Marking the first year since we adopted Pequi, I thought it would be nice to tell you more about the shelter where we found her. Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA) shelter is run by volunteers and is situated in the picturesque valley of Loulé, Algarve, Portugal.
The place is locally known as Cabanita. This is where we found our latest addition to the family – Pequi, who was at the time we met known as Gigi.
ARA is a charitable association, which was founded quite recently (just 5 years ago) by Sid Richardson – an English businessman who’s lived in Portugal for +25 years and who saw that even though there’s legislative support requiring the local councils to keep stray dogs safe until someone “claims” them, it is not the case in Portugal, mainly due to practically non-existent governmental funding. Mr Richardson funded the total capital cost of the project and has also been financing the running costs since its inception, additionally to the donations from the public.
Here’s a video of him describing ARA’s work:
ARA opened its doors at the end of 2018, with the first adoption in November 2018. Since then, they have helped with the adoption of over a thousand animals.
In the shelter, there are many socialising areas for the dogs (including a new doggy paddling pool) and 48 sustainable kennels that are clean and very good size. These kennels can hold up to 100 dogs and puppies and never more than two dogs per kennel unless they’re siblings with mum.
The whole area is very chill for the animals. We were so chuffed when we heard calm music playing from the speakers in various areas of the kennels. When asked, one of the volunteers explained that music is played every day, as it keeps the doggies calm.
The concept of ARA is to have the correct ratio of staff for the number of dogs so that they can not only be rescued, but also socialised and prepared for successful rehoming.
Besides ARA’s permanent staff, up to twenty volunteers live at Cabanita through the Workaway volunteering scheme and, consequently, lots of dogs get to stay with them too in the housing provided. Some find their forever homes with the volunteers.
Local volunteers regularly come to help with walking and socialising the dogs. Together with the staff, they do dog walks outside the shelter in the local hills and valleys of Loulé. The volunteers take the dogs to have fun at the nearby beaches too.
The ARA website is https://animalrescuealgarve.com/en/ and you can also check them out on ARA’s instagram @animalrescuealgarve.
During Pequi’s adoption process, we spoke a lot with one of ARA’s team – Justyna. She had this amazingly calming effect on us and Pequi at the time. Firstly, she knew exactly what Pequi is like and was clearly aware of all the emotions both the dog and the new family goes through. Secondly, she mentioned several times that if for any reason we don’t feel like we can handle the change of having a rescue dog for any minor reason, we are welcome to return her to the shelter. This was in no way intrusive or judgmental. It was a true suggestion that we considered many times through the first few months after officially adopting Pequi. Thankfully, we persisted and worked patiently to shape this new, messy, true family of ours.
The staff at ARA are doing an amazing job and all the animals are loved dearly. In the times we visited them, all animals at ARA seemed to be content with the life they were living in the Cabanita, but they all still deserve their own forever family!
The cost of running Cabanita is quite substantial and help of any kind is always deeply appreciated.
We donate via Paypal. If you can, please help them too!
Please check here for ways you could help: https://animalrescuealgarve.com/en/how-can-help-ara/
If you want to read more about Pequi and her sister, Gambá, check this post.
Thanks for reading,
Lolita
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