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| The P.T.N. Founders - Paula (at 5 years old - with Mico) |
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| The P.T.N. Founders - Alexandra (at 10 years old - with Patrash and Ninixa) |
“We cannot do great things; we can only do small things with great love.” – Mother Theresa of Calcutta
The “Parque da Terra Nova” project was born several years ago out of the common love of Paula Costa and Alexandra Oliveira – two Portuguese first cousins – for all nature and all animals, and is now, since 2002, a full-fledged reality, thanks to the combined efforts, dedication, and perseverance of a small group of people sharing the same sentiment.
PARQUE DA TERRA NOVA (P.T.N.) is located in the town of Riba de Ave, in the North of Portugal, in an estate that once belonged to the two founders’ maternal Grandparents, and where they were raised together as sisters - always surrounded by dogs of "all kinds, shapes, and sizes", as their childhood pictures show.
It is hard to point out exactly when the dogs of the family pack - which, at some point back in the 1990's, could still be counted, because one of them was actually named "Ten" - began to be joined by other dogs - some rescued by members of the family, some dumped over the walls into the premises, some brought over by fellow animal friends and rescuers, and some at the request of veterinarians, for temporary care during final stages of recovery. What became clear, somewhere in the early 2000's, was that a more organized infrastructure needed to be put together - with new and more adequate facilities, and a permanent team to provide the necessary care to the dogs on a 24/7 basis.
Although it is in our plans to make our status as a non-profit organization official sometime in the future, P.T.N., albeit being duly licensed to operate as a private sanctuary/rescue, is still not operating as a formal association, therefore not benefitting from any national or communal funding, or from any associates’ fees. Consequently, we operate on a very tight budget, relying mostly on private resources and Protectors' grants - which would still be insufficient if they were not complemented with the contributions and donations of Friends and Sponsors (“Dogparents”).
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| Paula (left) and Alexandra (right) in the present |
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide shelter and care - in many cases, specialized care - to unwanted, neglected, and abused dogs – especially dogs at a high risk and with special needs – most of which remain in our care permanently. Due to their conditions and other special circumstances – such as disabilities, very old age, chronic health issues, and lesions from severe injuries or cruelty, among others – very few dogs are actually eligible for integration in new and secure homes that will ensure, as we strive for, the care and quality of life they so deserve.
Currently, the number of permanent residents in our custody is of over 100 dogs – of all ages, breeds (including many of mixed breeds and, mostly, of non-specific breed), sizes and characteristics.
OUR CONCEPT
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| José Rodrigues (head caretaker) with several members of the Pack |
The concept that regulates our operation and makes of P.T.N. a totally unique sanctuary, is primarily based on the dogs’ wellbeing, our main concern being to ensure the best possible quality of life in a stable and safe environment to all the dogs in our custody.
Consequently, our admission criteria, our procedures, our structures, and all the improvements that our resources allow us to introduce, always bear in mind what we strongly believe each and every dog must benefit from:
Distinctiveness
Each dog has its own distinctive personality and its unique story; no dog is just “one more dog”.
Each dog has its own distinctive personality and its unique story; no dog is just “one more dog”.
Space
Each dog needs “its own space”, even in the shared spaces. These, in turn, must be sufficiently large and organized in such a way that more dominant dogs never threaten the wellbeing of the more submissive ones, under any circumstance – in short, so that the shared environment may be as natural and as harmonious as possible.
Each dog needs “its own space”, even in the shared spaces. These, in turn, must be sufficiently large and organized in such a way that more dominant dogs never threaten the wellbeing of the more submissive ones, under any circumstance – in short, so that the shared environment may be as natural and as harmonious as possible.
Attention
Each dog deserves our undivided attention, even if just for a few moments, every day.
Each dog deserves our undivided attention, even if just for a few moments, every day.
Activity
Each dog needs to be able to enjoy, on a daily basis, the level of activity and exercise that their physical and psychological characteristics determine and recommend, and that their state of health allows.
Each dog needs to be able to enjoy, on a daily basis, the level of activity and exercise that their physical and psychological characteristics determine and recommend, and that their state of health allows.
Touch
Each dog needs to be gently touched, even if just for a few moments, every day.
Each dog needs to be gently touched, even if just for a few moments, every day.
Stability
Each dog needs to feel safe, in a stable and calm environment, with regular schedules, methods and treatments, and with no rough, agitated, or impatient approaches.
Each dog needs to feel safe, in a stable and calm environment, with regular schedules, methods and treatments, and with no rough, agitated, or impatient approaches.
Comfort
Each dog needs to be provided not only with the basic and regular hygiene care, extensive to the space where it lives, but also to feel comfortable.
Each dog needs to be provided not only with the basic and regular hygiene care, extensive to the space where it lives, but also to feel comfortable.
Holistic approach
We believe each dog must be regarded as a “whole” and that none of the components of that “whole” – the physical, the psychological, and the emotional component – can be ignored or take precedence over any of the others, even in emergencies.
We believe each dog must be regarded as a “whole” and that none of the components of that “whole” – the physical, the psychological, and the emotional component – can be ignored or take precedence over any of the others, even in emergencies.
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| José Rodrigues carrying Angel - a paraplegic member of the P.T.N. Pack |
OUR WORK
Our work is done according to the concept we have just described, and that bears in mind not only the mere survival of the dogs we take in, but, above all, their quality of life.
Since dogs at a high risk and with special needs take absolute priority in our admission criteria, our first and foremost concern is to carefully evaluate their state upon arrival, in order to ensure that, in the cases in which it applies, the veterinary assistance they need is provided immediately.
As a principle, and as soon as possible, we ensure that all dogs we rescue or which are placed in our care are spayed and neutered – including those that are born here, whenever we take in pregnant females. We also proceed to the worming and vaccination of all the dogs.
In the cases of dogs requiring them, we provide physical therapy and hydrotherapy treatment programs, specifically designed according to each dog’s needs. We are very proud and thankful to have achieved fully successful recoveries in several cases of dogs with spine injuries or neurological conditions.
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| Red-Bull (full mobility recovery after discal hernia treatment at the vet clinic and physical therapy at P.T.N.) - one of our success cases |
Additionally, we assess the potential of each dog in terms of possible re-homing, and when adoptions actually take place, we closely monitor, in every case, the process of adaptation of the dogs to their new homes – and we reserve ourselves the right to retrieve them, whenever we detect the occurrence of any negligence or ill-treatment.
Finally, for those cases in which the dogs advanced age, their precarious state of health, disabilities, or any other factor concerning their characteristics and background, make their re-homing difficult or even detrimental – and this is, by far, the majority of the cases we deal with – we have put in place a Sponsorship (Dogparenting) Program that, along with the contributions and donations made by Friends and the Protectors' grants, allows us to provide the special care they require and the wellbeing they deserve for the rest of their lives.
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| Angel's first day with his custom built locomotion aid |
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