Iain Short and Sandra Regina moved to Portugal in 2022 and, since then, have faced a recurring problem in the Algarve: abandoned kittens next to bins and starving stray cats. They took each animal to the vet to be neutered and vaccinated, always paying out of their own pockets. Only later did they discover that all Algarve municipalities have a municipal kennel that offers free neutering of stray cats — a public service that exists but that few people know about.
Faced with this information gap, the couple created the application "Stray – Algarve Cat Help", launched this year for Android and then for iPhone. The app is completely free, with no registration, no advertising, and non-profit. When opening the application, the user immediately finds the nearest veterinarian, association, or municipal kennel from their location, with contacts and practical advice. All sixteen municipalities of the Algarve are covered, from Aljezur to Vila Real de Santo António.
During development, Iain and Sandra asked for the opinion of the associations and municipal kennels in the region, and the response was positive. The local entities shared suggestions that shaped the application, which does not intend to replace the work of those on the ground, but rather to direct the right people at the right moment. After a report in The Portugal News, downloads increased and offers of help appeared from strangers, from translations to design.
The Algarve remains the focus of the app, but there are plans to extend coverage to all animals and other regions of the country. Near Estoi, the couple continues to care for a colony of cats, and for this reason created a fundraiser on GoFundMe for food, vaccines, and shelters. Iain is also the author of a children's book, "The Purrfect Rescue," whose royalties revert to the colony. The application can be found as "Stray – Algarve Cat Help" on Google Play or the App Store.
