Adoption & Fostering

A Dog's Life Rescue & Sanctuary

Licensed dog shelter and registered charity in the Eastern Algarve. It rescues abandoned, neglected and abused dogs, with some rehomed or fostered and others remaining permanently as sanctuary dogs because of health or behavioural needs.

• Sanctuary

ADAPO – Associação de Defesa dos Animais e Plantas de Olhão

• Cats

ADAPO is an Olhão-based animal (and plant) welfare association that partners with the municipality on feral-cat colony identification and sterilisation programmes in the Ria Formosa area.

• Shelter

AEZA – Associação Ecologista e Zoófila de Aljezur

Non-profit organisation protecting animals in the Aljezur area. Its work includes rescuing neglected and abused animals, caring for animals at its shelter, rehoming, sterilisation campaigns and animal-welfare education.

• Rescue

Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA)

• Dogs
• Cats

Animal rescue organisation near Loulé dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned dogs and cats. It operates a dedicated rescue centre and also undertakes community sterilisation and animal-welfare initiatives.

• Shelter
• Rescue

APAA – Associação de Protecção Animal do Algarve

Algarve animal-welfare charity established in 1994. Having closed its former rescue centre, APAA now concentrates on helping owners with limited means fund sterilisation, urgent veterinary treatment and emergency operations, as well as supporting street-animal sterilisation programmes.

• Association

Associação Bamboo

Animal rescue association and shelter in Vila do Bispo dedicated to helping abandoned animals and providing them with protection and care. Small privately funded sanctuary in the Western Algarve for rescued donkeys and abandoned dogs. The organisation originally began by rescuing donkeys and now provides ongoing care, exercise, food and veterinary services for animals at its sanctuary.

• Sanctuary

Burro Verde

Sanctuary for rescued donkeys in the southwestern Algarve, providing a permanent home and care for donkeys while also offering donkey experiences and supporting animal and environmental welfare.

• Sanctuary

Cadela Carlota & Companhia – Associação de Proteção de Animais

• Dogs
• Cats

Cadela Carlota has cared for abandoned dogs and cats in the Lagos area since 2008, focused on welfare, health and rehoming. Some animals stay as permanent residents due to age or chronic health issues. Its president, Cecília do Carmo, also proposed and championed the Lagos municipal pet cemetery through the 2016 Participatory Budget.

• Shelter

Carvoeiro Cat Charity

Cat-focused charity in the Lagoa municipality rescuing cats at risk and finding homes for them. It also operates a shelter and manages free-living cat colonies, including feeding, veterinary care and sterilisation programmes.

• Rescue

Happy-Donkeys Sanctuary

• Donkeys

Small private donkey sanctuary in the Algarve providing a home for rescued donkeys. Located between Monchique and Alferce.

• Sanctuary

Lagos Horse Riding & Rescue Centre

Horse riding centre and animal rescue near Lagos that rescues horses and donkeys. Rescued horses are not used in the riding programme and remain at the farm in retirement. Riding activities help fund the rescue work.

• Rescue

Mayday Algarve

Small, donation-funded animal sanctuary in the Vila do Bispo area providing a safe haven for abandoned dogs. Dogs receive daily care, veterinary treatment and rehabilitation while the organisation also seeks suitable permanent homes.

• Sanctuary

Place for Strays

Volunteer-supported refuge near Albufeira providing a safe place for abandoned and mistreated dogs. It also supports cat colonies and runs sterilisation initiatives to prevent further animal suffering.

• Sanctuary

Porto d'Abrigo – Centro de Reabilitação de Espécies Marinhas

Marine and aquatic wildlife rehabilitation centre operated by Zoomarine in collaboration with ICNF. It rescues, rehabilitates and returns marine and aquatic animals to the natural environment.

• Rescue

Refúgio dos Burros

Private animal refuge in rural Estômbar providing lifelong care for rescued animals. Although it began as a donkey refuge, it now cares for around 150 rescued animals of different species, including animals that are elderly, sick, disabled or otherwise unlikely to be adopted.

• Sanctuary

RIAS – Centro de Recuperação e Investigação de Animais Selvagens

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre at Quinta de Marim in Olhão. RIAS receives injured and debilitated wild animals, provides veterinary rehabilitation and aims to return recovered animals to the wild.

• Rescue

Santa Barbara Animal Help

Volunteer-run dog rescue operating in the Santa Bárbara de Nexe area. It rescues and prepares dogs for adoption using foster homes and local pet-hotel facilities rather than operating its own kennels.

• Rescue

Serra Horse Sanctuary (demo)

A demo sanctuary caring for retired and rescued horses and donkeys in the hills above Silves.

• Sanctuary

SOS Algarve Animals

Animal-welfare organisation focused particularly on sterilisation of abandoned and free-roaming cats and dogs and affordable sterilisation for low-income families. It also supports anti-cruelty and animal-rescue work and promotes local shelters rather than operating its own shelter.

• Rescue

State of Being – Horse Sanctuary Algarve

Horse sanctuary in the Algarve providing a safe and loving home for rescued horses. The sanctuary was established in Portugal in 2014 and focuses on the physical and emotional wellbeing of rescued horses.

• Sanctuary

The Goldra Dog Sanctuary

Volunteer-run dog sanctuary in Goldra caring for abandoned and mistreated dogs. Animals are rehabilitated and rehomed where possible, while older or otherwise unsuitable dogs can remain at the sanctuary permanently.

• Sanctuary

Tiny Shelter

Algarve animal rescue organisation focused primarily on rescuing, caring for, rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned and mistreated dogs. The organisation also provides fostering, volunteering and community support. They operate entirely on donations. If contacting them by phone, please send a WhatsApp message and they will respond as soon as they are able to do so. Please note that their location on the map is not accurate as they have not yet shared their location in Google Maps.

• Rescue

Wigglestail Animal Sanctuary

Animal sanctuary in the Algarve hills providing ongoing care for rescued animals. The organisation relies on volunteers and donations and provides animal care, socialisation, rehabilitation and sanctuary facilities.

• Rescue