If you’ve ever visited SPAD, you’ll understand something immediately: the people there care deeply, but the scale of the challenge is overwhelming.

SPAD is currently home to more than 250 dogs, and many of them spend most of their time in kennels. Not because anyone wants that for them, but because the shelter is understaffed and doesn’t have the capacity to give every dog the daily movement, attention, and enrichment they need. When there are that many animals and too few hands, even the basics become... difficult.

We’ve seen the struggle for years

This isn’t the first time Madeira Friends has supported SPAD. Over the years, we’ve organised dog walks, visited regularly, and tried to show up in the ways we can. In Christmas 2024, we also supported the shelter with a food donation. And still, one reality remains constant: too many dogs, not enough staff, and not enough hours in the day. It’s one thing to hear that. It’s another to walk past rows of kennels and feel how much energy, stress, and unmet need can build up when dogs don’t get out often enough.

What we noticed during the walk

During our recent community dog walk, people of all ages and backgrounds joined us. One moment that stayed with us was a 13-year-old girl who came along and immediately understood the real challenges the shelter is facing. She didn’t need a long explanation, she could see it and feel it.

Some dogs were calm and gentle. Others were full of energy, almost desperate just to get out, move around, and stretch their legs. It wasn’t “bad behaviour.” It was a normal response to being confined for long periods with limited stimulation. For many of these dogs, a walk isn’t a bonus. It’s a basic need.

SPAD does what it can to keep the animals safe and cared for and many dogs do receive treatment and, when needed, medication. But medical care can be expensive, and day-to-day needs go beyond treatment. Dogs also need regular grooming and brushing to stay comfortable and healthy. When the shelter is understaffed, these basics can be hard to keep up with, and that directly affects adoption: a dog that isn’t clean, brushed, or well-presented is much less likely to catch someone’s attention and find a home. We also met older dogs and dogs with special needs, including blind adult dogs, and the reality is that their chances of adoption are much lower. That’s why consistent support matters, not only to improve daily life in the shelter, but to give more dogs a real chance at being seen and chosen.

“One hour is better than nothing”

This week, in the middle of meetings and everyday responsibilities, Lily, Sven, and I went to SPAD to walk three dogs. We only had about an hour, but it reminded us of something important: One hour is better than nothing. And sometimes that small break in our schedules is exactly what both we and the dogs need. The dogs returned calmer. We left more grounded. It wasn’t a big solution, but it was real support in a real moment.

Why we want to keep showing up this year

This year, we don’t want our support to be only occasional. We want to keep building a closer connection with SPAD, better understand their daily reality, and learn how Madeira Friends can support in ways that are practical, consistent, and helpful. Because if the problem is long-term, the support needs to be consistent too. That might mean more regular dog walks. It might mean targeted donation drives. It might mean helping mobilise volunteers who can show up weekly. It might also mean supporting the shelter in small operational improvements that can make a real difference, for example, helping speed up the adoption process where possible.

We also noticed some practical challenges during walks, like leashes that were too short or not adaptable for certain dogs. Small things like this affect safety, comfort, and how well dogs can be handled and they’re often easy to improve with the right support. We’re not pretending there’s a quick fix, but we do believe the community can reduce the pressure SPAD carries, step by step.

How you can help: walk a dog (it’s easier than you think)

If you have some free time, dog walking is one of the simplest and most direct ways to help. Even 30 minutes can make a meaningful difference.

Dog walking is available on weekdays between 11:00 and 17:00, and on Saturdays until 11:00. To help, simply go to the SPAD reception and sign up to walk a dog, each dog can go for a 30–40 minute walk.

There are also cats you can spend time with and pet. Even a little attention means a lot for animals living in shelter conditions.

Thank you

To everyone who took time out of their day to walk the dogs at SPAD. We’ll continue showing up, and we’ll keep looking for ways to support SPAD with consistency, care, and practical action.