, and are socialised with humans from daily contact with volunteers.
For those who cannot adopt but want to help, CCCA also has a sponsorship programme, costing €20 per month, which helps with the annual cost of feeding a cat, its annual vaccinations and any veterinary visits, plus the cost of litter.
If you would like to adopt or sponsor a cat, volunteer at the shelter or make a donation towards their monthly running costs, please contact CCCA at ccc.carvoeirocatcharity@gmail.com or +351 918 552 778.
