OUR STORY
Adoption Dogs Portugal was established in June 2020 with the goal of improving outcomes for stray and abandoned dogs in Central Portugal. This is an important mission in an area in which the number of unwanted animals remains persistently high and where local municipal shelters frequently suffer from overcrowding and a severe lack of resources.
As a group, we bring to this task:
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direct experience of volunteering in local shelters;
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personal familiarity with the challenges involved in helping rescue dogs prepare for home life;
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close working relationships with local municipal veterinary services and other organisations dedicated to animal welfare;
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a willingness to care for rescue dogs in our own homes and kennels.
Adoption Dogs Portugal is dedicated to providing the dogs in our care with shelter, food, routine veterinary care and sterilisation while they are with us, along with exercise, training and opportunities for play. We aim to keep them safe, healthy and happy while we work to identify and assess suitable owners and homes for them.
With over 200 dogs rescued and rehomed to date, we can be confident that Adoption Dogs Portugal has made a positive impact not only on the local animal welfare situation, but also on the lives of the dogs we have helped and the owners who have welcomed them.
The Team
Our team is made up entirely of volunteers, united by a love of dogs and an ambition to help tackle the problems of abandonment and unwanted litters.
management board
President
Jessica Twentyman
Jessica moved to central Portugal in 2008, acquiring her first Portuguese rescue dog in 2009. Since then, she has volunteered at a local shelter in Santa Comba Dao and worked with the municipal vet services of Penacova, Tabua and Tondela to help rehome animals in their care. Today, Jessica is the proud owner of four rescue dogs of her own, including two from Adoption Dogs Portugal, and runs our primary ADP shelter at her home near Penacova.
Treasurer & operations
Ashley King
Ashley has had a love of animals all her life, growing up with dogs, cats, and chickens. She has voluntered with various rescue shelters, from walking dogs,fundraising and more recently fostering abandoned dogs. Since moving to Portugal, she has felt a deep passion to dedicate herself to the pursuit of helping as many stray and abandoned dogs as possible. Ashley currently has three rescue dogs as part of her family, and takes care of our operations, and supporting doggy foster carers.
Secretary
Stephanie Brakenhoff
Stephanie moved to Portugal with her family of four in 2008, bringing along their love for animals, including horses, dogs, and cats. Witnessing the plight of stray dogs inspired her passion for animal welfare. After volunteering at a municipal kennel, she established her own at-home kennels, offering personalized care and shelter. Stephanie has helped countless dogs recover and find loving homes and is a founding member of ADP. Among her own five dog, two adopted, one from Adoption Dogs Portugal, and an elderly dog found in the Algarve 12 years ago. Her dedication continues to transform lives, both human and animal.
VOLUNTEERS
JULIETTE SPIERINGS
Juliette is co-founder, volunteer and sponsor of Adoption Dogs Portugal. She is an Adoption Dog Specialist, trained in the Netherlands. She has sheltered countless dogs at her home in Santa Comba Dão, Portugal and has found over a hundred suitable adoptive families. Helping people to find the dog most suitable for them is her passion. Her unique initiative ‘Adopt a Dog Holiday’ is the best way to combine adopting a dog with a holiday in Portugal, and is also available for dogs that come from ADP. Juliette helps in our primary ADP shelter and manages the aftercare for adopted dogs.
SANDRA DERKSEN
Sandra came to Portugal in 2001 and seeing so many abandoned dogs and cats, she volunteered in a private shelter for 2.5 years. Sandra wanted to be able to help more where and when it was most needed. Her first animal rescue was a dog she named Lisa and rehomed. And so, L.I.S.A (Lisa Is Supporting Animals) came to life to raise money through markets and raffles. All the proceeds go to help with food, veterinary costs and most important of all with sterilizations for several associations. With five rescue dogs of her own she is an amazing example of ADOPT DON'T SHOP.
INGEBORG VAN DER KLEIN
Ingeborg moved to Central Portugal more than five years ago. She loves dogs immensely, which she attributes to the unconditional loyalty they offer. Ingeborg volunteers at the Penacova shelter of Adoption Dogs Portugal and has assumed financial responsibility for Mafalda, one of the dogs that lives there. Her support also involves weekly visits and walks, which both Ingeborg and Mafalda enjoy a great deal. Ingeborg’s own dog at home, Scooby Doo, is happier being an ‘only dog’, but in future, she hopes to adopt and/or foster other dogs from ADP.