In the doggie world, this is surely a ‘Heinz 57’. Mixed race dogs are not uncommon here in the Algarve, temperamentally leaning towards loving, loyal and “different”.
Recently, an owner has gone into care, leaving behind 10-year-old sisters currently in need of a kind, loving home. They are vaccinated, chipped and in excellent health. If homed together, magic!
In another case, a cat had to be taken into Animal Rescue Algarve’s (ARA) shelter outside of Loulé where they put her into a rabbit-hutch. Due to her circumstances living in an apartment, she was shy and wary. Now, ‘Monkey’, as she was called, has been re-homed with a fabulous family and is in her happy, ever-after home. This was another case of owner suddenly being taken into care.
“The two situations are common!” said Jenny Clarke, president of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), who knows this reality only too well, having managed to get her animals signed up with ARA with their new ‘Legacy for Pets’ scheme. “If only we could reach out to our elderly animal-loving population to understand we don’t live forever …” Nor do their pets, but they deserve a decent chance of re-homing if something should happen to their owner(s).
The brainchild of ARA’s founder Sid Richardson, ‘Legacy for Pets’ is ongoing. It fills that necessary gap we should all consider. We love our pets, but what happens after we are gone?
GNR SEPNA
Badging your product is important, so the GNR tend to stand out when they are on duty. Guarda Nacional Republicana are multi-faceted. A branch of which is known as SEPNA (Serviço de Proteção de Nacional Ambiente). Their general mission list is long, covering Fauna and Flora, Forests and Animal Protection.
Recently, a call for help from APAA’s Silves shop, where Margarida had heard that a dog with Leishmaniasis disease was suffering, unnecessarily. They will check on the animal and ensure it is being treated, fairly and correctly. If you think they can help, go to their website and make contact.
Leishmaniasis is a dangerous disease caused by a female sand fly biting and infecting the human or animal, causing parasites to manifest themselves, growing rapidly, increasingly damaging; some versions are killers. Whilst treatable, others are painful and obviously upsetting to the patient. Animals from an early age can be checked by a blood test for Leishmaniasis and then vaccinated against having the painful disease.
If diagnosed, an animal can be treated with medication and proper care. If in doubt, consult the vet. The same goes for parvovirus. Early vaccinations and proper ongoing healthcare for our pets is of paramount importance.
ARA ‘Legacy for Pets’: [email protected]
Re-homing: [email protected] | [email protected]
Article submitted by Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA)
