PORCHES, ALGARVE – January 2026 CCCA – Carvoeiro Cat Charity Associação (CCCA), one of the biggest of Algarve's leading feline welfare organization, is reaching out to the community for urgent support as municipal funding promised under a formal cooperation agreement has remained unpaid for over 12 months.

Despite the funding crisis, CCCA continues to operate its comprehensive animal welfare programs 24/7, currently sheltering 240 cats—20% above contracted capacity—while consistently exceeding every performance target outlined in Protocol ■ 21/SAS/2024 with Lagoa Municipality.

Exceeding expectations despite financial crisis

CCCA's 2024-2025 achievements demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community:

• 167 sterilisations completed (120% above the 75-cat commitment)

• 34 successful adoptions (25% above the 24-cat target)

• 240 cats currently sheltered (20% above contracted 200-cat capacity)

• 31 feral cats trapped, neutered, and returned to managed colonies

• Already 400+ feline lives saved through the blood bank program

• 7 international veterinary students trained, providing hundreds of hours of skilled care

• 97 high-risk cats rescued and taken into the shelter from the Municipal of Lagoa in 2025

• 35 students reached through educational outreach programs

Programs serving the entire region

CCCA operates comprehensive programs from its 10,000 square meter Quinta dos Gatos facility in Porches:

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): Active management of multiple feral cat colonies across Carvoeiro and surrounding areas, preventing thousands of future homeless cats through population control.

Feline Blood Bank: Partnership with BSA (Banco Sangue Animal), providing emergency blood transfusions for cats across Portugal. With 77 registered donor cats, CCCA has saved over 400 feline lives nationwide.

24/7 Emergency Rescue: Round-the-clock response to injured, abandoned, and at-risk cats throughout the region.

Specialised Medical Care: Dedicated facilities for FIV+ and FeLV cats, providing compassionate care for cats often considered "unadoptable" elsewhere.

Veterinary Training Hub: International students gain hands-on clinical experience while providing professional care to shelter cats.

Community Education: School programs teaching responsible pet ownership and animal welfare to the next generation.

Remarkable efficiency

Operating entirely on volunteers, CCCA achieves exceptional value for the community at just

€338 per cat annually—less than half the €800-1,200 typical municipal animal control costs. This covers all food, medical care, shelter operations, sterilisation programs, blood bank services, emergency response, and community outreach.

The charity's annual operating costs are huge and rely upon local and international donor contributions, in-kind donations of food, bedding and equipment, cat sponsorships, fundraising events and membership fees, PLUS THE CÂMARA FUNDING.

Diplomatic approach to resolution

"We've followed every proper channel—made countless phone calls, sent emails, travelled to municipal offices for scheduled meetings," explains Corina Janiec, CCCA founder and president. "We want to believe this is an administrative oversight, not intentional neglect. But while paperwork sits in filing cabinets, animals are suffering."

"We're not looking for sympathy—we're looking for partnership," Corina emphasises. "We're asking the municipality to honour the promise they made. And we're asking our community to help us bridge this gap."

Community impact

If CCCA were forced to close, Lagoa Municipality would face an immediate crisis: managing 254 sheltered cats requiring immediate placement; over 50 high-risk transfers from the Municipal Kennel annually; multiple feral cat colonies across the region; emergency rescue calls day and night; and blood bank services supporting cats across Portugal. It needs to be remembered that these cats are from the Municipality of Lagoa, so is the responsibility of the Câmara de Lagoa

Creating municipal departments to replicate CCCA's work would likely cost triple the current €25,000 annual investment.

Award recognition

In 2024, CCCA was named a creditable runner-up in the Contribution to Charitable Causes category by the Algarve Business Awards, recognising its exceptional impact on regional animal welfare.

How to help

Financial donations:

• Bank Transfer: IBAN PT50 0036 0256 9910 0062 04965, Swift/BIC: MPIOPTPL

• PayPal: ccca@protonmail.com (mark as friend to avoid fees)

• Monthly sponsorships starting at €10

In-Kind Donations: Cat food and litter (60 bags weekly), building materials, tiles, curtains, bedding, blankets, towels, cushions, sheets

Volunteer Opportunities: Shelter care, event support, transportation, communications. Workaway program: 2-3 week stays with accommodation provided. 16 nationalities are currently represented in the volunteer base.

Adoptions: Cats of all ages seeking forever homes, including sweet FIV+ cats for knowledgeable adopters.

ABOUT CARVOEIRO CAT CHARITY ASSOCIAÇÃO

Founded in 2013 by Corina Janiec, CCCA is a registered Portuguese charity operating entirely on volunteer power. Located in Porches, near Nobel International British School, CCCA provides comprehensive feline welfare services including shelter, emergency rescue, TNR programs, blood bank operations, veterinary training, and community education.

V» CCCA is registered in DGAV with registration number A005 (see listing "ALOJAMENTOS DE ANIMAIS DE COMPANHIA SEM FINS LUCRATIVOS AUTORIZADOS".

For more information, interviews, or shelter visits:

Email: ccc.carvoeirocatcharity@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +351 918 552 788

Website: www.carvoeirocatcharity.com

Facebook: @CarvoeiroCatCharity