newsletteraugust2012

Help us to help!Call 760 20 70 60

(0.60€ + vat)

AUGUST’ 2012

Help us to help!Call 760 20 70 60

(0.60€ + vat)

Official Bianca Association Newsletter | Year III

http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com

PEPEFeatured Animal

1

EDITORIAL

Summer is always a time when lots of animals are

abandoned in Portugal, and Sesimbra is no exception. Even

when we see some of our animals being adopted and think

that we may reduce a little bit the number of animals at the

shelter, new and urgent cases arise, ones we have to attend.

Only a few newsletters ago we referred to the 250 animals

we had at the shelter, and now we exceeded the 300

animals. August was like this!

In August, besides the many other dogs and cats you may

see at the “We were abandoned” section, Pepe and Gilda

arrived at the shelter.

Pepe is a sweet and needy blind dog that was abandoned tied up to a tree. Pepe needs a

temporary family, or one that wants to adopt him for life. Learn more about him at the

“Featured Animal” section.

Gilda is a Siberian Husky female dog that was abandoned in a pitiful state. She is very sick

with leishmaniasis. It has been a while since we had an animal in need of intensive

treatment for this condition. Gilda has to take daily injectable medication. The blood

tests showed that her kidneys and liver were working properly so we are hopeful of her

recovery. But the costs are heavy and all the help is welcome.

This month we also have new tips on how you may travel safely with your pet and new

items for sale at the volunteers’ blog.

In this newsletter we also have a new section called “Before and After” so you may see the

evolution of some of the animals we found in pitiful conditions. It is just a way to show

how love and dedication saves not only the body but also the souls of our beloved animals.

Read more inside this edition.

Help us to help them!


MAKING ANIMALS HAPPY

This month we selected the antique iron of size big

and with a grid inside. The upper lid has a forged iron

rooster. The whole piece is in an excellent condition.

See other items and utilities at the blog and know that

by buying something you are directly and actively

helping Association Bianca.

http://fazendoanimaisfelizes.blogspot.com

2

Daisy

Josh

Elia

Tiana

Isis Julietta

GildaCinza Simba

Feliz

Ju

Stephanie

WE WERE ABANDONED.. .


Bianca was formed 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 animals.

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

find out more about us and our work. All help is welcome.

If you can and want to adopt, please send an email to

[email protected].

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.

3

MagieLoaMinou

Bela SalliPepe

Pirata

Dani

WE WERE ABANDONED.. .


She arrived to us in a terrible condition. She had obviously been

used as a breeding dog for a very long time. She was very skinny,

debilitated and she was not a young dog anymore. With time she

gained some weight and was happy at the shelter, loving the

people who took care of her. In the last few months she

developed epilepsy and was being medicated. But in her last week

of life she suffered repeated seizures and despite of the

increased medication dose she did not improve. She “rested” at

the vet, because it was the best for her and there was nothing else

we could do.

Our dear Juju rests now and knows she was loved very much.

J U J U

IN MEMORY OF. . .

4

A blind dog only needs some extra attention to

be guided, and nothing else!

Pepe is a needy, loving dog, that only wants to

be on our lap. He only barks when asking for our

attention.

At the shelter, with so many other dogs to take

care of, it is hard to give Pepe all the attention

he needs and deserves, so the ideal was for him

to be at a FAT while waiting for a forever loving

family to adopt him. We remind that FATs have

no expenses whatsoever.

FEATURED ANIMAL

SPECIAL ADOPTIONS

COVER ISSUE

P E P E

Lotta at our shelter.

L O T T A


Pepe in our shelter

Lotta arrived at Bianca in September of

2008, after being caught by the city council

services, and she has been with us ever

since. She is a calm, quiet female dog that

goes unnoticed most of the time. She is so

very sweet running towards us everytime

she sees us. No one sees how sweet she is

with humans and other dogs.

We hope that one day she may have the

chance to live in a home, surrounded by a

family that loves her.

Lotta is an adult dog, perfectly healthy that

may live for many years, happy and loved

like she deserves.

Adopt her and have a friend for life!

He was tied to a tree! That is how

Pepe was “discarded”. He is a very

sweet small dog, that had the

misfortune of being at the hands

of owners that thought that a

blind dog didn’t suit them.

You can adopt Pepe and gain a forever best friend!

5

I’M VOLUNTEER

P a u l a

My name is Paula Gomes, I’m 45 years old, I

live in Sesimbra and I have a pet cat named

Tomás. After having worked in insurance

business almost my entire life, now I’m

unimployed.

I have always loved animals, but only had cats

and a canary as an adult.

After meeting Bianca through a friend and the

internet, I started my collaboration with this

associations last summer, first as a temporary

experience but soon after on a daily basis.

I can say that this was practically my first

contact with dogs, but they conquered me very

easily. It is in fact an addiction, I miss them

when I’m a few days without going to Bianca.

The way animals repay our tiny gestures, the smallest attentions, is very gratifying. They

do not criticize or judge us, they don’t care about our social status. As long as we give them

affection and care they will love us genuinely, which is something we can not say about

some people.

There are many animals that bond to us in a special way, but Litos touched me the most.

When he arrived at Bianca he was in a terrible state. Even when he returned from the vet I

thought he would not resist. He was hairless and every morning when we arrived at the

shelter had had big cuts on his dry skin that bled intensely. We were determined to recover

him no matter what, and he was determined to accept all the treatments, injections and

baths without any complaint. He let us take care of him always repaying with a lick on our

face. And today Litos seems a different dog. It is a pleasure to see how he has recovered and

how he repays us everytime we pass by him, always calling for another caress.

The greatest pleasure I have at Bianca is upon my daily arrival. The dogs run to the fence

and jump around me disputing for the attention and caress, showing that I’m welcome. I

feel like I’m contributing in a way for the lack of owner and home of these animals. It is

good to see them getting adopted and gaining a family. I feel a bit sad because I will not see

them again but it is great to see they will be having someone to give them everything that

was stolen from them.

My family was surprised with my connection with Bianca, since I never had a dog as a pet,

but they really appreciated and supported me because they also love animals. As a result,

my son also started to volunteer at Bianca.

Animals in Portugal still pass through difficult situations. People still want to have pets

but only when they are young, they forget animals grow or may get sick, and then dispose

them in the most cruel ways. It is imperative to change mentalities and for that to happen

we have to start with the children at school, so they may learn to respect other helpless

beings. It would be nice if the shelters were no longer necessary to protect and recover

stray animals, and if they all could have a home where they were special.

I wish that each one of us may do our part in minimizing the damages that are inflicted to

these beings. Do not remain quiet when you watch a less correct attitude towards an

animal. Someone who does not treat animals correctly will never know how to treat a

fellow human with dignity.


6http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com

TIPS

If you ever thought about travelling

abroad with your pet know that it is

possible to do it in a safe way, just by

following some simple rules.

Before planning your trip you must inform

yourself at the embassy of the country of

destination about the legal requirements

needed for your pet to be allowed in that

country. In most cases the animal must

have a proper passport, which you may

request at your vet, microchip,

vaccinations and dewormings. Normally

the anti rabies vaccination is the only

mandatory but you must always confirm in

advance since some countries require

specific tests for tracking other contagious

diseases.

If you travel by plain inform yourself with

the flying company about the conditions

in which the animal may fly. Questions regarding the authorization for him to fly in the

cabin or in the hold, the costs and the necessary documents should be addressed in order

to avoid bad surprises. At boarding, certify that the box does not open easily (you may

even reinforce it with plastic strips). Airline companies will also have rules regarding the

dimension of the box and it’s relation with the animal’s size. Do not leave any object

inside the box during the trip. Even objects that may seem harmless may cause damage

when the animals are left unsupervised in a stressful situation. If you’re thinking about

sedating your pet take advice with your vet regarding the best medication and with the

airline company to see if sedation is allowed.

If you travel by car the planning is still necessary. The animal must travel inside a box or

with a safety belt, depending on his size. Make sure that you have all the legal documents

necessary for every country you cross, not just the destination one. Make stops every two

hours for your pet to rest, drink water and make his needs.

In case you decide to stay at hotels, make sure that animals are allowed. Simply ask before

making the reservation. And enjoy your trip!

7

Gugi Phelps Gabor

Laida

Max

Melito

Sybil

JoshuaBravo

Vasco

Melita

Piko

Camel

Vanilla

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

[email protected] 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 [email protected]!


8

Tempy

Mister Mhia Mica

Marluce Simba Lilian Mora

Baby

Rosy

Mingo Ringo

HOT STUFF

Last August we begun a project of new Bianca’s

T-shirts with ‘Zuma The Dog’ participation.

Zuma the dog is the woofilicious lifestyle

clothing brand for kids. Inspired by the family

pet, Zuma the Dog's fun, full throttle and

bright attitude to life brings vibrancy to the

range. Zuma the dog gave us the pleasure to

create a artwork for new t-shirts and support

our charity. The design for 2012 is now

available. The animal balloons are to represent

the animals freedom and release from

abandonment and abuse. This project honour

Bianca and Zuma the dog and aims to increase

the welfare of hundreds of dogs and cats that

Bianca shelters and contribute to a happier

life. Buy your new t-shirt!

Z U M A T H E D O G A N D B I A N C A


I FOUND A HOME. . .

9http://bianca.pt/english | http://bianca-pet-rescue-adoption.blogspot.com

BEFORE AND AFTER | MISTER

10

Z U M A T H E D O G

This month we started a new collaboration which aims to promote us, our work and of

course, our animals around the world. This project honours Bianca and “Zuma the Dog”

and contributes to the welfare’s improvement of the hundreds of dogs and cats that

Bianca shelters. See pictures in “Hot Stuff” section and buy your new t-shirt!

P A I N T I N G T H E C O N T A I N E R S

After a short break on the paintings, the

volunteers returned to action and painted one

more of our containers, thus contributing to

bring more life, joy and beauty to our shelter.

Thank you so much volunteer painters!

D AW G D A Y

Dawg Day In Aberdeen - Scotland - was a

huge success. The sun shone and literally

hundreds of dogs came along. FOB found

new volunteers and handed out masses of

Dog Walk flyers and sponsor forms. It is

amazing just how many people had now

heard of the charity and how many were

so interested.

W H I S K E Y B O T T L I N G F U N D R A I S E R

Whiskey Bottling Fundraiser at Catoctin Creek Distilling Company was a lot of fun! It

started with a continental breakfast at the care of the hosts and co-owners of the

distilling company, Scott and Becky Harris. This was followed by a tour of the distillery

and lesson about making distilled spirits and bottling whisky. Everything since filing the

bottles from the "whisky cow", corking, quality control, sealing, labeling and loading into

boxes. The team worked smoothly, bottling about 150 cases of Roundstone Rye Whisky.

The group was also given the opportunity to personalize the labels - many people will be

buying bottles with "Friends of Bianca" written on the label!! We sold 2 FOB T-shirts, and

to end the day we held a raffle for all those donating to FOB, with the prize of a $25 iTunes

gift card (donated by Sonyc Golden Retrievers). Thanks to supporters Dave & Catherine

Shuff Robinson, Karen Bricken, Carroll Hanson, our hosts Becky and Scott Harris and all

those who came and had fun while supporting the rescued pets at Bianca!!

NEWS of the MONTH


11

EVENTS


FROM PORTUGAL with LOVE: Sponsored

Dog Walk- September 16th 2012

Friends of Bianca will be holding new

sponsored dog walks in two Aberdeen

locations: Scotstoun Moor and Deeside

Railway Line/Duthie Park.

This event will be happening on Sunday

September 16 starting at 2:00 p.m.

Every dog taking part will receive a

personalized certificate and a handmade

Canadian dog bandana.

Trophies will also be presented to the dogs

raising the most sponsorship money.

S P O N S O R E D D O G W A L K

newsletteraugust2012

Documents

number of animals

beloved animals

association bianca

ptenglish http

new section

new items

responsible adoption

new houses