When my husband, Richard, and I first arrived to live in the Dordogne, we were quick to notice the number of stray animals. It was only many years later that we were to realize the extent of the 'abandon'. The regional animal shelters, the SPAs, were hopelessly overcrowded and euthanasia often the only practical solution. So in our own small way, we began to help them rehome cats and dogs, especially those considered 'unhomeable', such as the elderly and handicapped. And so, with the generous advertising assistance of The French News, it grew! In 2001 we became an officially registered charity - an 'Association Loi 1901.' This status allows us to be in receipt of funding - essential, as before we had to dive deep in our pockets for every euro.

There are no cages at Phoenix. The dogs and cats are fostered, not penned, and are integrated happily into family life. We operate on the principle of 'small is beautiful', concentrating on only one or two newcomers at a time, so as to give them maximum care and attention before offering them for adoption. Some stay, and become permanent members of their households. We don't put animals down. At Phœnix, every unwanted animal becomes a wanted companion.

WHAT ARE OUR AIMS?

• To respect, safeguard and protect all animals, tame and wild alike.
• To help and heal, physically and psychologically, the suffering and unloved.
• To promote sterilization and to fight for the systematic sterilization of all animals offered for adoption by shelters.
• To alert people to the desperate plight of the millions of unwanted animals, and to encourage them to adopt.
• Develop all means of promoting recognition and respect for animals as sentient beings.

• Take into our network of foster homes abused, abandoned and unwanted animals, and offer them for adoption where possible.
• Act as intermediaries between people wishing to adopt from local Shelters and the Shelters themselves.
• Run a service putting people with animals to rehome in touch with people offering homes, thus avoiding the unnecessary stress to the animal of being taken into care.
• Advise on all aspects of animal care and, more particularly, on the French animal welfare system.
• Take our aims and animals into the classroom in order to develop a responsible attitude right from the start.