A leading Algarve animal charity claims it has gone more than a year without receiving a promised €25,000 annual grant from its municipal council.
The alarm has been sounded by the Carvoeiro Cat Charity, which warns that municipal funding is vital to its survival, and without it, hundreds of cats would lose their lifeline.
The municipal council of Lagoa alleges, however, that no agreement was signed for 2025 – and therefore no payment is legally due.
This is not the charity’s understanding. In a statement sent to The Resident, it points to Protocol 21/SAS/2024, signed by the charity and the council, which it believes entitles it to the grant.
To prove its meritable work, the CCCA (standing for Carvoeiro Cat Charity Associação) has listed many of its achievements between 2024 and 2025. Figures released by the charity show it completed 167 sterilisations – 120% above its 75-cat commitment – and secured 34 adoptions, exceeding its 24-cat target by 25%. The shelter is currently housing 240 cats, 20% above its agreed 200-cat capacity, while 31 feral cats have been trapped, neutered and returned to managed colonies. Its blood bank programme has helped save more than 400 cats nationwide, and in 2025 alone the charity took in 97 high-risk cats transferred from the municipal kennel.
The organisation operates from its 10,000sqm Quinta dos Gatos facility in Porches, where it runs its Trap-Neuter-Return programmes, a national feline blood bank in partnership with Banco de Sangue Animal, a 24/7 emergency rescue service and specialist care for FIV+ and FeLV cats. It also trains international veterinary students and runs school education programmes.
Founder and president Corina Janiec says the situation is frustrating.
“We’ve followed every proper channel – made countless phone calls, sent emails, travelled to municipal offices for scheduled meetings. We want to believe this is administrative oversight, not intentional neglect. But while paperwork sits in filing cabinets, animals are suffering.
“We’re not looking for sympathy – we’re looking for partnership,” Corina adds. “We’re asking the municipality to honour the promise they made. And we’re asking our community to help us bridge this gap.”
CCCA – which in 2024 was named runner-up in the Contribution to Charitable Causes category at the Algarve Business Awards – says it is run entirely by volunteers and spends around €338 per cat per year – far below the €800 to €1,200 it says is typical for municipal animal control.
Its annual budget relies on local and international donations, food and equipment contributions, sponsorships, fundraising events and membership fees, as well as municipal support.
The charity warns that if it were forced to close, Lagoa would have to manage more than 250 sheltered cats, dozens of annual high-risk transfers and multiple feral colonies. It also points out that the cats it shelters come from the municipality and are, therefore, the responsibility of the local council.
Council denies obligation to pay
Despite recognising animal welfare as “one of its priorities”, Lagoa municipal council insists no support protocol was signed for 2025.
“For this reason, it considers that, legally, it has no amount in debt with the association,” the council said in response to The Resident, adding that support for animal associations has increased since 2020 through cooperation agreements, land purchases and municipal services.
The council explained that 2025 was an election year, which brought “administrative and operational limitations.” As a result, some cooperation agreements were not concluded.
It also stated that since 2021 it has granted €82,000 to the charity.
The local authority is promising, however, a new protocol for 2026 which it says will include double the amount awarded in 2024.
How to help:
Those wishing to support Carvoeiro Cat Charity can do so through financial donations by bank transfer (IBAN PT50 0036 0256 9910 0062 04965, Swift/BIC MPIOPTPL) or via PayPal at ccca@protonmail.com
Monthly sponsorship starts at €10. The shelter also urgently needs in-kind donations, including cat food and litter – around 60 bags per week – as well as bedding, blankets, towels, building materials and equipment. Volunteers are welcome to assist with shelter care, transport, events and communications, and the charity’s Workaway programme offers two- to three-week stays with accommodation provided.
Cats of all ages, including FIV+ cats suited to experienced adopters, are also available for adoption.
For more information, call +351 918 552 788, email ccc.carvoeirocatcharity@gmail.com or visit carvoeirocatcharity.com
