Our mission
To rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong sanctuary for dogs in need. Through humane education, intuitive animal communication, and building bridges with local communities, we aim to foster compassionate relationships between humans and dogs. We promote a culture of dignity and kindness toward all animals. Terra Canis is a place where visitors can experience our vision in practice.
Our story
Terra Canis is a small nonprofit dog sanctuary in Alentejo, Portugal. Our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in southern Portugal, and to educate children and local communities on how to care for and connect with dogs. The sanctuary forms part of the wider work of Tamera Peace Research Center. In 2002, members of the Tamera community began feeding and giving water to permanently chained dogs in the area. However, the team realised this was only contributing to the problem, and we wanted to be part of the solution. In southern Portugal, it remains common for dogs to be kept in isolation as guard, hunting or farm animals. Many receive little or no veterinary care, social interaction or exercise. When they are no longer considered ‘useful’, they are often abandoned or surrendered to municipal kennels, which often lack the resources to care for so many dogs, and where dogs spend nearly 24 hours a day in small concrete enclosures.
Terra Canis was created to offer these animals a different future. In 2012, a permanent sanctuary was constructed. It is called Terra Canis, meaning “the land of the dog”. The sanctuary is situated in 1 hectare of lush valley, where the dogs have freedom to run and go on long walks. We rehabilitate these dogs and rehome the ones for whom it is possible. Dogs who cannot be rehomed receive lifelong sanctuary care.
Alongside rescue work, Terra Canis promotes compassionate relationships between people and animals through humane education for children and outreach within the local community. Our director, Barbara Kovats, pioneers including intuitive animal communication into sanctuary life, an approach that helps deepen trust between humans and dogs and supports each animal's individual rehabilitation. We therefore ‘speak’ with our dogs - seeking their opinions, informing them on what is happening, and deepening the human-dog connection.
About Tamera
Tamera Peace Research Centre is a community established more than 30 years ago in Alentejo, Portugal. Tamera's mission is to support a global system change from war to peace, from exploitation to cooperation, from fear to trust, by building Healing Biotopes. The vision centres a nonviolent culture, including cooperation with all living beings. Through Terra Canis Dog Sanctuary, Tamera is putting the vision into practice, helping to understand how humans and other beings can live in peace.
Impact
- Rescuing and rehabilitating neglected dogs since 2012: some are rehomed to loving families, others receive lifelong sanctuary care
- Educating the next generation: children come to us to learn about compassion for all beings
- Healing souls through connection: we facilitate children, adults and dogs to rebuild trust and heal from trauma
- Pioneering the use of intuitive interspecies communication in sanctuaries to give animals a voice
- Raising awareness about the rights and needs of dogs
How you can help
Financially support us
From food to medication and vet visits, to staff support, the sanctuary is financed by generous people and organisations. Help us to continue and reach more people and dogs.
Donate nowGift your time
Would you like to support the dogs?
In person
We welcome hands-on volunteers for the daily tasks at the sanctuary, including walking, feeding and cleaning up after the dogs. Please contact us to find out more.
Remote support
Not living near Tamera? We sometimes need help with our digital presence, outreach or please suggest how you think you could help.
Donations
- Dog food (normal, diabetic, puppy, for small breeds)
- Waterproof dog coats (medium size)
- Supplies e.g. medical equipment, harnesses, bowls
- Indestructible toys