'गुड, बैड एंड द कडली... '

“Jenny had already got ‘lodgers’. So I took them on.” As it happens a neighbour’s bitch just had puppies, and I took on two of them. They are beautiful!” (But that is another matter). Carina, obviously has an understanding, of helping nature. A long-term member of the Association for Protection of Algarve continues. “We have found homes for two of the neighbour’s puppies. They were ready to go, more or less.”

Fortunately, helped by APAA’s SNiP campaign? “Of course!” Carina knows how important the Spaying and Neutering of animals programme is to the animals’ welfare. “It can be distressing for the community too.” Seeing sickly, abandoned animals, there is no real reason for it, at all!” Carina is right. APAA and other shelters are available along with Vets to give support when needed. “Our three pre-Christmas pups will be ready to home soon.” Not going to be too difficult they look gorgeous.

Recent reports of the ferocious feline ‘parvo’ surfacing on the Algarve, from Lisa Dowling, APAA’s Facebook editor, unfortunately, now seems to be on the increase. ‘Suber’ a young rescue kitten, was re-homed, had the virus and died. Shocking for all concerned, as re-homing, to their forever home would mean a happy ending. Zélia Santos and her friends are obviously fearful for their feline colonies. As most cat lovers will appreciate, the most common-sense approach is to ensure domesticated pets are kept away from feral animals. The disease has depleted the feline population, over the decades. It appears and disappears. “The only way to beat it is to treat it, at the source."

Ensure all animals are vaccinated as soon as possible.” Jenny warns. “It does spread, rapidly.” The problem is, that there are more ‘feral’ cats than dogs. They multiply a lot faster, and felines do pass on the disease through their social behavioural patterns. Young immune systems cannot cope. “Through our cat colonies, we do try and catch them, as young as is possible, SNiP them and also make sure they are vaccinated.” Jenny’s concern is obvious. “Problem is catching them. Cats are cunning creatures. One whiff of a problem they are off!” Symptoms of feline ‘parvovirus’ are distinctive. Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, followed by wobbly unpredictable behaviour then finally collapse. As soon as you become suspicious please don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact a vet immediately.

If you want to help, or indeed need help contact Jenny at info.apaaaportugal.@gmail.com or zelia.santos@live.co.uk. Also, check out Facebook.