APAA – Associação de Protecção Animal do Algarve

APAA, the Associação de Protecção Animal do Algarve, is an animal charity founded in 1994 and based in Alvor. It began as a rescue and rehoming operation, finding new homes for hundreds of dogs and cats in Portugal and abroad, including the UK, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The charity's rescue centre closed in 2008 when the land it stood on was sold and no suitable alternative site could be found. Since then APAA has focused on funding veterinary care rather than running a shelter. It helps owners with limited means pay for sterilisation and castration, and contributes to emergency and urgent treatment and operations that owners could not otherwise afford. As a voluntary organisation, it receives no government funding and depends on public donations and its two charity shops for income. The charity shops are at Rua Elias Garcia 20 in Silves, open 10:00 to 14:00 Monday to Saturday, and at Edifício Dunas de Alvor, Loja 25, Caminho da Barca in Alvor, open 10:30 to 14:00 Tuesday to Saturday. Both sell donated goods to raise funds and accept donations of used items for resale. Residents can support APAA by donating directly by bank transfer, shopping or donating goods at either charity shop, becoming a member, or volunteering. Full donation details and bank account information are published on the charity's website.