(Nipc 5047798197)

telephone
282 459 207 or 282 431 334
info@refugiodosburros.nl

NEWSLETTER - August 2006 - A LITTLE ABOUT US

The donkey sanctuary, was established in 1991 by Peter Lee Lander and Nan Richardson who during their previous 12 years in the Algarve. They bought a small farm to house the increasing number of rescued donkeys, dogs and cats and their good work became a full-time commitment, run entirely on donations.

Finding enough money to feed, house and provide veterinary care for the animals continues a priority. Our two charity shops welcome gifts of resalable clothes, books, furniture and bric-a-brac etc. One shop you can find in Monte Carvoeiro and is run by Chris Cottis, the shop is open Monday to Friday 10-1 pm and 2.30-6 pm and on Saturdays until 1 pm.

In Lagoa is our second shop, next to Solvet clinic and Helydoce pastelaria. Here we have a large number of furniture items and literally 100’s of books in various languages. Our Lagoa shop is open Monday to Friday 11 am- 7 pm and until 1 pm on Saturdays.

MORE IS LESS

The more dogs and cats which are neutered, the less abandoned animals there will be. Sometimes we feel we are fighting a losing battle in our efforts to stern the tide of abandoned and ill treated animals. The owners themselves must begin to take responsibility for their animals. If they don’t want litters of puppies and kittens, then they should have their bitches and cats spayed. It is the only way to prevent the hundreds of unwanted animals born each year. Most of which are either killed or dumped in rubbish containers or left to live on the streets and eventually produce more unwanted kittens and puppies.

Between October and December last year, we had 44 puppies waiting for re-homing.

When we home our animals we do our best to ensure that they are going to good homes and will be well treated.

People who have cocker spaniels and poodles should be aware that the fur of their ears must be clipped from time to time. In fact, any dog with naturally long fur should have a hair-cut to help keep them cool and avoid matted fur.

DONKEYS

Peter goes all over Portugal to rescue donkeys and re-homes as many as possible. Sadly the true Portuguese donkey is becoming extinct.

There was a call about a donkey which had been lying on its side for some time. It had a hole in its side result from a gunshot. The owner refused to allow the donkey to be humanely put down. The police didn’t want to know and it took a further 5 days before it died.

In Spain a donkey had been hit by a car. The accident left him with torn tendons on the hip and bone damage. He was brought back to the sanctuary. As a result of the accident, he walks sideways but has improved and is happy in his new home with us.

A mule had been lying on the ground for 8 days in Portimão. Peter went there with his own vet and the ministry vet. They got her to move but the police had to be called before further action could be taken. Although she was neglected by her owners, their permission was needed to take the animal. Finally at the sanctuary the vet confirmed that sadly she would never recover from her shattered femur and spinal injuries. And so the decision to put her down was taken. Again, an animal had been left to suffer unnecessarily and it was the donkey sanctuary who had to deal with the problem.