Welcome to the home of DPDSAA
Charity Registration Number 1141880
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Dispencario Portugese De Saude As Animals
We thank you for your interest in our charity. All your support and donations help towards reducing the suffering of cats, dogs and other domestic animals in Portugal.
If you have a question about our charity or regarding making a donation, then please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
"Dispensário Português de Saúde as Animais" translates to "Portuguese Health Dispensary for Animals" in English.
The term "Dispensário" refers to a dispensary, which is a place where medicines and medical supplies are dispensed. "Saúde" translates to health; therefore, our original (1990) intent was to establish a physical site providing welfare clinic/services for local animals.
This desire has been overtaken during intervening years by a combination of many EU Directives, a multitude of both public and private animal welfare ‘Associations’ subsequently being established, plus increasing restrictions for involvement of overseas professional Veterinary services.
EU law has more recently enforced establishment of Portuguese laws for registration, chipping & ownership of dogs, whilst allowing the many feral/street cat colonies to continue existing.
Our main current DPDSAA commitment is to support local Associations in conducting urgently needed TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) of many ‘out of control’ feral cat populations, plus encourage/assist local owners to sterilise the ‘owned’ canine population.
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Our Charity was originally set up by Nina, an elderly English lady, who lived in Monte Gordo on the Algarve. Her intention was to use her villa as a refuge for sick and stray cats.
We’ve provided links to a number of Algarve welfare associations, some of which we have previously supported and others via local recommendation.
Learn about who DPDSAA are and the role that they play with regards to animal welfare in Portugal.
Get in touch with us via our contact form or via email.
Value of grants awarded in the past decade.
Recent 2025 commitments include :
€119,000 to SOS-AA Association Joint-Venture
€40,000 to ARA 'Vila dos Gatos' project,
€43,200 to StreetLife Association Joint-Venture
Current number of funded Sterilisations @ Nov'25
These recorded statistics relate solely to 2025, after new-style consolidation commenced.
Roughly 300+ Sterilisations previously undertaken.
Number of Grants awarded to Portuguese Associations & Entities @ Nov'25
Numerous Current & historic projects within DPDSAA/PDDSAA timeline.
Funded misc Municipal & Association Infrastructure Projects
Several current & historic projects within DPDSAA/PDDSAA timeline.
“ The Nina Pearson Trust(DPDSAA) has continued to be very supportive through the local trustee. [Their donation] Much appreciated by all concerned and particularly the animals! ”