Helping the Homeless feed their 4-legged friends

One such non-profit organisation, G.A.T.O - Grupo de Ajuda a Toxicodependentes, offers daily support to around 80 homeless people in the Loulé Municipality. They recently reached out with a request for help to provide regular food for 20 dogs and 15 cats living alongside their humans on the streets and in their reintegration shared housing projects. Homelessness is a complex issue, but sometimes pets can be a contributing reason why some remain living on the street, as there are not enough facilities and accommodations that will accept animals.

More often than not, dogs and cats are found abandoned and in a poor condition, showing signs of malnutrition, abuse and suffering from various injuries. Despite their own personal situations, necessary care is given, providing a strong bond of affection and companionship to the point that, as one owner says, “they complete his daily life”. These 4-legged companions are incredibly important, offering emotional support without judgement or rejection, encouraging interaction and contact with other people, providing warmth on a cold night, and giving a sense of personal security.

However, securing regular food donations has been hard.

Step in Canigoldra Associação - The Goldra Dog Sanctuary, who have pledged a monthly donation of three large bags of dog food and a bag of cat food to G.A.T.O. Jan Henderson says, “When Eve approached me for assistance, it was an easy yes! These animals could quite easily have been abandoned or left as strays; yes, some may live on the street, but they have human companions who care about them. Regular food and an appropriate diet will help support the health of these animals”.

For more information about the 2026 Winter Homeless Campaign or to donate dog/cat food, contact Eve: eacalgarve@gmail.com. To support Canigoldra Associação, contact jan@thegoldradogsanctuary.com, and to find out more about the work G.A.T.O undertakes, visit gato.org.pt.