The Background:
In 2020 my husband and I started visiting some of the many animal shelters in the Algarve looking for a dog to adopt. We felt overwhelmed by the huge amount of animals. Each of the dogs we met deserved a forever home but we could only help one. This was not a pain free decision. In 2021, re thinking the situation, we decided to adopt a second dog and we noticed that many of the dogs we had seen the previous year still had not found a home. We learned that this is for the simple reason that the amount of dogs are hopelessly outnumbering the available adopters. Sadly, a large number of beautiful dogs will end their life in a shelter after years of waiting for that somebody who would fall in love with them.
Since then the situation got even worst with many abandoned puppies adding to the problem. Every week dog shelters have to take in unwanted litters, dumped in the countryside or thrown in plastic bags in or near rubbish bins on the roadside. This adds extra pressure to the already stretched limits of the shelters which are run by volunteers who give their time, energy and money to help animals let down by fellow citizens.
To care for these puppies is a challenging and exhausting task for the volunteers and the older dogs in the shelters pay the price. With the never ending stream of cute puppies in need of homes, these older dogs are even more unlikely to be adopted.
I wanted to do something to help and, as a result, the idea for the project was born.
The concept
My project to help dogs in need was launched in October 2021. The original idea was to use my paintings for one whole year to raise donations. Thanks to art lovers, charity supporters and dog lovers the project was a real success, and the result truly exceeded my expectations. I felt humbled and grateful to everybody who supported me and continued to use my art to help dogs in need for another two years. During these 3 years of “art to help dogs in need” I spent many days painting in my art studio and as a result, the project has helped to sterilised so far more than 40 dogs, paid for a delivery of dog food and veterinary treatment for several other dogs.
I would like to continue with my work and bring it to the next level. But to do so, I must start to use some of the money raised from the paintings to reinvest in my project.
As started already in 2023, every month I dedicate at least one of my paintings to raise a donation for my chosen charities. I publish these paintings at my Facebook page www.facebook.com/art.to.help.dogs and ask to donate the money directly to one of the charities I work with. As a thank you for your donation, I will send you the painting as a gift and I will provide you with the information on how your donation helped a dog. 100% of your donation amount will be available to the charity.
I also have three paintings on permanent display in the foyer of the Real Marina Hotel and Spa in Olhão, which I periodically change. The hotel kindly offered me the space free of charge, so that 100% of your donation amount will be available to the charity.
From the proceeds of any other paintings on my website, or shown in any art exhibitions, I will donate a percentage to my chosen charities.
The Details
Of course, I am happy to send you more photos and any other information you would require deciding if one of my paintings is the right artwork for your home or a meaningful present to someone dear to you.
If you are visiting or living in the Algarve, I would suggest arranging a private viewing of the original.
If you would like to purchase one of the “Paintings of the Month”, I will send you the payment details for the charity and most importantly, I will give you a reference for your payment. When I receive the confirmation that your donation has arrived with the charity, I will hand over the painting to you, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. This process can take a few days, as these charities are very busy.
Talking to the charities to set up this project made me realise how much of an inspiration and moral support my project gives to the volunteers who sometimes feel overwhelmed and as forgotten as the dogs they rescue and care for.
Whilst I on my own would create a conventional painting only, you would give the art a much deeper meaning and make it a truly unique philanthropist art object. Together we could take art to another level and add another dimension to the art piece.
The charities
For 2024 I continue supporting
StreetLife Animal Sterilisation Programme
StreetLife (registered charity number 515 892 750) is a charity with the sole aim to sterilise dogs in the Eastern Algarve. Since launching in 2017, StreetLife has sterilised more than 800 dogs, preventing the suffering of many thousands of dogs. As each female dog can give birth to dozens of puppies in their lifetime, every single sterilisation is one step in the right direction. The most effective way to reduce animal suffering is to reduce the number of unwanted puppies been born.
If you wish to help preventing newborn puppies suffering and dying in the Algarve, this is the charity for you. For more information, please have a look at StreetLife’s website www.streetlife.pt or on their Facebook page.
Benafim Dogs Rescue
This small privately run dog shelter is located in Benafim in the central Algarve. The team of Benafim Dogs Rescue are an absolute inspiration and do a wonderful job caring and socialising the dogs. One really can feel the love they give to the dogs. If you are looking to adopt a dog, please consider a visit to Benafim. For more information about this dog rescue shelter please check out their Facebook page.
Donations will be paid directly to their vet to help towards the treatments of the dogs or used to purchase dog food.
A final thought
If you prefer to support a particular dog charity which is very close to your heart or find it difficult to decide who you want to give your donation to because all charity work is equally important and deserves our help, please contact me and we will talk about a solution which feels right to you!
I can create the art – you can give it a meaning.
Together we can take art to another level and inspire others.
The charities
For 2023 I would very much like to continue supporting
So far these females were sterilised thanks to people who decided to support the project.
Buzz suffers from a range of allergies. Several donations helped Benafim dogs to pay his very high vet bills. Buzz lives now with a foster family in an environment, better suited for his medical needs. His treatments are ongoing.
Several donations helped Cookie to undergo medical treatments for his various health problems. Cookie’s recovery took many month. He was adopted in 2024 and thanks to the dedication of Benafim dogs, he can enjoy a happy life in a loving home now.
One donation payed for a delivery of dog food
One donation helped to pay towards little Walters vet bills. He suffered a stroke after a major surgery and is now recovering in his forever home.
Under the care of his adopter Walter is making progress.
two other donations helped Tiny Shelter Albufeira building their new dog shelter