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.

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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.

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Algarve Dog Rescue (demo)

• Dogs

A demo rescue organisation rehoming dogs across the western Algarve, with a foster network and a small kennel facility.

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Algarve Horse Alarm

Animal rescue service based in Barão de São João providing assistance relating to horses and equine rescue in the Algarve.

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Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cadela Carlota & Companhia

Non-profit animal protection organisation caring for abandoned dogs and cats in the Lagos area. It provides shelter, veterinary care, rehabilitation and rehoming, while some animals remain permanently in its care because of age, illness or disability.

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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.

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Happy-Donkeys Sanctuary

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ria Formosa Cat Welfare (demo)

A demo welfare organisation running neutering programmes and colony care around the eastern Algarve.

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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.

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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.

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Serra Horse Sanctuary (demo)

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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