Animal Help Algarve

Many unwanted dogs get unfairly abandoned to fend for themselves. They can form packs, beg from café tables, or steal chickens from smallholdings, etc., and only a few of them manage to survive scar-free from their experiences.

Pets are often abandoned because their owners can no longer afford to take care of them, maybe their personal circumstances have changed, or they weren’t aware of the costs to take care of a pet over its entire life. They may be unable to give the commitment required, perhaps the pet just doesn’t gel well with the rest of the family, or the whole family might have to emigrate and aren’t able to take their pet with them. Animal charities suggest you should always try to find a solution without just abandoning animals, as a pet can be scarred for life by such an experience.

Some have not been socialised, and dogs, in particular, might show unwanted behaviour, for example, by being aggressive to other dogs or people – it’s often not their fault, as they have lacked proper training when they were young or got into ‘survival of the fittest’ fights for scraps of food with other strays.

And worst of all, some companion animals have been used to make money (racing, breeding) or even for sports (hunting, fighting), and when the animal becomes too slow, old or sick they are no longer ‘fit for purpose’, and become unwanted. The lucky ones are handed into reputable animal shelters or re-homed - however, for many they are either abandoned or brutally killed.

One society I came across recently doesn’t even have a location, as the dogs that are taken in are temporarily kept at their chosen vet, then either fostered out to someone from their dedicated band of volunteers or kept in a private shelter, under the leadership of Susan, and they will all work closely with other local societies.

Animal Help Santa Bárbara de Nexe may not be as big as some of the more well-known rescuers, but like all the others, they have one aim - to give the animals they rescue as good a life as possible, and a lot of care, dedication - and money – is involved. They work tirelessly to match pets to new owners, socialise dogs with other dogs, foster, walk and help a shy dog gain confidence if necessary. They can then be fostered to prospective adopters to ensure a smooth adoption, making sure that both the animal and new owners are happy.

They are taken to the vet on rescue and given a full health check, vaccinations, any necessary medications and sterilised. Their dietary needs are taken care of when known. Animal Help Santa Barbara de Nexe work closely with the vet, whom delivers a high standard of care to establish that the animals are given a healthy start to their new lives. Animal Help organises fund-raising events including a fun, monthly golf tournament held at different courses, market stalls and stands to not only pay their never-ending vet bills, but to raise awareness that someone is there to help, and that animals don’t need to be abandoned to fend for themselves when they are unwanted, but can be adopted into loving and caring homes.

Sometimes it takes weeks to regain the trust of a rescued stray dog before it will be brave enough to come near a volunteer, and everyone involved find it so rewarding when that frightened, bewildered dog finds itself in the warm embrace of the many people whom will start the caring process.

Should you feel that you can help in any way, either by fostering, spending time cuddling puppies, walkies or donating into their vet care fund, Susan would be delighted to hear from you. Just call her on +351 918 425 448.