Nandi News - February 2025

As it is my last newsletter as President...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my Nandi management and volunteer colleagues for their support in developing Nandi over the last two and a half years. It´s been a rollercoaster but I am confident that the new team and the new President will continue the ground work so that Nandi will develop and thrive …. and support so many sanctuaries, cat colonies and members of the community with vet care for their animals.

We are all particularly proud of our recent animal help figures - the innovations made and funds raised have paid dividends as the figures below demonstrate. Shop volunteers and management have put in many hours behind the scenes carrying out what sometimes seems a thankless task … and then we get the emotional thank you emails, phone calls and smiles from pet owners, sanctuary staff and cat feeders for the help that Nandi has been able to give to the sick and abandoned animals of the Algarve. It spurs us on.

And as we say….. Nandi : Helping animals of the Algarve is what we do; it is what we are here for - the animals cannot look after themselves.

Nandi AGM 2025

The Nandi AGM is the time when the Management Committee have a chance to inform all volunteers, donors and members about the progress made through the previous year and to showcase how the funds we have raised have been used…. as well as electing new officers.

All are welcome, refreshments provided - voting restricted to members and volunteers only. If you are neither volunteer nor member but would like to attend, please email us at events@nandicharity.com so we can accommodate numbers.

What we spent on animal help in 2024

Sandra Thompson, Head of Animal Help, writes:

In 2024, Nandi's commitment to allocating at least 75% of its funds directly to supporting animals has been clearly demonstrated. Nandi reached new heights in its mission to improve the lives of animals through sterilisation, treatment, and overall care.

In August 2024, we introduced a new application process, designed to make it easier for animal owners and partners (such as cat colonies) to access the support they need. Since the launch, Nandi has received 590 applications—415 from owners and 152 from partners and cat colonies. This new system has already shown promising results, simplifying the process, increasing the availability and reaching more animals in rural areas. In addition, we are now able to provide more information on how we are spending your donations.

We are proud of this development and look forward to further refining and enhancing this process to ensure that every application is handled swiftly and effectively.

During 2024 Nandi has continued to support our 11 partner sanctuaries, associations and organisations. We make monthly payments for the care, accommodation and feeding of animals with the total for this year’s donations exceeding €69,000.

Cat Feeding in 2024

Nandi has contributed more than €34,000 to support the feeding of around 500 cats. We collaborate with 11 independent cat feeding coordinators who manage the care of colonies across various locations, including Sagres, Burgau, Vila do Bispo, Salema, Meia Praia, Chinicato, and Odiaxere. Each month, funds are used to provide both dry and wet food for the cats, along with fresh water provided daily.

More thanks received:

Jo Puddle from the Buddy Legacy Charity, one of Nandi´s partners wrote:

´Thanks to NANDI for the kind donation when we were struggling.´

Femke, from Algarve Horse Alarm writes:

´You all do such and amazing job, thank you soooooo much´.

Focus on our partner charities: Tiny Shelter

The Tiny Shelter Association, led by Isabel Searle near Albufeira, operates as a donation-based animal shelter. Their mission is to provide care, neutering, and rehoming for as many rescued dogs as possible.

Isabel and her dedicated volunteers have been advocating for sustainable animal welfare for decades, tirelessly striving to improve the situation of animals in Portugal.

Although their efforts may sometimes seem small in the grand scheme of things,they firmly believe that consistent and dedicated work can make a significant impact over time. They are convinced that working directly on the ground is the most effective way to provide long-term assistance to these dogs.

Despite years of animal welfare work, there is still much to be done, as countless furry faces continue to find their way to the shelter, which relies solely on donations for funding.

The Tiny Shelter warmly welcomes anyone who wishes to contribute in any way possible to support Isabel and the dogs and bring some relief to their lives.

Tiny Shelter Albufeira — Abrigo e Bem-Estar dos cães Algarve

www.tinyshelter.pt

Dog Therapy project by Coach Bartosz

At Tiny Shelter, we are developing a programme for kindergartens and schools that involves dog therapy sessions. Through these sessions, we aim to educate children about safety around dogs, help them overcome fear, and cultivate attentiveness towards dogs. Additionally, we will discuss animal needs to increase sensitivity and awareness among the children.

Dog therapy is effective because it helps the brain enter a relaxed state,which is essential for improving learning, changing behaviours, and forming new patterns. The presence of a dog and engaging in play can significantly facilitate achieving this relaxed state of mind.

Dog walking sessions:

Why not spread happiness to a shelter dog while enjoying a walk? Many people love walking, and many people love dogs, so why not do both at the same time? Send a message to our Facebook page if you are interested in joining the fun!

From Tiny Shelter to Nandi

Dear Helen and Nandi volunteers,

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope for us and the countless animals we care for. Unfortunately, the struggles we face have never been more daunting. We are witnessing a heartbreaking trend of abandonment and neglect, where empathy, compassion, and respect for animals seem to be diminishing.

Every month, we grapple with the challenges of keeping the shelter afloat, and it is only through the kindness and generosity of good-hearted individuals like you that we can continue this important work. We find ourselves in a constant battle between light and darkness, fighting to protect the vulnerable animals who depend on us for care and love. This includes not just our dogs and puppies, but also cats, horses, and donkeys who find solace in our shelter.

Just the other day, we took in a group of abandoned puppies who were left to fend for themselves. Their tiny faces told a story of survival, and it is our mission to ensure they find loving homes. Our hearts ache for the many animals that come through our doors daily, especially dogs who have faced unimaginable hardships yet still manage to show us love and hope.

The reality is, we desperately need adopters! Every single day, we witness new faces arriving at our shelter—puppies and dogs who simply want a chance at abetter life. In addition to this, we are in urgent need of volunteers. It is a struggle for the few of us to manage so many dogs, and we could use all hands on deck to provide them with the care they need.

We sacrifice so much to run this shelter, but there are simply not enough of us to handle the overwhelming number of animals needing help. We ask you to consider if there’s any way you can assist, whether through volunteering your time or spreading the word about our adoption efforts.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us through these tough times. Together, we can make a difference for these animals and restore the compassion and respect they so desperately deserve.

Nandi Needs You - Join Our Volunteer Team!

At Nandi, we rely on the incredible dedication of our volunteers to make a difference. Right now, we’re looking for passionate individuals to support us, not just in our shops, but also behind the scenes.

Do you have skills in digital, marketing, social media, content creation, or other areas of expertise?

Whether you’re looking to help on the shop floor or contribute from behind the scenes, we’d love to have you on board. Every hour you give makes a difference!

Get in touch today at admin@nandicharity.com to find out how you can help.

Please become a Nandi member!

Have you got 20 euros to donate to the care of sick and abandoned animals?

Would you like the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the very many mistreated and abused animals? If you don’t volunteer for us or cannot, why not become a member?

Nandi is a not-for-profit organisation where no one is paid but the funds raised by our volunteers on our events and in our shops go to the abandoned and sick dogs, cats, donkeys and horses.

For the annual fee of 20 euros (just 1.66 euros a month) you can become a member, assuring Nandi’s continued service to the animal and local communities. This allows you to attend the Annual General Meeting usually held in February in Lagos, Portugal. You will also receive an annual report prior to the AGM telling you how we performed over the past 12 months and our proposals for the following year. You’ll continue to receive our monthly newsletter as well as getting prior notice of any events we may be holding...and of course, your say in the voting at the AGM.

Best of all, you will know that your donation for membership is making the difference to an animal´s life.

To apply for membership please complete and submit a Annual Membership Application Form via the link below or alternatively you can email info@nandicharity.com for more information.