Jardim da Aryel hopes for a small miracle: Lagoa animal charity in urgent need of support

Envision a bare plot of agricultural land on the outskirts of Porches, surrounded by citrus groves and olive trees. In one corner a small brick-and-mortar shed, formerly housing farming equipment, joined nowadays by a scattering of wooden garden houses of different make and age. Inside, each of these buildings could be the hideaway of some quirky individual or eccentric artist, furnished with easy chairs and sofas, small tables, cabinets and shelves. Carpets and blankets cover the floor, pictures decorate the walls. And there are cushions, lots of cushions.

However, we are not greeted by some offbeat personality with a slightly eclectic taste. The residents here, instead, are cats, eying the unexpected visitor with relaxed curiosity. Slinky grey-striped tigers and dignified orange tabbies, common-place mongrels along with exotic dignitaries, all obviously at ease with each other. Maybe they sense that they share a difficult life, the loss of human companions, serious illnesses or other circumstances ranging from unfortunate to dramatic. For sure, things have turned much to the better for them. Little do they know, however, that dark clouds are looming on the horizon.

Irene Nunes is a woman with a big heart, her eyes both gentle and determined. In her other life, Irene is a nursery school teacher. But early in the morning and in the afternoons, you find her here at the garden she named in honour of her first paraplegic cat. Seven days a week, 365 days a year. With the help of fellow animal lovers, she has grown her personal initiative into a registered charity working in cooperation with the local city council.

Beyond the garden, some 60 feeding stations scattered around the greater Lagoa area are a vital part of the initiative. This is where stray cats can find a regular meal if they so choose, where volunteers see to it that urgent medical needs are met and proper sterilization keeps the population within reasonable limits.

City funding covers the lion’s share of veterinary and medical bills, but other necessary purchases rely on the generous support of a slowly but steadily growing community of donors. Feeding the 200 cats, a dozen dogs and three goats currently at residence here alone can take up to €1,000 a month. Proceeds from the initiative’s small store in Parchal help to pay bills while the generosity of friends helps turn this shelter into a home for animals in need. Administrative overhead? Zero.

Under normal circumstances, caring for animals is not so much a matter of money. Care relies mostly on the dedication of a small group of members and volunteers. “Helping animals in need is a labour of love”, Irene says. “Ultimately, we are supporting our companions. Cats and dogs do not choose to roam the streets in search of food and shelter. It is intensely gratifying when we manage to re-integrate a lost animal into its normal life.”

But these are not normal circumstances for the Jardim da Aryel. Until now, the initiative has been allowed to use the land at no cost, a generosity much appreciated. But the owners are going to move, selling the property by year-end. While the price being asked is very generous, raising €75,000 requires nothing short of a little miracle of this small charity operation.

Irene and the volunteers at Jardim da Aryel are not discouraged easily, seeing the need for change instead as an opportunity. Says Irene: “We are given the chance to purchase this land, to continue securing a future for the animals – as volunteers, as visitors and as a community of friends holding this garden and its purpose dear to our hearts. She is confident that miracles do happen, that great challenges can be overcome one little step at a time.”

Everyone able to help can do so directly using the initiative’s bank details:

Assoçiaçao de Protecção Animal de Lagoa

Caixa Geral de Deposito

IBAN: PT50 0045 7060 4031 9808 33028

In addition, the team has set up a GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/fadsyy-urgent-high-risk-of-permanent-closure? where a few very generous individuals could also make a miracle happen - but even the most humble donation is very welcome. And finally, the initiative’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064825599687 offers a steady stream of insights and further opportunities to contribute. To give something back. And, ultimately, to share in a success worth fighting for.