Is it possible? Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), her ‘Pop-Up’ shop colleague Anita Wight, more recently named ambassador for ARA’s ‘Legacy/Pet Plan’, and Animal Rescue Algarve’s CIC Sid Richardson all had the same thought.
What happened to make it actually ‘happen’ is now history. A huge epiphenomenon. “It was meant to be! A meeting of like-minded animal lovers!”
Sid remembers the chilly March weather when they did the final sign-up: “We could not believe how the pieces fell into place.”
Jenny smiles: “Anita and I had been worrying about our animals; Anita’s then seven and my four, or was it five? What would happen to them if something awful happened to us? For a start, our ages mean that it could be an illness which leaves us poorly or incapacitated; at the worst end of the scale, death.”
Their visit to ARA’s shelter ‘Cabanita’, on the outskirts of Loulé, stopped them literally dead in their tracks. “Stupendous. Out of this world!” The two girls even joked about booking in, G&T at sunset. Indeed, the parks, dog-leisure areas, and kennels were purpose-built. Both money and effort had gone into this project.
“Hard fought for and won!” recalls Sid. Especially his dream ‘Legacy’ or ‘Pet Plan’. Discussing animal welfare over a working lunch, the four – Sid, his general manager and ‘main-man’ João Ferreira, together with Jenny and Anita – openly talked of their personal pets and their commitment to them.
ARA is a good size and certainly offers VIP accommodation, but the care is top-notch. ARA’s team is hard-working, animal-caring and totally dedicated. “We spend money and time on the abandoned animals.” Sid sadly nods, “Some of them have come for no other reason than their owners have died or were too ill to care for them.” But even ARA’s loving care needs financing. “If you think enough of your pets now, then you should think of them when you are gone, and they are left behind.”
Jenny was happy to have signed up: “It has put my mind at rest. I hope others will want to do the same!” The links below will help you to decide. An easy to follow ‘Pet Plan’ guide and, if not sure, check out their website and the video.
Visit APAA charity shops
- Alvor: Dunas de Alvor: Mon-Sat, 10.30am-2pm
- Silves: Rua Elias Garcia 20, Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm (Sat 1pm)
Real bargains. Books, gifts, handmade jewellery, ornaments. Home-made chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Glassware, dinner services, cutlery. Everything you need for your home or rental. Spoil yourself! All proceeds raised for SNiP and abandoned animals. Bring unwanted presents. Browse and buy!
- Contacts and Jackie’s lunches: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
- Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (mark for Anita-Legacy)
- Legacy video
- Legacy/Pet Plan
- Always check out APAA’s Facebook
