During our recent visits to animal welfare projects across Madeira, we also had the opportunity to visit Patinhas Felizes, alongisde Street Dogs Madeira, in Funchal, a small rescue space run entirely by volunteers.
From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Jeannette, Sabine and Bernd, originally from Germany and now living in Madeira, who dedicate their time to helping care for the dogs.
What immediately stood out about Patinhas Felizes was how personal the space felt.
Unlike larger shelters, it almost feels like stepping into the back garden of someone’s home. The environment is calm, simple, and built around giving the dogs a sense of safety and routine. It is not a large facility, but it reflects something very important in animal rescue: consistency, patience, and human connection.
At the moment, six dogs are being cared for there, each with their own story and personality.
Some are curious and social, while others are still learning how to trust people again. One dog in particular was very timid, keeping some distance and observing quietly before slowly becoming more comfortable with our presence. There is also a blind dog being cared for at the shelter, something that was especially emotional to witness and a reminder that rescue work often involves animals who require extra patience, understanding, and specialised care.
Although the shelter is small, it is clear that the volunteers genuinely care deeply about the wellbeing of the animals there. Every dog receives attention, interaction, and the opportunity to spend time outside rather than simply remaining confined.
Like many volunteer-run rescue spaces in Madeira, Patinhas Felizes still needs support.
One of the biggest needs is more volunteers willing to help walk the dogs, spend time with them, and assist with daily tasks. Animal welfare work can be emotionally and physically demanding, and many of these projects rely entirely on people choosing to dedicate part of their free time to helping animals who otherwise might not receive proper care.
What visits like this continue to remind us is that much of Madeira’s rescue network operates quietly behind the scenes. Many people do not realise how many volunteers are working every day to help abandoned, traumatised, elderly, or vulnerable animals across the island.
These shelters may not always have large budgets, strong social media presence, or modern facilities, but they are built on compassion and commitment.
At Madeira Friends, we believe it is important to highlight these stories, not only to raise awareness about animal welfare in Madeira, but also to recognise the people dedicating themselves to this work every single day.
Thank you to the volunteers at Patinhas Felizes for welcoming us and for everything you continue to do for Madeira’s animals. ❤️