Ambassador Anita is bringing the ‘Legacy for Pets’ message to the animal-loving public
Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), knows only too well that future planning is essential. “Not only for ourselves but also for our pets.”
A recent tragedy amongst APAA’s friends, Lynn and Barry, who both worked at the Silves charity shop, is an example. Barry sadly died after a heart attack. Lynn has to return to the UK for health and family reasons. “They have a lovely six-year-old tabby cat, ‘Bella’, that desperately needs re-homing; good-tempered, vaccinated, excellent with other animals,” said Jenny.
Jenny’s experience of members who have suddenly died or become ill, leaving a precious animal to be re-homed, is manifold.
Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA), APAA’s good friends outside of Loulé, have a wonderful purpose-built shelter: “Cabanita”, the brainchild of Sid Richardson, run by a young enthusiastic team headed by general manager João Ferreira. “Youth, ah yes!” Jenny grins.
“We have to pave the way for the younger generation to come forward and take responsibility for all sorts of things. We, at ARA, are doing just that,” Sid agrees, his impressive team made up of volunteers and paid staff. “We encourage the volunteers to return, after their ‘gap’ year, to continue their work and training here at ARA.”
Equally excellent accommodation and training for the humans and animals. “We do pride ourselves on the quality here. Including the walking, training and interaction that are fundamentally necessary for the future wellbeing of all the animals. Not forgetting their food and veterinary care.”
‘Legacy for Pets’, their new collective ‘baby’, is taking off with their ‘go-for-it’ Ambassador Anita who is bringing the ‘Legacy’ message to the animal-loving public. “We love ‘em to death! Our pets. But what happens if we die? Or get sick? Who’s going to look after them then?”
Most of the abandoned animals are taken off the streets because they did have a loving home once. “Well-intentioned people will offer to feed, walk and look after your pets. But something in the vital chain goes horribly wrong.” Legacy is a way of dealing with that problem ahead of time. We can all rest assured our pets are well looked after. Sid, João, Jenny and Anita have several of their own animals.
Watch their video beautifully crafted by animal rights campaigner, Algarve’s author and photographer Carlos Filipe, and make up your own mind.
Upcoming events
- Every second Sunday of the month: Ferragudo car-boot sales, 8am-12 noon.
- Monday, June 16: Final Pop-Up before autumn, at O Tasco restaurant, Senhora do Verde (near Portimão), 12 noon-3pm. Chicken piri-piri day!
- Charity shops at Alvor and Silves. Pop-in and buy. Clothing, bedding, books, jewellery, gifts, and much more. Take in your unwanted presents, household items, especially man-cave stuff. Volunteers always welcome!
- Please take note: Jackie’s cookies and Jenny’s jams, pickles and marmalades available at ‘Pop-Up’ events and charity shops, but not car-boot sales.
Bella/APAA: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Legacy email: legacy@animalrescuealgarve.com
Carlos Filipe: www.carlosfilipe.pt
By APAA
