About Tiny Shelter

Tiny Shelter is a passionate animal rescue organization based in the Algarve, Portugal. While saving and caring for dogs for over a decade, we officially became a registered association in March 2022. Our mission is simple but powerful: to rescue abandoned and mistreated dogs, provide them with the love and care they deserve, and give them a second chance at a happy life.

Who we are

At the heart of Tiny Shelter is Isabel Searle, a passionate advocate for animal welfare who has dedicated decades to helping dogs in need. What started as a small effort has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of dogs. Alongside a team of incredible volunteers, Isabel works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome as many dogs as possible.

Tiny Shelter is completely donation-based

With the support of generous donors and selfless volunteers, we provide food, medical care, and shelter to animals who have nowhere else to turn. Thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers we ensure the dogs receive consistent care daily.

Years of activity

10+

Dogs rehomed

1274+

Dogs saved

1352+

Caring for our dogs and community

Tiny Shelter doesn’t just care for the dogs under our roof, we also help pet owners who struggle financially, ensuring that beloved pets don’t go hungry or without medical care.

Every month we support between 100 and 140 dogs
inside and outside the shelter and a few colonies of cats.

Food requirements

Per month:

✔️ 160 bags of dry food (15kg each)

✔️ 400 large cans of wet food

✔️ 500 patés (for medication)

Health and medical care

✔️ Parasite Prevention – Monthly treatments (spot-on or tablets)

✔️ Deworming – Every three months

✔️ Vaccinations and Microchipping – Every dog is vaccinated against major diseases, including rabies

✔️ Spay/Neuter Program – All dogs are sterilized when old or healthy enough

We are active in the community
and focus on

✔️ Witnessing firsthand the neglect and mistreatment of dogs, chained, underfed, sick, and scared

✔️ Educating owners about the basic needs and feelings of their dogs

✔️ Encouraging people to replace chains with safer, kinder solutions

✔️ Donating materials like fencing and roofing to improve living conditions when owners cannot afford it

✔️ Touching hearts and changing mindsets through compassion and persistence

✔️ Welcoming school visits to teach children empathy, respect, and love for animals

✔️ Visiting retirement homes and people who are ill, giving them the chance to cuddle and connect with our dogs

✔️ Relying on a small dedicated team of volunteers, doing this work for over 10 years

✔️ Needing financial support to continue providing materials and building proper dog shelters

It’s an ongoing mission and every bit of help makes a difference.

Donate Now 🐶

How Tiny Shelter began

Tiny Shelter Albufeira started on the grounds of an old ruin, where it operated for five years.

In September 2017, Isabel Searle was given just one month to vacate the land, forcing a massive rescue effort to relocate the dogs. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous donors, a new shelter was quickly built, and by November 2017, the dogs were safe in their new home.

A second move and a fresh start

Just when things seemed settled, Tiny Shelter had to relocate again in June 2019. With incredible support, Isabel and her team rebuilt everything from scratch in just three months.

This new space provided better facilities, including running water, electricity, quarantine areas, and larger enclosures.

Good things come in threes

After many ups and downs, Tiny Shelter 3.0 was forced to close in May 2022. But this time, with the incredible support of our generous donors, a lasting solution was finally found: a peaceful, accessible vineyard nearby, complete with old ruin, soon to become Tiny Shelter’s forever home.

The transformation was remarkable. Volunteers and professionals cleared land, removed tangled roots and wires, rebuilt ruins, leveled the ground, and constructed new, spacious crates. Every detail was designed with one goal in mind: to create a safe and loving environment for our dogs, complete with quarantine zones, medical care areas, and room to play and thrive.

By June 2023, the new Tiny Shelter was ready. It now includes 16 large boxes, 4 quarantine spaces, 3 special care rooms, a dog bathroom, and expansive outdoor play areas. At last, a true sanctuary for our rescue dogs.

How You Can Help

Tiny Shelter relies entirely on donations and the kindness of people like you.
Every euro goes directly to feeding, treating, and providing safe shelter for our animals.

Join us in making a difference!

Whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donations, every act of kindness helps give these animals the love and safety they deserve.