The roads in Portugal, especially the Algarve, are inviting; some appear open and never-ending, appealing to the Formula 1 speed merchant.

Jenny, President of the Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA) and her colleague Liz have been trying to lure a small abandoned female dog that resides on the road between two restaurants in Odelouca. “We call her Ms Odelouca…” Jenny’s smile turns grim. “We were trying to get her into a trap, so that we could get her to the vets, spayed, inspected, fostered and then re-homed to a proper forever home.” They had a plan.

But, unfortunately, it did not include an errant Podengo-type doggy turning up on the scene. The two soon became friends. “This disruption meant we had to really concentrate on getting her out of the equation and maternity mode. Not feeding her for a couple of days would make the food in the trap far more interesting.” Liz kept an eye out for them from afar. However, when ready to set up the trap, I found that the little fellow had been the victim of a hit-and-run, his little broken, bloodied body tossed on the roadside.

“Needless to say, we are all devastated. It takes time to try and get these poor neglected abandoned animals confident enough to feed, let alone capture for rescuing and a future forever home.” A single car on the road is a lethal weapon in the wrong hands. “Especially on this stretch of the road, it curves and slopes upwards and then drops dramatically on the other side. A field day for young hot-heads. Not so young, maybe.” Still desperate to get Ms Odelouca to safety whilst she is looking for her friend, who was probably guarding her. He was obviously waiting for her to come into heat. “A ticking time-bomb, whichever way you look at it… leave the dogs, and they starve, mate and have puppies on the roadside.” The APAA rescue story never ends. Unfortunately, it is never the only one, there are many stories of abandoned pregnant females and lonely dogs on the prowl. “Please, just think when you get into the car and buckle that you put a word in your head. ‘Caution!’ Could be a human, not just a dog. No forever home for him!

Visit APAA Charity shops, Dunas do Alvor: Mon-Sat 10.30 am–2 pm, Rua Elias Garcia 20, Silves: Mon-Fri 10 am–2 pm (Sat 1 pm), Silves. Real bargains. Books, gifts. Hand-made jewellery, ornaments. Home-made chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Glassware, dinner services, cutlery. Clothing. Everything you need for your home or rental. All proceeds raised for SNiP and Abandoned animals. Having a clear-out? Think APAA.

Triple Charity Auction Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/594035701307971

Jackie’s lunches & events: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com

Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (Mark Anita for ‘Legacy for Pets’)

Please check out APAA’s Facebook!