TJ’s knowledge of cats came from brief interludes during childhood. The Portimão Suspension bridge spanning the Arade had once again, started seemingly never-ending road works. “The car behind was agitated, as was everyone else.” TJ recalls, it was just before Christmas. Finally after a lot of signalling and yelling, she realised the problem was a small kitten, darting alongside the bridge’s narrow path between the girders and traffic.

“It ended up under my car inside the under-carriage.” Finally managing to rescue the now very wild, terrified cat an equally scared TJ managed to squash the kitten into her shopping bag and cover it with a towel. Later, the tail was removed.

“Naming her ‘Kitty’ in the end, as she seemed to respond to the name when food was about.” TJ’s hair salon had been a bit of a mess for a few hours until ‘Kitty’ was taken to the vet. “She’s fine now, and waiting to be spayed.” TJ and her clients can only guess, that perhaps the little unwanted cat was deliberately abandoned on the bridge. “Of course, it could have just escaped out of the owner’s car.”

APAA’s President, Jenny Clarke, knows only too well that all rescuers like to think the best. “Accidentally left-on-purpose! If, it wasn’t for the kind hearts and generosity of the Algarvean public, where would we be?” It does cost time and money to take on a stray cat or dog. But, there are people who are willing to do this and help the Association’s work in protecting the animals.


Future events: ‘Pop-Up’ Shop The ‘Jolly’ Bar Alvor, Nr Campsite. 21/02 11-2pm A huge range of goods for home, garden and patio. Home-made jams and cookies. Fi-Line Fashion and Gill Goode’s prints and cards. Ferragudo Car-boot sale 2nd-Sunday every month 8-12. Always a good buy at ‘Pop-Up’ Shop Chicken Piri-piri day ‘O Tasco’ Monday 10th March 12-3pm. Another. Paul & Pasi health day 22 March.

“Don’t forget our charity shops in Alvor and Silves.” Jenny has a long list of things they need to top up for their ‘Pop-Up’ shops. “We had an excellent year 2024, and now need some new goodies in good condition, you don’t want; small furnishings, house-hold linens, glassware, books. Clothes.” Just packing up her van with another load of home-made jams, chutneys, pickles and marmalades. “Some are a bit exotic but they are very popular. Always new one’s on the boil!” Also at ‘Pop-Up’ Shops Jackie’s cookies. “Some of our lunch events at Jackie’s house have been very successful and getting more and more popular.” Fancy a lunch with friends, and donate the cost to APAA?

Contact: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com

Contact: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com

Charity Group: Emporium https://www.facebook.com/groups/594035701307971

Dates: 22/02-01/03 and 22/03-29/03.