NEWS FROM THE REFUGIO DOS BURROS

NEWS FROM THE REFUGIO DOS BURROS - JANUARY 1999

FIRST OF ALL IN 1999 we would like to thank all the people who helped us to get through the very difficult days of 1998.

The Old Year went out on a dramatic note, gale force winds of 140 km. caused a great deal of damage to the stables and shelters, many trees were blown down and the torrential rain cut deep channels in the soil which was very dangerous for the donkeys. Two of the Donkey Shelters were blown down, the Hay barn was stripped of tiles and the dog kennels damaged, and to
make things even worse, there was no Electricity for two days which meant that the Water supply pumps could not work!

Fortunately, just before Christmas a sum of money was kindly donated by a German benefactor for the purchase of a small Tractor and this timely gift enabled Peter to cope with the extra very heavy work involved in cleaning up the mess. He was especially grateful. as he has been suffering badly from a kick on the knee by a bad-tempered Shetland Pony!

Now that he has the Tractor, Peter has been able to start cultivating the soil and has plans for the planting and rotation of new kinds of grasses for grazing paddocks.

We are pleased to report that our rehabilitation and re- homing systems have ‘been very successful and we have been able to adhere to our policy of never killing a healthy animal of good temperament and still avoid over-crowding the Refugio. Nan has had 50 puppies, 16 dogs, 10 cats and 17 kittens, all. in need of special care, through her house in Carvoeiro since April 1998, 32 of which have been re-homed directly, 20 of the puppies and kittens were dying of disease or exposure and had to be humanely destroyed by our Vets, the cats and 6 dogs are still with her and the remainder are now fit and healthy and at the Refugio awaiting new homes.

Peter with 3 puppies found in a lixo bin

Spot was adopted by an English couple who took him back to England where he won the Scrufts competition !

Peter has rescued and accepted 26 Donkeys and 110 dogs and puppies. At one point, there were 40 Donkeys at the Refugio, unfortunately 11 died as the result of their mis-treatment before they arrived at the Refugio and 4 of the "Senior Citizens" who where to frail to re-home died suddenly of hearth attacks. As for the others, we are grateful to "Krazy World" for taking 6 into their excellent care at the Petting Park where they will have a happy retirement. 11 more have been re-homed as pets and we have now 15 in care.

Many dogs are still being thrown over our fences and, as some of them have been very sick with Distemper, this has resulted in the infection and deaths of some of our puppies, which is a great tragedy as most of them had been rescued from some pretty horrible situations.

We would ask everyone reading this Newsletter to please think very hard of some way to help us to continue our work. We desperately need good homes for really lovely dogs and puppies, all vaccinated and healthy, adults are also neutered. If you are thinking of buying a dog, do ask your Veterinary Surgeon’s advice as so many people are wasting their money on sick,- badly-bred dogs and puppies from the Pet Shops and do also consider a visit to the Refugio! We do not sell our animals, but we do insist that they go to good, caring new owners.

One unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve was a fine Muscovy Drake, who arrived at 3 a.m. at Nan’s house in Carvoeiro much to the consternation of her dogs. He remained quite happily by the Pool but on Boxing Day flew off, we wonder what was his Fate!

We now look forward in 1999 to saving many more lives, and preventing many more unwanted puppies and kittens from being born, with our constant neutering of all animals passing through the Refugio.

Most of our supporters in the Algarve will have met John Pitelen who runs the Animal Charity Shop, Car Boot Sales, and many other events at the Quinta dos Areoes at Espiche, and will be sad to learn that he has suffered a Stroke, the severity of which is not yet known. We are sure that everyone will join with us in praying for his swift recovery and also for Doreen, his wife, who has now to take on his share of caring, not only for the shop and their own 15 dogs, but the many feral dogs and cats which he daily visited and fed. Get well soon, John!

With Best Wishes for 1999 from Nan, Peter and all at the Refugio.

PLEASE REMEMBER. ANIMALS NEED US EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.

Newsletter Autumn 1998 - The Donkey Sanctuary