Easy answer. “Well, almost,” says Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection of Animals Algarve. However, “chipping a pet will identify the owner’s name legally.”
A couple, for instance, will have a loving, caring relationship with each other and their family. For some, ‘family’ means pets. “For whatever reason, they do become surrogate children.” Unfortunately,” as Jenny points out, “this can be to the detriment of our furry canine or feline friends.” How so?
Zélia Santos, APAA’s helpline lady, received a real cry for help. “Couple were splitting up. Partner decided to have their pets euthanized.” Woah! Zélia asked who the dogs belonged to. Fortunately, they were microchipped in the lady’s name. So, she is the legal owner.
Happy families are sometimes tragically broken when a split, illness or even death occurs. The animals seem to be the ones that suffer. Children, of the human kind, are not always easily let off either. Once loved and then shunned. A mortal characteristic. In a nutshell, chip your pet responsibly. It may be a life-saver. Better still try and be accommodating and compromise. Animals can’t talk.
Jenny is not always in an animal ‘pickle’. Some of her tastier recipes are found in an assortment of pots and jars with frilly colourful hats. “A few newcomers are on the list!” she grins. “Some spicy, but fabulous, with a cheeseboard and cold meats garnished with fresh salad or fruit.” Friends suddenly appearing at whatever time of the year are always a challenge. Not if you have a wonderful array of jams, chutneys, pickles and marmalades to accompany crackers, bread or biscuits. They make superb, thoughtful gifts whether sunny or cool. Orders are always welcome.
Amongst the chutney chill outs are chilli apple, spicy pear and sultana (yum), beetroot and orange, Old English apple; Marmalades? Seville or sweet orange, lemon (all with ginger) … Jammies? Apple and mandarin, peach, plum and mulled wine, apple. Oh yes, not forgetting lemon curd. Jackie’s cookies, too, chocolate and walnut, pure butter cookies, and chocolate chip style. Anyone for tea? Order now, be fashionable with a home-made selection of tasty provender!
Talking of which, APAA’s final Pop-Up, on Friday, June 28, from 12 noon-3pm, at ‘The Garden’ in Portimão, known for its tasty vegan and vegetarian snacks, pastries. ‘Pop-Up’ goodies; jewellery, sunshine gifts.
Charity shops at Alvor and Silves are always bursting with bargains throughout the year. Check out Alvor’s welcoming make-over. Summer clothes galore. All funds raised are for SNiP (Spaying & Neutering Programme), for feral cat colonies and abandoned dogs. Ideas for raising money near you? Drop APAA an email. Join Team APAA. We need you!
APAA Jenny: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (also for list of goodies and prices).
Cat colonies: zelia.santos@live.co.uk
