Blog

During 2024, AEZA continued with its main activity and with the work it had already been doing in previous years, in order to protect abandoned, neglected animals or animals owned by people in need in the municipality of Aljezur.

Thus, in summary, the activity carried out during 2024 was this:

Dogs

163 new dogs entered the shelter.
Of these, 51 were returned to their owners; 11 died due to illness, old age, or natural death.
In total: 97 were adopted (43 in Portugal; 53 in Germany; 1 in the United Kingdom)
At the end of the year we had 51 dogs in care, 28 in the shelter and 23 in foster families.

Cats

67 new cats entered the shelter.

Of these, 13 died due to natural death, old age or illness, 9 returned to their keepers or colonies, 5 were adopted in Germany; 7 were adopted in the United Kingdom; 25 were adopted in Portugal.

At the end of the year we had 54 cats in our care in the cattery alone, but 2 will go to Germany at the end of January.

All animals given up for adoption were previously vaccinated, dewormed, chipped and sterilised, before going to their new homes.

Sterilisation/castration

Sterilisation/castration of cats from colonies and individuals: 375 interventions.

Sterilisation/castration of privately owned and abandoned dogs: 92 interventions.

Cat colonies

AEZA also helps several colonies of cats in various locations in the municipality of Aljezur: sterilizing them, providing food and veterinary care, when necessary.

Daily food in most colonies is provided by AEZA and made available to the animals by some local residents, which has been a valuable help.

Unfortunately, the number of animals delivered to us is not decreasing, on the contrary, and this is due to several factors beyond AEZA’s control.

Among these factors are: the lack of sensitivity, civility and responsibility on the part of many citizens who do not sterilise their animals; the lack of serious commitment on the part of the competent entities and authorities who do not show interest or do not have the necessary means to enforce the law or their responsibilities, and thus, many animals are victims of neglect and mistreatment, which results in some of these animals having to be collected by us.

Few people have any idea of ​​the scourge that is happening to animals in Portugal; although some progress has been made in recent years, there is no day that we, the management, do not receive requests for help for animals: chained; lost; sick; abandoned; newborns left in garbage containers; neglected, etc, etc, etc…

Arrival of a municipal veterinarian

The arrival of a municipal veterinarian at the service of the CM of Aljezur at the beginning of 2022, which should be a key element when it comes to animals, as well as an important help in the continuation of AEZA’s work, unfortunately is not functioning for several reasons: on the one hand this element was placed at the service of the CM of Aljezur, but without the necessary means to allow it to move forward with the various projects and needs that this department requires, that is, once again the lack of interest or indifference that tends to be present throughout the country, when it comes to animals. In Aljezur it is no different, with this topic being belittled and ignored by the competent authorities, who should be the main interested parties and drivers of AEZA’s work, but unfortunately they don’t do it, or at least they don’t do it in the way that the topic needs and deserves.

Incentivation of sterilisation of dogs and cats

In 2024, we continued to encourage the sterilisation of dogs and cats by offering payment or part thereof, distributing vouchers so that this type of intervention could continue to be implemented. In this way and with the collaboration of Dr. Filipa Alves, Dr. Pedro Kaiseler, Dr. Ana Ramos and also some clinics in Lagos, it was possible to carry out the sterilisation/neutering of around 500 animals (dogs and cats), coming from families of low resources, abandoned animals, or people who would not otherwise take this priority initiative, which aims to control the population of stray animals. To achieve its objectives, AEZA had the support of Aljezur City Council, ACCT, Nandi, Sandra Wieser, Mónika Haucke, Peggy Webster, Friends of AEZA, and all the volunteers who perform various functions, such as: cleaning from the kennel and cattery on weekends, participation in fairs and events, carrying out small works, temporary foster families, among others.

Members

We currently have 133 members; we welcomed 6 new ones in 2024. Unfortunately, some have not paid their dues for several years.

Paid staff

We continue to collaborate with Jutta Klaudat in maintaining the kennel during weekdays, between 9am and 3pm. Due to the increase in work in the cattery and in supporting the various colonies, we also continue to count on the collaboration of Judite Pereira during the days of the week. These are the only two elements that collaborate with AEZA on a paid basis.

Maintenance and improvement works

Some maintenance and improvement works on the facilities continue to be carried out whenever necessary and on an ongoing basis, and these are generally sponsored by the CM of Aljezur with regard to materials, and by AEZA with regard to labour. It is worth highlighting the installation of electricity in the cattery, an expense covered by APAA.

Walk a shelter dog

Every week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, walks with our shelter’s dogs continue, which is an essential activity for the coexistence between people and animals, in addition to the freedom and well-being offered to our dogs.

Medical treatment

Treatments and deworming of animals have continued regularly for those in the shelter, but also for animals in the care of people in need, to whom we offer deworming or other treatments, with the necessary regularity.

External events

Regarding external events for the purpose of raising funds, unfortunately we have not been able to participate in as many as we would like, essentially due to a lack of volunteers to ensure these participations. However, we participated once again in the Aljezur sweet potato festival, the Rogil peanut festival, the events organized by Friends of AEZA and some farmers’ markets in Aljezur.

Good example

AEZA is a good example, recognized by many, inside and outside the municipality of Aljezur and the country.

It should be noted that AEZA’s activity deals directly with lives. Just like firefighters or other entities that work with life, whether people or, in this case, animals, we cannot afford not to do it now and leave it until tomorrow. When an animal needs help, it doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or a holiday, as someone has to resolve the situation immediately.
AEZA volunteers have been carrying out this public service for 23 years, voluntarily and altruistically, just out of love for the cause and for the good of the municipality of Aljezur and the country.

Many other things have been done and there is still much to be done!

However, we will continue on our path and for this we hope to count on the support of everyone who has helped us and others who may be able and willing to join us.

It is still common for a good part of society to think that the animal cause is a minor cause and that those who dedicate themselves to it do so because they have nothing else to do, and that humanitarian causes (very important in fact) should be the ones that should be the priority.

It is worth remembering that anyone who dedicates themselves to animal causes or environmental causes is directly helping to build a more ethical, more civilised, healthier, cleaner, safer society, in favour of a more sustainable future, therefore, a society and a better world for everyone.

Final thanks

Final thanks to everyone involved in the various actions and activities that take place throughout the year, and we cannot fail to highlight some people who are the soul and support, which allows AEZA to continue operating 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, and here I will just mention some of those who support us daily, like this: a special thanks to Kerry; to Isabel; to Jane; to Faith; to Camilla; to Lurdes, and to the enormous dedication and dedication to our animals, on the part of Jutta and Judite.

I also send a sincere thank you to everyone else who in one way or another helps AEZA and its animals, whether: dog walking volunteers; weekend cleaning volunteers; volunteers at fairs and events; to the group Friends of AEZA; ACCT; NANDI; APAA; to the veterinarians who collaborate with AEZA throughout the year; to the partners and friends who, through donations of various types, make things possible; to all the others that I may not have mentioned, but who also make their valuable contribution.

Greetings Ecologists and Zoophiles,
By the direction of AEZA,
the President of the board