afpop’s 2025 BLiP Expo, held recently in Portimão, certainly provided a space for people to meet and greet. Jenny Clarke, president of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), hit their stand early Saturday. “It gave us all a chance to meet and greet.”
Fellow charities of the human and animal kind, Cadela Carlota (CC), Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA) and Emporium, helped out with masking tape, and discussing each other’s cause or paws.
Brigitte from CC greeted Jenny with the sad news that they had to shut their doors for some 2/3 weeks. Highly-contagious Parvovirus is on the increase with devastating results. Several dogs have become ill and a couple tragically died. “We just cannot tell people enough that vaccination, as soon as the dog is able, is the only way to fight disease.”
ARA’s João and Paul join the discussion about how abandoned street animals suffer terrible diseases and ill-treatment, alone fending for themselves. “They are often in an already vulnerable state.”
Everyone agrees wholeheartedly – the money that pays for these poor distressed animals is badly needed. “Some vets do give us special rates, and we know that some don’t! We can only rely on who is available at the time they are needed most.”
Joy of the Soup Kitchen (Portimão) and her co-workers are also worried. “Our people who come for food also seek nourishment for their street animals. A spare bone, or container of soup. They can’t afford to look after themselves let alone their pets.”
APAA’s motto ‘Here to Help’ is certainly needed, along with ‘Hope’, that special emotion which drives them all, whether animal or human, wherever they are, in sickness or in health.
Carlos Filipe, author, photographer, abandoned animal campaigner and friend to many animal associations, is working tirelessly with educating and promoting public awareness. “Children and adults have to learn how to care; for some, it isn’t easy. Education is opening doors to the mind. Not closing them.”
Dates for your diary:
- November 5 – APAA Charity Guy Fawkes Day Lunch, organised by Do and Margaret, at Phoenix Restaurant, Alvor. Super English menu, €25. To book, contact Margaret: fons_casita@yahoo.com
- November 7 – Convento’bio Lagoa, 11am-4pm. Time to buy Christmas presents.
- 2nd Sunday November, December & January – Car Boot Sales, Ferragudo
- November 16/17 – APAA Charity Variety Show at Auditório do Museu de Portimão. Tickets €15.
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 real bargains. Some of the top designer labels available at reasonable prices. Also, the homemade chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Yum! Everything you need for your home or rental.
Contacts:
- Jackie’s lunches: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
- Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (mark for Anita-Legacy) | Pet Legacy video
- Check out Facebook
- APAA Charity Variety Performance Tickets online: www.bol.pt (QR code) – info: show.apaaportugal@gmail.com
- Carlos Filipe: www.cfilipe.pt info@cfilipe.pt
