Official Bianca Association Newsletter | Year III
FEBRUARY’ 2012
Featured Animal
REGINNA see page 4
Help us to help!
Call 760 20 70 60 (0.60€ + vat)
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
EDITORIAL February has ended and once again the number of abandoned animals exceeded the number of adopted ones. We even had the devolution of Miko… But the team at Bianca does not stop and the work continues inside and outside the shelter. One of our goals is the development of social education initiatives and this month, in cooperation of the City Council of Sesimbra, we held a workshop about animal communication. Know more inside this edition. The socialization of our animals, with the perspective of improving the chances of adoption, is something we consider to be extremely important, and so we started the socialization of two more animals: Lucky and Gabriela. Some of our dogs live at the shelter for so long now, and still haven’t found a home. For these animals we reserve the “Special Adoption” section. This month the star is Ulisses. Read it and get to know him a little better. One of the dogs we found this month is Reginna, a sweet female dog with puppies. Learn more about her story at the “Featured Animal” section. Do not miss the tip of the month, the interview with the new volunteer Mirjam and the featured item for sale on the volunteers’ blog. Good reading!
NEWS of the MONTH Wo r k s h o p o f A n i m a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n On February 17th Bianca held a workshop about “Animal Communication”, which took place at the installations of the City Council of Sesimbra. The event was directed to Bianca’s volunteers and to the City Council employees that work directly with animals. The goal of the workshop was to present the basic principles of animal communication, how to approach and how to interpret the signs of calm demonstrated by animals, the most common mistakes, etc. Those who love animals had a chance to better understand them. Ricardo Viegas was the trainer and responsible for the program of this successful workshop.
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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WE WERE ABANDONED... Bianca was formed almost 10 years ago and (unfortunately) we know by heart all the excuses people come up with to give their animals: health problems, job transfers, new houses, divorces, etc. But in fact, for those who love animals, there is no reason in the world that could lead them to abandon their animal. Our shelter is not the perfect home for any animal. We bring them to the shelter (hopefully) temporarily, give them a safe place to heal and be cared for, while trying to promote a responsible adoption for each and every animal. A responsible adoption because, if someone lacks the conditions to adopt, they shouldn’t do it. The animal may become stressed, psychologically damaged and his future life may be impaired. If you want to join our cause, you may visit us on Saturdays and ďŹ nd out more about us and our work. All help is welcome. If you can and want to adopt, please send an email to sesimbra.bianca@gmail.com. If you cannot adopt but want to help, know that you may sponsor. This way you will be providing an extra welfare to an animal. Know more at http://bianca.pt/english or send us an email .
Morgan
Reginna
Axel
Che
Ciara
Blacky
Cuca
Estrelinha
Millie
Grifo
Melissa
Miko
Micky
Lula
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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WE WERE ABANDONED... Mica
Mimmi
Marcy
Marlo
Mabel
Madina
Mista
Morax Taiti
Osti - Olaf
Roni
Takila Talla
Diva
Gema
Katys
TIPS In the winter, because of the cold and rainy weather, most street cats seek refuge over the tires or near cars’ motors, to protect themselves. It only takes a minute to check your car. Look over the tires and clap over the engine’s bonnet before your start any journey. Please share this message. It is important to advertise this issue. http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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FEATURED ANIMAL COVER ISSUE REGINNA Reginna is one of the many abandoned female dogs. And the worst part is that, because they are not spayed, these dogs have, for sure, lots of puppies on the streets. They can have as much as much as two litters each year, which turns in to dozens of abandoned puppies. The females will also breed and, in less than 2 or 3 years, they will be large packs that wander through the hills, pinewoods, villages, industrial centers, beaches, roads, and no one remembers how it started. . . “once upon a time there was a dog so afraid of everything that was never caught. . .” Reginna was found at Quinta do Conde, on an open field, where she built a burrow to shelter her puppies. Fortunately she is not afraid of people and is very fond of humans. She is an excellent and very tender mother, who also loves our caress. Reginna was lucky but how many dogs are not? Hundreds, thousands!!
Reginna at our shelter.
SPECIAL ADOPTIONS ULISSES Ulisses is the oldest dog at our shelter. He’s over 12 years of age and has lived all his life on the streets, at Lagoa de Albufeira, where lots of dogs are abandoned each year. Since age is a statute, Ulisses has his habits and a good dose of grumpiness. But who doesn’t, right? He does not always get along with other dogs and needs time to gain confidence. But afterwards he lets people near him and loves to be petted and walked. Despite being a senior dog, Ulisses is quite healthy and only has to take his heart medicines. Ulisses deserves a home to rest and relax till the end of his life. Adopt him!
Ulisses at our shelter, January 2012.
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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I’M A VOLUNTEER Ms. Mirjam I am Mirjam, born in The Netherlands and now living in Rome, Italy. I wanted to escape from my busy life in Italy, and found Bianca Association via a dutch website. I grew up with dogs, and worked in a dog kennel, so this is why the idea was born: working in an animal shelter, where the animals just want your love and attention. And combined with this idea I could also learn portuguese, which is helpful for my job. I think Bianca is an excellent organization in all senses. At the shelter itself everything is well organized, the cleaning, all the animals get their food, water, medicines, and vet visits on time via precise schedules and the staff works hard with all their passion and love. But also and above all, that there are 3 leading ladies who give their lives (next to their day-to-day life) day and night to help the abandoned and badly treated animals. They make a whole set up of this organization: a great shelter, the website, a monthly newsletter, fund raising ideas etc. . I don’t have any episode to share yet. I'm here for just 10 days and I’m still overwhelmed by everything. Though I can say that I'm having a great time here and the love of the animals is absolutely fantastic. As far as I know, in The Netherlands the animals are most of the time treated as family members. In Italy dogs are also kept in the families, often not in the houses though. About the abandoned animals there I don't have an idea, though for sure it's not as bad as here in Portugal. I take a lot of good memories: the dogs are immensely sweet, the staff is very helpful to me and patient, the leading ladies are treating me as their friend, the nature is beautiful, calm and peaceful. I feel like I'm in a retreat. I really don't understand how people can be so irresponsible towards animals. People that have no respect for their animals, have no respect for themselves. Taking and having an animal needs time, patience, being consequent, loving them, the will to educate them well. But also there is the fun and pleasure of having a new family member. Above all, teaching your children how to get along with an animal, is the only way to teach them how to live in a better world. Think well before you choose to have an animal, but once you decided, you will never regret. Again, in the beginning it takes lots of effort (as with everything) but once you both are used to each other, you have a friend for life.
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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I FOUND A HOME. . . It is always a great joy to see an animal being adopted. An adoption should always be a conscientious, well though and voluntary act. And that is why at Bianca all adoptions are carefully considered. This way we try to assure that the animals are in good hands, that they will have a family for their entire lifes and will be loved, cherished and respected as a member of the family that feels, reacts and suffers like all of us. And even with all this some animals are still returned. Remember, if you cannot adopt there are other possibilities for you, like sponsoring. In this case, you are actually helping without taking the animal into your home. You may walk your sponsored animal, take him to the vet, etc. They thank that! Go to http://bianca.pt/english or send an email to sesimbra.bianca@gmail.com and find out more about it. If you send us photos we will publish them on our website and social networks. Contact us by e-mail for the address sesimbra.bianca@gmail.com!
Boris
Matias
Príncipe
Lavanda
Ruby
Micky Kopel
Pocahontas
Luna
Millie
Irina
Blacky
Lava
http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
Samurai
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I FOUND A HOME. . . Mica
Dallas Selina
Lunna
Stella
Nicole
Kopel
Simone Sibele
Beny
Isabelly
Sisko
Salindra Stanly
Sumatra
Sitandra
EVENTS
FOOD COLLECT
Last January Bianca held a successful food collection campaign at Jumbo de Alfragide, in the Allegro Shopping Center. In February Bianca was again invited by the board of this supermarket for another Food Collection Campaign that will be held in the 3rd and 4th of March. All the help is necessary and welcome so that we can feed daily the more than 250 animals we have at our care. Even if you cannot give very much, if everyone gives a little, we will be able to add up to a big help, and our animals thank that. Show up and make your contribution. http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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MAKING ANIMALS HAPPY F E AT U R E D P R O D U C T This month we call your attention for the teapot coating, for sale on the volunteers’ blog. This coating keeps the tea or coffee warm, helping you to fight this harsh winter and cold nights we have been feeling. See other items and utilities at the blog and know that by buying you are directly and actively helping our Association. And good shopping!
http://fazendoanimaisfelizes.blogspot.com
IN MEMORY OF. . . TA L O Talo was abandoned near our shelter during a Sunday. He was a young, sociable dog, apparently healthy and with only 2 years of age. Nevertheless, after a short period of stay at the shelter Talo started to languish, losing a lot of weight and eventually had to be hospitalized. He stayed at the hospital for 2 months and unfortunately never recovered and finally died. Rest in peace sweet Talo.
BELAMY
When Belamy arrived at the shelter she presented a very degraded condition. She was very thin and sick. After a while at the vet she returned to the shelter where she finished her treatment, and where she was happy and loved. Unfortunately and without warning she started developing skin blisters that were later identified as being a type of skin cancer. Although she was always happy and cheerful, the blisters started growing in size and number, and Belamy had to be hospitalized and eventually died. http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com
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