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Welcome to Help Dogs Portugal
Dog Shelter & Animal Care Consultancy
Quinta da Ovelha Negra
Our Values
Compassion & Empathy
Our dog shelter Quinta da Ovelha Negra is home to 75 dogs with a daily need for care and love.
Dedication & Commitment
We are Fernanda and Carlos - a Portuguese couple in our 60s. Since COVID-19, we commit our time to improve the life of our "children".
Responsibility & Care
Our heart project requires constant support of volunteers and financial resources, e.g. from the online shop Hundeliebling.
About Help Dogs 🇵🇹
How Fernanda and Carlos' story began...
We have always held a deep affection for animals, and this bond led us to a pivotal moment in 2001. It was when we first entered the Montijo kennel to assist a sick cat. That experience opened our eyes to the distress of abandoned animals living in municipal shelters. Confronted with the choice to either ignore their suffering or step up to help, we chose to make a difference.
Since that day, we have been committed to rescuing abandoned animals, offering them a chance at a new life filled with care and dignity, which they were denied by their previous owners. Our lives have become inextricably linked with these animals, our beloved "pack." Almost all of our monthly income is now dedicated to their welfare.
Each new member of our family receives comprehensive medical care, vaccinations, microchipping, and sterilization to ensure they are healthy and safe. Currently, our family includes 75 animals, both dogs and cats, cared for under the banner of Associação Quinta da Ovelha Negra.
However, the financial challenge of caring for such a large number of animals is substantial. Often, the funds we set aside for our own needs are redirected to ensure the animals’ well-being. We have furry friends battling conditions like skin cancer and epilepsy, requiring daily medication, in addition to the continuous costs of vaccines, sterilizations, and daily nourishment. The difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified these challenges, leading to mounting veterinary bills that are beyond our current means.
We aspire to build more shelters and improve the existing ones, but these goals remain unattainable due to our limited resources.
This is where your support can make a real impact. Your contribution, in any form, can significantly improve the lives of these animals who have endured so much. It's about more than just providing shelter or food; it’s about offering these animals the love, care, and respect they deserve. With your support, we can ensure that Associação Quinta da Ovelha Negra remains a sanctuary for these forgotten souls.
Please consider joining us in our mission. Every bit of support brings us closer to a world where no animal has to endure abandonment or suffering.