Sign up your furry friends with ‘Legacy for Pets’!
Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), and Anita Wight, ‘Pop-Up’ shop manager, have – by signing-up their furry friends with ‘Legacy for Pets’. This was a problem pondered long-term by both ladies and Sid Richardson, Animal Rescue Algarve’s (ARA) founder.
Sid’s idea was based on the fact that many animals are abandoned because their owners have died or had a protracted illness. Neither of which allows for pets.
“Aunt Millie’s poodle may have been the life-line Millie needed whilst in her lap and being fed and loved,” Jenny explains. “The pet poodle was her mainstay. When Millie found herself alone and unable to travel very far, her pet became her life.” Indeed. “Unfortunately, the other family members are either too distraught, or too far removed from the situation.” Pet poodle ‘Pat’ had given her life’s devotion to her owner. The final will and testament for the humans has been dealt with, filed away and no doubt eventually all gets sorted. Except for the pet poodle ‘Pat’. The property may be deserted as Aunt Millie has gone into care or unfortunately passed away.
Hungry pets left on the property find their way onto the roadside or are ‘booted’ out. Agents do not want scrawny sickly animals to face their buying public. It is a sad fact. “Hunger will force the pets to fend for themselves. Usually, by the local ‘lixo’ bins or bar.”
Animal Rescue Algarve’s manager João Ferreira has his hands full. He has several abandoned animals of his own. ARA has volunteers and paid staff at their purpose-built large shelter ‘Cabanita’ outside of Loulé. “There are so many beautiful animals who are confused, in shock with not having their owner anymore. They don’t understand. They don’t know what is happening!”
He is right. The animal is probably the last to get sorted. Aunt Millie could, if she had known, asked for someone to act as her pet poodle ‘Pat’s’ guardian. The guardian would have drawn up paperwork with Millie and ARA, consenting to their beloved pet’s re-homing immediately if there was a problem. Not everyone is able to take on someone else’s pet, or pets for that matter.
Anita has seven dogs, their devotion to her repaid, by taking up ‘Legacy for Pets’ with ARA. “I can now sleep at night and not worry.” Anita is blunt. “We say they are our best friends for life, but for how long?”
- If you have pet(s) and want to discuss the opportunities that are open to you, contact ARA direct at [email protected]. They will then introduce you to the plan and the few bits of paperwork required. ARA have re-homed over 1,200 animals since 2018.
- For more information about APAA and its work, email [email protected]
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