AEZA Dog Charity: Giving Abandoned Dogs in Portugal a Second Chance
- Sep 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Every dog deserves a chance at a loving home
In a quiet corner of Aljezur, Portugal, a group of people are fighting for lives most others have given up on. AEZA, Associação Ecologista Zoófila de Aljezur, is a dog charity in Portugal that rescues abandoned, neglected, and abused animals and gives them what they’ve been denied: safety, love, and a second chance.
“Sometimes we don’t know their backstory at all,” says Kerry Heyworth, Vice President of AEZA. “A dog is just left in our reception kennel. No name, no note, no vaccination book. Nothing. For those dogs, their story starts again — fresh, and better — with us.”
Stories That Stay with You
Every dog at AEZA is a survivor. There is Yuno, who flinches when voices rise, scarred by a lifetime of being yelled at. And Zuni, who trembles at human touch. Fuscas has learned to bite because being hit was all he knew. Goto, once part of a hunting pack, collapsed in terror every time a lead was clipped on — it took weeks to teach him that walks could mean joy. And Carocho, abandoned with his companion Beethoven, grieved so deeply when Beethoven died that he ran away, hiding for a week before quietly returning to the shelter gate. Every story is different, but all are marked by resilience — and the hope of a better future.
When Recovery Feels Like a Miracle
Some dogs arrive at the shelter barely alive. Against the odds, they not only survive but begin to thrive. Belle lived on a one-metre chain, battling leishmaniasis and multiple tick-borne diseases. The vet doubted she would make it. Today, she is strong, thriving, and ready for her forever home. Morocho was found so emaciated that every bone showed. With care, he gained 10kg and is now unrecognisable. Asho, just three months old and crawling with ticks, weighed under 10kg. A month later, he had doubled in size – a happy, bouncing puppy. “These are the ones who keep us going,” Kerry admits. “When you see them turn around, you know the fight is worth it.”
When Love Sneaks Up on You
Some dogs spend years in the shelter, waiting to find a new home. They might not be the easiest to take on, but their characters are loving and unforgettable. Lou-Lou (Luis), found in a plastic bag as a days-old puppy, survived when two of his siblings did not. At three years old, he’s loving, funny, and playful once trust is built. But he guards resources fiercely and must live as an only dog. “He needs someone really special,” Kerry says.
Avelá, given to a young girl as a puppy, grew larger than expected. Left alone in an apartment, she developed behavioural issues and was surrendered. Now five, she adores her people but must be muzzled around strangers. “They’re not the simple adoptions,” Kerry says. “But the right person will see how extraordinary they are.”
Even the volunteers aren’t immune to falling in love. “One of our walkers swore he’d only ever have his little dog Poppy,” Kerry recalls. “Then along came Sola. She stole his heart. Now he has two dogs.”
The People Behind the Shelter
AEZA survives thanks to a handful of dedicated people, including Armando Frade, President, Jane Blum, who oversees the cat programme, and a network of trustees and volunteers who walk dogs, clean kennels, pick up strays, and sit with shy dogs until they learn to trust again.
The emotional toll is real. “We keep our successes in mind and put our failures behind us,” Kerry says. “Otherwise, we couldn’t keep helping the next one who arrives.”
From Portugal to Germany — Finding Homes
Around half of AEZA’s dogs are adopted locally, often by expats. The other half travel to Germany through three trusted partners.
And the best part of finding dogs new homes? “Seeing the videos and photos we receive — the dogs happy, safe, and loved. That’s everything.”
Looking Ahead: The Dream for AEZA
If money weren’t an issue, AEZA’s biggest dream is simple: a new shelter. But the long-term vision is even bigger — outreach and education to reduce abandonment through sterilisation.
“Sterilisation is the only way to make progress,” Kerry explains. “We have to dispel the myths that it makes dogs weak, or that it makes their owners less macho. We hope in five years we’ll still be doing this work — but less of it, because the need will be smaller.”
How You Can Help – Wherever You Are
Even if you’re not in Portugal, you can make a difference:
Share AEZA’s dogs and cats online to help find homes.
Sponsor a dog or cat in their care.
Partner with AEZA as a brand, rescue organisation, or international foster network.
And yes, donations are always needed – for food, medicine, traps, crates, and vet bills.
Over the years, many adopters have become volunteers, and many volunteers have become adopters. That cycle of love keeps the shelter alive.
Join the Walksfar Step Challenge
This winter, the Walksfar Dogwalking team will be taking on a huge challenge: walking 1 million steps (around 500 miles) in just one month to raise funds for AEZA.
The goal?
🐾 Support the shelter directly — covering medical care, food, and shelter improvements.
🎥 Fund the production of a documentary (filming May 2026) that will shine a spotlight on AEZA’s life-saving work.
When: November/December 2025
Target: 1 million steps combined
Fundraising Goal: £4,000+
Even a small donation makes a difference:
£10 = Dog food for a week
£25 = Vaccinations for a puppy
£50 = Transport for a rescue dog to its forever home
£100 = Medical treatment for an injured stray
“Our dogs are wonderful,” Kerry says. “Every single one deserves a chance at a loving home.”
