What we do …
Rehabilitation
Animals can suffer physically, mentally and emotionally… when they have been abused, abandoned or lived a life on the streets it leaves scars – we help heal those scars.
We provide a safe and secure environment, with good food, shelter, veterinary care and species appropriate companionship. Added to that is consistent compassion from their human carer … all this helps the healing process. Some just need time, others need more involved behavioral management in which case we seek advice and input from species appropriate animal behaviourists… our approach is always tailored to the needs of the individual animal whatever their species, whatever their needs.
Re-homing
Our aim is to heal the animals in our care so they can find joy in life once more and, if possible, a loving ‘forever home’ with a new family. We vet our families carefully to make sure they are a good fit and one of our pre-requisits for agreeing an adoption is that if at any point in the future, and regardless of the reason, the family cannot keep or look after the animal properly then the animal will come back to Oasis… our aim is to ensure they are safe and well looked after for the rest of their life.
Hospice Care & long term residents
Some animals have complex medical needs and / or terminal illness – for these we become their loving ‘forever home’ for however long they have left.
In Portugal it is difficult to re-home older animals as most people want young animals, especially puppies and kittens, people are also reluctant to take on animals with any behavioural issues. So if we cannot find a suitable family for the elderly animals or those whose behaviour is challenging we provide a home for them here at Oasis.
For all our long term residents we provide all the physical, mental and emotional support they need, as well as love, to give them as full a life as possible. Our general rule is that they roam free on our land – although we are careful to ensure proper integration or zoned freedom to avoid any conflicts… the safety of all our animals is a priority… to have everyone living in peace, love and harmony is our aim.
Our guiding principles …
Holistic
We always take an holistic view of all the animals in our care… providing for their mental and emotional needs as much as their physical needs.
For humans and animals alike the cornerstone of good health is a good diet so we ensure that all our animals get good quality, species appropriate diets.
Nature
Our sanctuary is a haven for nature… we leave areas wild to provide a home for any creatures that happen by… we have rabbits, hedgehogs, foxes, multiple species of rodents and birds plus bees, hornets, wasps, praying mantis, salamanders, snakes and the occasional wild boar sleeping in the undergrowth close to the stream!
Natural
We keep things as natural as we can… we never use pesticides or fertilizers. We use natural materials as much as possible. We are off grid with electricity from solar panels. We have a borehole for water and collect drinking water from a spring in the Gardunha Hills… and what wonderful water that is!