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This year we spent May and June in Portugal. Portuguese friends told us that this winter had been the worst they could remember with high winds and torrential, non-stop rainfall from November last year to April this year. That, plus the worsening financial situation leading to more abandoned animals, naturally makes life even harder for animal refuges to survive. Many do not have kennel flooring or paving, turning them literally into a ‘sea of mud'. Veterinary treatment and medications also cost much the same as in the U.K. making it even harder now for many Portuguese to afford them. In fact, being able to spend two months in the country this year made us realise that the cost of living was much the same as at home, but with salary levels still lower than ours.
Just a mention in passing - we spent 2 weeks in Portugal around the end of November and made a Saturday visit to Marco de Canaveses kennels with volunteers and a Sunday at NAAAS, Sintra region, with volunteers. On both visits the heavy rain never stopped. We simply couldn't imagine how these volunteers remained so dedicated. (See 2009 visit page)
(Many websites contain an English version)
O Abrigo do Jumento
This was our first visit to the donkey sanctuary. We were welcomed and taken from Mafra by Diogo and Maria, the couple who are responsible for the refuge. They rent a small amount of land in this beautiful part of the country and currently house 16 donkeys. Their shelter's aim is both educational and protective. It was certainly a very informative and interesting visit.
It is estimated that Portugal still uses around 15,000 to 20,000 working donkeys mostly in the north. Land in this region is in short supply, very hilly and typically divided into small terraced parcels. It is cold in winter and very wet. Donkeys therefore are ideal for agricultural work where modern machinery would be of little use, even if it could be afforded.
There are many daily frustrations and difficulties for the refuge. Specialist training in veterinary care for donkeys is non-existent in Portugal and so a vet from Spain had to be found (at considerable cost as you can imagine). We understand that a qualified vet living in the far north of Portugal has been voluntarily undertaking some specialist training for donkey care - even so, such rare expertise remains expensive. Difficulties with routinely used medications are common. Sudocrem (bought over the counter here),is not obtainable in Portugal, and Bute, a commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory for chronic pain, has to be purchased in Spain.
Visitors are always welcome at the refuge by arrangement and good English is spoken. If you are thinking of visiting Portugal why not make a day of it and look at Mafra's monastery palace and its surrounding countryside? It's a visitable distance from Lisbon, and even nearer from Sintra, which has its own palaces. There is public transport from both Lisbon and Sintra if you do not have a car.
NAAAS, Sintra region
This refuge obtained charity status a year ago and we were able to join them this year for their very first anniversary fund-raising dinner on 29th May. There were around 95 people most of whom were Portuguese with a sprinkling of foreigners like ourselves. The food was good and the event lively. We hope this will help to widen the supporter base and that NAAAS will benefit more financially in the future from these events. Initially only 5 euros donation per dinner ticket went to NAAAS but it is a start. There are also 2 new volunteers who are updating some of the information technology, so for the first time a short film was shown at the dinner and some NAAAS merchandise was available for sale.
We also spent some time at the refuge with the volunteers and 100 dogs. No shortage of work there! (See 2009 visit).
MOITA
We wrote about MOITA last year as being ‘the most needy' of the established refuges and our opinion has not changed following the visit this year (see 2009 visit page).
We met Alda once more, a long standing, dedicated and -amazingly - still cheerful volunteer. The refuge continues to struggle in this poorer area of Portugal and is not easy to find or access. We receive regular e-mails which are sent out to supporters and know that additional appeals still have to be made for food when supply runs short, even though volunteers regularly install themselves at various supermarkets to request food donations.
They have managed to construct a storage building, albeit rather basic, but it is currently being used to house more abandoned animals, so cat and dog food is still being stored in the two old caravans. A rats' paradise!
The refuge has now bought sufficient second hand materials to construct one exercise area for the dogs but is awaiting volunteers who have enough time and ‘know-how' to erect it. The length of time it takes to achieve so little, we think, reflects both the financial poverty and inaccessibility of the area, making it hard to make its presence felt.
PEGADAS e BIGODES
We spent some days sightseeing in central Portugal. This region is north west of Lisbon and is a most attractive, underpopulated area, enjoyed by a number of Dutch expatriates looking for space and tranquillity. We stayed at a small rustic farmhouse owned by a young Dutch couple near Figueiro dos Vinhos. Our other reason for being in the area was to visit a dog refuge that we were told needed considerable support.
Our host Lied escorted us to the refuge where we met its owner, Aida. It has been a registered association since 2008. Aida bought the house and land with the intention of housing stray dogs. However, her surrounding land, although beautiful, is hilly and steeply terraced, and it's therefore not easy to clear or fence to use for many animals. Consequently her house and surrounding garden are overcrowded with dogs which are easily excitable and noisy. They certainly looked fed and cared for, none that we saw appeared afraid of us but often just had too much energy and wanted attention.
Lied has been trying to find help through various Dutch circles and from local trades people for building materials etc. We think supporting the development of this shelter could be a worthwhile cause if it is backed by the considerable experience of the Dutch in animal welfare work.
CASTELO BRANCO
This was our final visit before leaving Portugal. We had heard of the shelter at Castelo Branco because it is considered an outstanding example of what can be done. The town lies north east of Lisbon, very near the Spanish border.
We met a Portuguese and Czech Republic volunteer who showed us around. There are about 50 dogs of all shapes and sizes, in varying states of health and illness. All have adequate space and are given the usual health checks and daily routine care requirements. We did not meet their full time director as she had prior appointments and we were not able to be flexible because of our travel arrangements.
This refuge is a model of good care because it is well supported by the local municipal council even though, of course, the refuge has to raise money and find volunteers and supporters like any other charity. It is also the only refuge we have found that offers other services to the local community - reduced price holiday kennels, a place for owners to bath, groom and de-parasite their dogs, veterinary and general care advice, and a reduced price crematorium service. All this greatly helps people to take better care of their own dogs, especially since most Portuguese people live in apartments, so that even grooming or bathing for instance can be quite difficult.