A theory that cats have inbuilt radar put to the test. Indeed. A very lucky rescue cat was found severely injured. Immediately whisked off to a vet, who did the quick ‘once-over-check’ and recommended an orthopaedic surgeon to fix two broken back legs. Taking time and money, Zélia Santos, of APAA’s Cat Woman fame, had done the rescuing and after-care. “The poor animal finally settled in and recovered.”
Jenny Clarke, president of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve, taps a cat-catching cage. “There was no warning. One morning Zélia realised the cat had gone.” Disappeared? “No sign of agitation or moving on signals.” Cats do wander off, sometimes joining up with a cat colony, others innocently re-adopted by an unsuspecting neighbour. But this puss had other ideas. It wanted to be reunited with its original owner.
“It apparently had travelled across country for a length of almost 12 months! Turning up at its original home. Calls had gone out and searches made. How mysterious. The owner was, of course, overjoyed.” Cat had taken off, for some reason got into an accident, recovered, decided to leg it back home. Weird or what?
‘Callum’, a boisterous youngster, had been dumped and found his way to a country residence and given shelter. A few weeks later, visiting friends announced they had fallen in love with him. He found his forever home with a younger family. “Maybe there is something in the colour black, being lucky!”
Jenny smiles as she takes off in her white van to deliver some more cats to the vets for APAA’s Spaying and Neutering Programme. SNiP is works, but it costs!
- A success last year, APAA’s stall is reappearing at Convento’bio in Lagoa on Friday, April 5, from 11am to 4pm. Small businesses and crafts fair. Their famous restaurant open for all tastes.
- APAA’s revival of the favourite ‘Quiz Lunch’ and Raffle at the ever-popular VIMAR Grill in Carvoeiro, on April 23, from 12.30pm for 1pm. Choice: tasty roast pork or grilled ‘dourada’. Couverts, veg soup, desserts, drinks etc. €22 for members; 24€ for non-members. Ask about vegetarian option. Book with Jenny by calling 919 041 903 or email apaaportugal@gmail.com
- Can’t make it to a ‘Pop-Up’ or event? Visit Charity Shops in Alvor and Silves. Always bursting with goodies, ornaments, duvets, rugs, larger household items. Friendly staff always on site to chat and help, not forgetting Jenny’s jams, preserves, marmalades and Jackie’s cookies too! If you want any information on what’s in stock or looking for something specific, email Jenny.
All funds raised by APAA help to look after and feed cat colonies and abandoned, often injured, animals. If you think you can help, contact Jenny. “We’re always looking for fresh, young blood.” See Contacts below.
General Jenny: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Cat Colonies: zelia.santos@live.co.uk
By APAA
